Dong Embroidery Revived: Artisan Blends Tradition with Modern Biz

Meet Chen Xianyue — a guardian of history with a needle and thread. As a national-level inheritor of Dong embroidery, she's stitching centuries-old traditions into the fabric of tomorrow.

Chen's specialty? 'Scroll-trimmed embroidery,' a dazzling technique creating 3D-like patterns that pop with color. Growing up in Guizhou province, where embroidery flowed through her community like rivers through mountains, she turned childhood passion into cultural entrepreneurship.

'Embroidery isn't just art — it's our ancestors speaking through patterns,' Chen says. Today, she leads a dream team of 50+ artisans transforming intricate butterflies, flowers, and mythical creatures into contemporary fashion statements and home decor.

But here's the twist: While honoring traditional symbols (think dragon-phoenix duos representing harmony ), Chen's crew now collaborates with Gen-Z designers. Their mission? Make Dong embroidery vibe with streetwear aesthetics and digital-native buyers.

#FunFact: Some patterns take THREE MONTHS to complete! Talk about dedication meets artistry.

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Inheritor weaves tradition into the future of Dong embroidery

cgtn.com