China's 8th Textile Heritage Conference unites tradition and innovation

Qian Xiaoping, a national master of Song brocade weaving, shared her thoughts on innovation within traditional crafts. "Innovation spans appearance, texture, techniques, tools and applications," she said, addressing challenges such as a lack of skilled young talent, insufficient research funding and limited societal awareness of ICH. Qian stressed the need for long-term investment in talent and sustainable development strategies.

Zhao Yingming, vice-president of JD, explored the potential of integrating traditional culture with modern consumer trends. "For national brands to thrive, they must innovate in sales, pricing and product development to meet evolving market demands," he said, pointing to the competitive edge of culturally inspired products.

A highlight of the conference was the ICH fashion show on Nov 14, which showcased a seamless blend of traditional Chinese textile craftsmanship and contemporary design. Models brought the rich heritage of Chinese textiles to life, celebrating their timeless allure and modern relevance.