News
UNESCO Partners’ Meeting Launches "ICH as Fashion" Initiative in East Asia
UNESCO’s multi-year “ICH as Fashion” initiative was kicked off in Chuxiong, Yunnan, during its first Partners’ Meeting, marking a significant milestone in integrating intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into contemporary fashion. The Partners’ Meeting, co-hosted by the Chuxiong Municipal Government and UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, brought together key stakeholders from East Asia, including city governments, fashion institutions, ICH associations, and universities, and most importantly, ICH practitioners themselves. This gathering underscored the initiative’s commitment to fostering ethical and equitable collaboration with ICH communities, ensuring their voices, knowledge and agency remain at the core of this transformative effort.
This meeting set the stage for an upcoming series of capacity-building workshops, pilot projects, panels and symposiums, aimed at deepening the connection between ICH and the fashion sector. The “ICH as Fashion” initiative aligns with UNESCO’s broader mission to safeguard ICH and promote sustainable development through cultural and creative industries (CCIs), as outlined in the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, emphasized the importance of this initiative in ensuring the safeguarding and revitalization of ICH. “By integrating intangible cultural heritage into the fashion industry, we are not only safeguarding cultural traditions but also creating new opportunities for economic growth, social development, and cross-cultural exchange,” said Prof. Khan.
The initiative’s objectives are to foster collaboration among ICH communities, fashion designers, educational institutions, and local governments, and to promote innovation in the integration of traditional crafts into contemporary fashion. This partnership aims to enhance the visibility and marketability of ICH, ensuring its sustainability and transmission to future generations. Through this initiative, UNESCO seeks to empower ICH bearers by improving their livelihoods, safeguarding their cultural heritage, and encouraging the revitalization of local cultural industries.
The meeting was attended by representatives from China, Japan, Mongolia and Republic of Korea, all of whom shared their experiences, expertise and insights into integrating ICH into fashion. Participants engaged in presentations on a range of topics, including intellectual property rights, sustainable fashion practices, and ethical collaborations with ICH practitioners. The event also featured hands-on cultural experiences, such as a visit to local Yi embroidery enterprises and the “Lantern Festival and Costume Competition,” showcasing Chuxiong’s vibrant cultural heritage.
The Chuxiong region, renowned for its Yi embroidery and rich cultural traditions, is poised to become a global hub for the intersection of ICH and fashion. The region’s successful integration of Yi embroidery into major fashion weeks in Shanghai, Paris, and Milan has placed Chuxiong at the forefront of this cultural movement. The upcoming “Chuxiong Fashion Week” will continue to highlight the unique fusion of traditional artisanship and contemporary design, further solidifying the region’s reputation as the “City of Yi Embroidery.”
Looking ahead, the “ICH as Fashion” initiative will continue to expand its reach through a series of workshops and educational initiatives designed to foster deeper collaboration among stakeholders. By building a sustainable network of partners, UNESCO aims to create long-lasting impact, ensuring that ICH is celebrated, safeguarded, and integrated into the global fashion industry.
