This Yi embroidery dress is the result of an independent practice where I took on the role typically held by a brand, managing the entire design, development, and production process. The design is deeply rooted in traditional Yi embroidery motifs, carefully studied and preserved in their most distinctive forms, as they serve as cultural symbols.

The silhouette draws inspiration from the Yi people's traditional "Parrot Hat" (鹦鹉帽), a garment with a distinctive curved structure. The dress reinterprets this unique shape into a wearable, modern silhouette, staying true to its original essence while adapting it for contemporary fashion.

Unlike many modern reinterpretations of ethnic textiles that dilute their vibrant colors to achieve a softer aesthetic, this project deliberately retains the rich chromatic DNA of Yi embroidery. Rather than desaturating the hues, the focus was on thoughtful color combinations, ensuring the new design remains striking yet harmonious—bold but never chaotic, vivid but never disconnected.

By engaging directly with Yi artisans from Chuxiong, this project explores the intersection of heritage and innovation, demonstrating how traditional craftsmanship can be adapted and celebrated in the evolving landscape of global fashion.

My creative practice focuses on integrating traditional Chinese textile craftsmanship with contemporary fashion, particularly Yi embroidery from Yunnan—my hometown. Through my background in fashion textile design and innovative production, I explore how heritage crafts can remain culturally authentic yet commercially viable, ensuring their relevance in modern markets, especially luxury fashion, where craftsmanship is highly valued.

This project embodies that vision. Collaborating directly with Yi embroidery artisans from Chuxiong, I took on both project coordination and brand-side responsibilities, overseeing the entire process from concept to production. The design preserves Yi embroidery’s symbolic motifs while reinterpreting the traditional “Parrot Hat” (鹦鹉帽) into a modern, wearable silhouette, balancing tradition with contemporary adaptability.

On a broader level, my work reflects China’s evolving relationship with its craft heritage—a dialogue between preservation and reinvention. I strongly believe that the true holders of cultural heritage are the artisans themselves. Supporting local female artisans in sustaining their craft and gaining economic independence is not only a step toward the sustainable development of traditional craftsmanship but also an effort to improve the social and economic status of women in underdeveloped regions.

Ultimately, this exploration highlights key challenges and insights, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and offering a model for integrating traditional Chinese craftsmanship into the global fashion industry.

Shufan Yang is a fashion textile designer specializing in embroidery and innovative fashion production, with a strong academic background from LCF. Passionate about preserving and modernizing traditional craftsmanship, she serves as a bridge between global fashion brands and Yi artisans, facilitating meaningful collaborations that integrate cultural heritage into contemporary design. The Inheritos of Yi Embroidery from Chuxiong, Yunnan, are highly skilled artisans who have inherited the centuries-old embroidery techniques passed down through generations. Their craft embodies the rich cultural identity and storytelling traditions of the Yi people, with intricate hand-stitched motifs inspired by nature, folklore, and daily life. Together, this collaboration seeks to revitalize Yi embroidery in the modern fashion industry, ensuring both its artistic integrity and sustainable development in the global market.