The following is a self-narrative by designer Gu Axin:
In March 2024, I had the honor of bringing my 62-year-old mother to Beijing to participate in China International Fashion Week. It was her first time in Beijing and her first time on the China International Fashion Week runway. She felt fulfilled to be on such an international fashion stage, but little did we know that her fashion journey was just beginning…
About Gu Axin
A Miao ethnic designer and rising star, Gu Axin is an ambassador for Chinese textile intangible cultural heritage, a member of the Fashion Arts Committee of the China Fashion Designers Association, and has won several awards, including:
The “Most Inherited Designer” Award at the 2019 Southwest China International Children’s Fashion Week.
The “Ethnic Inheritance” Award at the 2020 Maritime Silk Road Fashion Week.
The “Golden Praise Award for Ethnic Innovation” at the 2021 AFC Asian Fashion Brands.
The “Fashion Designer” Award at the inaugural Yiwu Fashion Week.
The “Innovation in Intangible Cultural Heritage” Award at the 2024 Starlight Night of China International Fashion Week.
Bringing My Hometown to the Runway
In March, a video of me and my mother “running” from Guizhou to Beijing for China International Fashion Week went viral. Many people thought that was the end, but in April, we “ran” to Belgium, Germany, and Hungary. In May, we made it to the Paris Expo and London Craft Week. Our works appeared on the front pages of major international media outlets, and we realized that so many people appreciated our ethnic designs.
In July, we returned to Kaili, Guizhou, back to the Miao village. We held a show named “Village T” to present our years of work to our fellow villagers. Many villagers also wore their traditional ethnic clothing to join the show. Due to the large number of attendees, we had to schedule people weekly and monthly for shows. This is how “Guizhou Village T” was born.
The inspiration for this season comes from what the villagers showcased on the “Guizhou Village T” runway. They didn’t just display beautiful ethnic clothing but also expressed their longing for a better life and confidence in their ethnic culture.
Design Concept
“My hometown, Kaili, has an old embroidery market called ‘Xiu Li Tao,’ which has nearly a million old embroidery pieces from different regions, ethnic groups, and time periods. Due to their age, the fabric’s base has become worn and fragile, but the delicate embroidery still shines through. So this year, we are embracing the concept of ‘new life for old embroidery,’ incorporating sustainability through the reuse of old fabric and embroidery in our fashion creations.”
“Innovation in intangible cultural heritage is something we’ve always pursued. In this season’s show, you will still see ethnic elements like Miao embroidery, Dong embroidery, Shui horse-tail embroidery, Buyi appliqué embroidery, Zhuang backstrap embroidery, Miao silver jewelry, and Miao batik. By combining these with modern design, we aim to empower intangible heritage with fashion and bring it into the fashion world.”
Special Thanks
The Fashion Arts Committee of the China Fashion Designers Association served as the guiding body for the “Guizhou Village T Intangible Heritage Fashion Show.”
