Xizang woolen fabric fashion show held in Lhasa

A unique fashion event showcasing the autumn and winter new collection of Xizang pulu, a type of woolen fabric, was held in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, on Monday.

Such an event marked the third year that the luxury fashion brand Sandriver, based in Shanghai's Jinshan district, had showcased the pulu fashion in the highlands of Xizang, a testament to the phased achievements of Shanghai's industrial aid project in Xizang.

The show featured 40 pulu outfits, embodying the innovative fusion of intangible cultural heritage from China's border regions. The collection integrated traditional crafts from various ethnic groups, with each stitch and thread weaving a rich tapestry of ethnic culture, envisioning new possibilities for Xizang pulu on its path of iterative innovations.

Guo Xiuling, founder of Sandriver, had previously made multiple visits to Yunnan province, exploring remote villages and seeking out local artisans. She said the crafts are incredibly exquisite, requiring significant time and effort to produce. However, these products have long been confined to family workshop-style production, primarily for personal use, with low production efficiency and limited practicality, making it difficult to integrate into modern life.

The risk of losing such traditional skills inspired her to consider merging them with Xizang pulu.

Despite the challenges posed by differences in materials, techniques, and tools, Guo's team embarked on a journey of cross-dimensional innovation. Over nearly a year, researchers broke free from conventional weaving techniques, developing new methods and ultimately creating a new set of weaving rules. To improve the efficiency of production, the enterprise developed specialized equipment, transitioning from manual to partially mechanized production.

A blanket combining Xizang pulu with Yunnan brocade craftsmanship has been launched at a high-end department store in the United States, priced at an impressive $26,800. This highlights the competitiveness of pulu products in the international market and the unique role of traditional Chinese culture in empowering Chinese manufacturing to reach global audiences, according to the Shanghai enterprise.

Reflecting on the three years, with the support of the Shanghai aid team in Xizang, the entire Xizang pulu industry chain has flourished, bearing abundant fruits. The local handicraft workshop has expanded to a second location, extending employment opportunities to surrounding villages, and increasing per capita income by 70 percent.