Weaving tradition into fashion

The painstaking process results in a fabric with distinctive qualities: a sturdy texture and vivid hues that once made Hong'an cloth a popular choice for Red Army uniforms.

"It is waterproof, highly durable, and doesn't cling to the skin,"Tao noted. "The bold reds and greens may seem unconventional, but they're part of what gives it its unique charm."

Determined to make the craft more appealing to modern audiences, Tao began experimenting with contemporary designs.

One of his earliest projects was weaving a scarf for himself — not in the traditional bright colors, but in earthy tones favored by young people today. Later, during a weaving techniques class in college, he cut the scarf apart and transformed it into a fashionable handbag.

"My classmates thought I was crazy to 'ruin' a perfectly good scarf," he recalled. "But at the time, it felt like exactly what my creativity was pushing me to do."

As his skills developed, Tao took his work even further. Inspired by Hong'an's revolutionary legacy — and its reputation as the "County of Generals" — he hand-wove a national flag and donated it to his university museum. He later created a flag of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and even wove the lyrics of a revolutionary song into cloth, character by character.

"It brought together calligraphy, craftsmanship, and red culture in one piece," he said. "It was my way of expressing love for my hometown — and for my country."

Tao also actively collects vintage pieces from local elders, paying generously for heirloom fabrics that others might overlook.

"These pieces carry decades of wisdom," he said. "We're not just inheriting skills — we're learning from the patterns, the logic behind the colors, and the stories woven into every thread."

In the future, Tao hopes more young people will join in preserving Hong'an handloom cloth and carrying the tradition forward.

"Preserving heritage isn't just about keeping the technique alive," he said. "It's about passing it on — helping young people understand it, value it, and ultimately make it their own. That's our lifelong mission."

Contact the writers at guojiatong@i21st.cn