STORY: China's Miao embroidery makes Milan Fashion Week debut
DATELINE: Sept. 26, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:51
LOCATION: MILAN, Italy
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RAFFAELA GODI, Audience member
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (Italian): ROSARIA RATTIN, Italian designer
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SHI CHUANYING, Embroiderer from Taijiang County, Guizhou Province

STORYLINE:

An exhibition featuring traditional costumes of China's Miao ethnic group and a show with models wearing Miao embroidery boutique clothing kicked off on Sunday in Milan, the fashion capital of Italy.

The event was co-sponsored by the Chinese Consulate General in Milan and Guizhou provincial government.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): RAFFAELA GODI, Audience member
"The Miao show that we just saw here in Milan is a gift in this fashion week. Fashion, first of all, is culture. It's really important to share this culture. This fashion show we just saw is an example of what is culture, art, and fashion together."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Italian): ROSARIA RATTIN, Italian designer
"I find the Miao exhibition wonderful. I find the Miao ethnicity marvelous. We are carrying on a discourse from the past into the future. I like this mix of past, future, and present."

More than 4.3 million ethnic Miao people live in China's Guizhou Province. 

Miao people use needles and threads to embroider patterns representing nature and the ethnic group's history in their costumes. 

Due to its artistic charm, techniques, and rich culture, Miao embroidery has been recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): SHI CHUANYING, Embroiderer from Taijiang County, Guizhou Province
"Our embroidery has a long history and embodies rich culture. We use different stitching methods and rich colors in embroidery. Our Miao embroidery has been passed down from generation to generation, with each stitch carefully embroidered by hand."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Milan, Italy.
(XHTV)