Under the soft glow of the afternoon sun, Haikou’s historic Qilou Old Street on the Chinese mainland’s tropical island of Hainan transformed into a living gallery of intangible cultural heritage. The runway show, a first-of-its-kind event, married the delicate art of Chinese paper-cutting with contemporary fashion and market trends, drawing curious crowds and sparking cross-cultural conversations.
Local artisans and emerging designers took inspiration from centuries-old motifs—birds, flowers and landscapes—to craft wearable art that danced down the street’s colonial-era arcades. The interplay of tradition and innovation highlighted how ancient skills can find new life in today’s global marketplace, appealing to young entrepreneurs and tech-savvy creators alike.
Beyond the stunning visuals, the event offered a data-driven glimpse into sustainable cultural tourism. Social media streams buzzed with live footage and behind-the-scenes interviews, while travelers and digital nomads swapped tips for exploring Hainan’s hidden gems. This merger of offline heritage and online engagement underscores a broader trend of immersive experiences shaping modern travel and creative economies.
For thought leaders and changemakers, the show served as a reminder that preserving intangible heritage fuels community pride and economic opportunity. By spotlighting paper-cutting at a fashion-forward runway, organizers bridged cultural history with future-driven design—an inspiring model for global cities seeking to celebrate and sustain their unique traditions.
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Hainan Qilou Old Street presents intangible cultural heritage show
cgtn.com
