Eastern beauty meets global fashion

On March 20, dozens of top global brands and international haute couture designers graced the runway at the 2026 New York Fashion Week Asia-Pacific Wuxi Show, held at the Nianhua Bay in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.

Throughout the event, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) elements stood out as a major highlight.

Garments made using ICH techniques such as Su embroidery, Miao embroidery, and Qiang embroidery, appeared one after another on the runway.

The Qiang people, often called "the ethnic group living among the clouds," have a long history in China, well known for distinctive cultural, culinary, and sartorial traditions.

Chen Shijiang, a young Qiang lady from Baixi village, Maoxian county, in Sichuan's Aba Prefecture, amazed the audience with her collection, showcasing the beauty of traditional Qiang attire to the world.

Some reporters visited her studio to hear the story of her deep connection with Qiang clothing.

Chen, now a fourth-generation inheritor of her family's Qiang embroidery legacy, told the reporters that the Qiang people believe that all things have a spirit.

"We use clothing as a medium to pass on the good fortune and symbolism found in rivers, mountains, flowers, birds, and insects," she added.

She said that her collection displayed in this show reinterprets traditional Qiang clothing with a contemporary design language, honoring tradition while embracing modernity.

Her work blends intricate patterns and fluid tailoring with Qiang ICH techniques, bringing traditional wedding attire to life on the fashion stage.

Her pieces have been exhibited in countries such as Italy, the UK, and Switzerland, and have also been featured in international cultural exchange events.