The Nanning Museum, situated in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in South China, has become a popular tourist destination due to an exquisite black pleated skirt with vibrant ethnic design elements. The designer behind this stunning creation is none other than Giancarlo Mossi Borella, a renowned Milanese designer, and it is a standout feature of the museum’s collection. Borella’s design is a perfect blend of Western fashion art and elements from various ethnic groups in China. He drew inspiration from the intricate customs of these groups and incorporated their aesthetics into the dress.
The black color of the dress holds significant importance for certain ethnic groups, and Borella paid homage to this tradition by incorporating it into the design. The dress boasts pleated outer yarn on the top and lower skirt, which adds a delightful texture to the garment. To further enhance its cultural authenticity, Borella decorated the dress with handicraft belts, headdresses, and accessories that are emblematic of these ethnic groups.
According to Yosmany Larrea, Borella’s assistant, “Before designing this dress, we were inspired by Guangxi’s Zhuang brocade, and it took me two weeks to choose the color to match the belt pattern. It can be said that we (Italy) make the house of the concept, but you (China) made the heart of the house.” This statement reflects the collaboration between Borella and the Chinese ethnic groups’ customs, which resulted in the creation of an exceptional piece of fashion art.
Borella’s dress has attracted tourists from all over the world, who visit the Nanning Museum to take pictures of this masterpiece. The dress’s unique design and vibrant ethnic elements have made it a crowd puller and a popular attraction among fashion enthusiasts.
The fusion of Western fashion art and ethnic elements from China has resulted in a beautiful and unique dress that represents the country’s diverse culture. Borella’s attention to detail and his dedication to incorporating the traditional customs of these ethnic groups into his design have created a garment that is not only visually stunning but also culturally significant.
The black pleated skirt with vibrant ethnic design elements has become a symbol of the collaboration between Western fashion art and the traditional customs of China’s ethnic groups. Borella’s creation has helped promote cultural exchange and has given tourists
The black pleated skirt with vibrant ethnic design elements, created by Giancarlo Mossi Borella, has become a popular attraction at the Nanning Museum. The dress’s design is a fusion of Western fashion art and elements from ethnic groups in China, paying homage to their intricate customs and aesthetics. Its cultural authenticity and attention to detail have made it a crowd puller and a popular destination for tourists, promoting cultural exchange and showcasing China’s rich cultural heritage.
Borella and Larrea share a deep appreciation for ethnic cultures, and their interest in Guangxi’s ethnic groups dates back to 2018. In December 2019, they took a team of Italian designers to Nanning and Longzhou to witness the skills of the Zhuang people in creating brocade fabrics. Upon arriving at the workshop, Borella was awestruck and felt like he had stepped into a magical land.
The weaving skills of the local people were impressive, and the Zhuang brocade was beautiful. Borella had the opportunity to touch the materials and was inspired to incorporate these ethnic elements into his designs immediately. This visit to Guangxi served as a source of inspiration for Borella and fueled his desire to promote and preserve valuable aspects of Chinese culture through his designs.
Borella’s visit to Guangxi was an eye-opener for him, and he was impressed by the skills of the local people and their rich cultural heritage. He wanted to incorporate the elements of Zhuang brocade into his designs and share them with the world. This would be a way to promote the culture and preserve it for future generations.
Larrea also shared her thoughts on the importance of ethnic culture and art in people’s daily lives and production practices in China’s ethnic group areas. According to her, the Zhuang brocade is not only a form of culture but also a carrier of culture. Its significance goes beyond its aesthetic appeal and encompasses the cultural heritage and practices of the Zhuang people.
Borella’s and Larrea’s visit to Guangxi not only provided them with the inspiration to incorporate ethnic elements into their designs but also helped them gain a deeper understanding of the Zhuang people’s culture and traditions. By incorporating these elements into his designs, Borella has created a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Guangxi’s ethnic groups.
Borella’s and Larrea’s visit to Guangxi’s ethnic group areas was a pivotal moment in their appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture. Their encounter with the skills of the local people in creating brocade fabrics inspired Borella to incorporate ethnic elements into his designs. The Zhuang brocade not only has an aesthetic appeal but also serves as a carrier of the Zhuang people’s culture and traditions. Through their designs, Borella and Larrea have provided a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Guangxi’s ethnic groups.
He Ka, the head of Guangxi Jinzhuangjin Culture and Art, has been devoted to promoting local ethnic culture to the world. To achieve this goal, He has collaborated closely with Borella and his team to establish a productive exchange and cooperation between them.
He’s company has formed a partnership with the China-Italy Cultural Exchange Association and Italian designers to establish the Guangxi Zhuang brocade brand operation team and create their own brand, Donna Hecca. This brand is registered in both China and Italy and offers a range of products, including clothing and accessories.
The exhibition hall of He’s company displays a variety of handbag samples, which use raw materials with distinctive ethnic characteristics sourced from China. Borella and his team design the products, which are then produced in Italy, providing a unique blend of cultures.
By combining Italian heritage and Guangxi’s ethnic culture, Donna Hecca can break free from traditional design concepts and create a new fusion that integrates design elements from both countries. This combination results in an exceptional design that highlights the cultural diversity of both nations, according to He.
Donna Hecca is expanding its product line to include perfume under the same brand. Guangxi is abundant in raw materials suitable for perfume production, making it an ideal location for sourcing ingredients.
Currently, two teams from China and Italy are communicating online to determine patterns, styles, fabrics, and other details. Through this collaboration, they hope to introduce more unique products that promote the local culture to the world.
Borella has stated that the Zhuang brocade has a promising market in Europe. By using modern design concepts to present the culture and history of Chinese ethnic groups to Western consumers, they can further promote the ethnic culture represented by the Zhuang brocade in Europe.
The partnership between He’s company and Italian designers has opened a new market for Guangxi’s ethnic products, allowing the world to see the beauty and unique features of Chinese culture. With the cooperation of Italian designers and the China-Italy Cultural Exchange Association, Donna Hecca is poised to become a brand that represents the fusion of Western and Chinese cultures.
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