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Stitch by stitch, Miao embroidery wins new fans

2022-08-24
Stitch by stitch, Miao embroidery wins new fans Zhao Naihua (medium) and four ethnic embroiders from Miao show their work. China Daily

A Spanish-Chino businessman is promoting Miao's embroidery abroad, promoting women's income in the province of Guizhou and promoting his art traditionally internationally. Earlier this year, Zhao Naihua observed how Miao's women worked in embroidery in the municipality of Houshan de Guizhou for the first time, and was played by the beauty of traditional art.

The 52 -year -old tried to make a piece himself, to have a better idea of ​​the process.

While he enjoyed the experience, which allowed him to appreciate first hand the depth of traditional culture, he also helped him understand the difficult situation of women who depend in embroidery to make a living.

"Miao's embroidery represents the love of life and can last for many years," said Zhao, adding that in the past, he knew that the pieces were beautiful, but they didn't. He knows a lot about the stories behind them.

Miao's woman who taught Zhao had been diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago and doctors told her that she had less than a year to live. She told Zhao that she at the beginning broke, but when she picked up her needles and threads, they helped to calm her. Little by little, she learned to make peace with her condition and continue embroidering while she fights her disease, paying her medical bills with her embroidery.

The history of women moved Zhao deeply.

The municipality of Houshan, which is located in northern Guizhou, houses about 10,000 people, 40 percent of which are Miao. The girls of the ethnic group begin to learn embroidery at an early age, and most of Miao's women in the municipality know how to weave, dye and embroidery.

"An Miao outfit with machine edges only costs about 200 yuan ($ 30), but a hand embroidery costs more than 6,000 yuan. Some even cost up to 8,000 yuan A resident of Miao de Houshan who depends on his embroidery to make a living.

"Despite being promoted and driven by the local government, the embroidery market is not fully developed, and women only do enough to survive. If we want to ensure that this intangible cultural heritage is transferred and Improve sales, the market has to open more thoroughly, "Li added.

originally from Shaoxing in the province of Zhejiang, Zhao settled in Spain in 2005 and now serves as vice president of the China Investment and Commerce Association in Madrid. She plans to use her connections to introduce Miao's embroidery into foreign markets and help women earn more money.

After returning to Spain, Zhao organized an exhibition to show embroidery, including clothing and accessories. It was a success. "The work of Chinese embroidery is incredible and so beautiful. I have a deepest appreciation of this art when using it," said Madrid resident, Juan Manuel Ojeda, who visited the exhibition.

As China's textiles and fabrics are popular internationally, and Miao's embroidery are appreciated by many foreigners for their charm, Zhao saw the potential in the market.

She returned to Houshan and established a workshop in cooperation with the local government and the embroiders. He sells his works to foreign clients, promoting the local economy and helping people to make a living.

To combine traditional fashion and art, Zhao has connected designers in Mexico and Spain with embroidery in Guizhou, who collaborate on online creations. "We have done quite well. In less than seven months, sales amounted to around 200,000 yuan, and that has helped 30 women increase their income," he said.

li said: "My pieces have been sold abroad thanks to the good policies and the help of Mr. Zhao. Now I have a stable monthly income, and I am very happy." to get involved in keeping art alive.

"Traditional techniques have been transmitted correctly, but innovation is

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