Lisu ethnic costumes from Sichuan debut at China-France Fashion Week

Lisu ethnic attire from Yanbian county, southwest China's Sichuan province, makes a debut at the 3rd China-France Fashion Week. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

The 3rd China-France Fashion Week commenced at China Culture Center in Paris on Oct. 1, featuring over ten top brands from both countries. A highlight of the event was the debut of Lisu ethnic attire from Yanbian county, southwest China's Sichuan province. 

Lisu ethnic attire from Yanbian county, southwest China's Sichuan province, makes a debut at the 3rd China-France Fashion Week. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

The presentation, in a collaborative show with the Parisian haute couture brand INCLOVER, created a lively chapter for Sino-French cultural dialogue, through a dreamlike combination of robotic catwalk models and AR technology.

The Lisu people, known as "the people who chase the sun," weave their nature worship and migration history into their clothing. Their garments, crafted from fireweed harvested in the mountains, feature red belts symbolizing rainbows and pleated skirts representing the totemic memory of 12 mountain ranges and 99 rivers. 

Lisu ethnic attire from Yanbian county, southwest China's Sichuan province, makes a debut at the 3rd China-France Fashion Week. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

This craftsmanship was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of Sichuan in 2023 and included in the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Sichuan • Hundred Cities, Hundred Arts" program in 2024.

Lisu ethnic attire from Yanbian county, southwest China's Sichuan province, makes a debut at the 3rd China-France Fashion Week. [photo provided to China.org.cn]

The Lisu ethnic attire in the show highlighted the collaboration between ICH inheritors and designers from China and abroad. The "Sunflower" totem was revitalized through digital printing, the fireweed cloth was processed with laser-cutting techniques, and the cuts on sheepskin jackets were transformed into the curves of haute couture gowns. This innovation translated the Lisu people's migratory spirit into a global fashion language.

Fashion critics hailed the show for "transforming intangible cultural heritage from museum into flowing contemporary art." As a bridge connecting the fashion industries of China and France, this Fashion Week explored a model of "ICH + Technology + Crossover," sparking a "Chinese Chic" trend in Paris.

Poster for the 3rd China-France Fashion Week. [photo provided to China.org.cn]