By Lu Xinyan
A cross-cultural collaboration blending Zhenhai's intangible cultural heritage with British fashion design has recently taken shape at the Sino-UK College of Fashion and Design of Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology.
Gao Ni'e, a municipal-level inheritor of Xiepu Folk Painting, worked alongside British designer Adam to reimagine the traditional art form through a contemporary fashion lens. They integrated the folk painting's auspicious "Harvest Fish" motif with classic British patterns, creating a visual dialogue that bridges Eastern folk aesthetics and Western design language.
Adam first encountered Xiepu Folk Painting at Zhenhai's Zhengshi Shiqifang, a cluster of historical dwellings. "The expressiveness of the colors and the simplicity of the brushstrokes left a deep impression on me," he said. He is now using AI-assisted tools to analyze the paintings' color schemes and composition, translating them into design elements suitable for international fashion markets.
The collaboration is part of an innovative teaching model that combines hand-drawn traditional art, AI-generated design assistance, and international design translation. Students are guided to transform intangible cultural heritage symbols into contemporary design drafts in real time.
"The students are confident, highly engaged, and eager to explore how traditional culture can be expressed in contemporary and global contexts," said Li Ling, vice dean of the Sino-UK College of Fashion and Design. She said the project supports Zhenhai's efforts to transform intangible cultural heritage into wearable products for global markets.
Work has begun on turning the designs into garments. With official authorization, Adam and his team are developing shawls and traditional Chinese pleated skirts, incorporating elements from Xiepu Folk Painting. The designs capture the simple, rustic spirit of the original paintings while adapting them for a global audience. Two designs are expected to enter the prototyping stage soon.
Students in Britain will wear the garments in their communities, bringing Xiepu Folk Painting and Zhenhai's cultural heritage to audiences around the world.