Exquisite qipao (a traditional Chinese dress) designs are displayed in Yan Limei's workshop. [Photo/Tide News]

Yan Limei, a representative inheritor of traditional qipao craftsmanship in Longyou county, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, has dedicated 39 years to preserving and innovating Chinese dressmaking, turning her skills into a business that supports local employment.

Inspired by her grandmother, Yan learned traditional skills such as making knotted buttons and sewing at an early age. At 16, she made her first garment after deciding to study tailoring on her own.

In 1991, she moved to Shenzhen, where she worked in a garment factory before studying tailoring in depth at a workshop. She later studied fashion design in Hong Kong while refining new qipao designs.

After returning to Longyou in 2003, Yan opened a qipao store and helped develop the local market for traditional Chinese-style clothing. In 2009, she embraced e-commerce and became one of the first qipao sellers in the county to join platforms such as Taobao and Tmall.

She has since launched brands including Ruyifeng, Yunya, and Shuzixiu, refined qipao designs, and promoted traditional craftsmanship through digital channels. Her products have attracted more than 2 million followers online.

Today, Yan runs the Ruyi Yunhua Common Prosperity Workshop at Huzhen Smart Park, creating jobs for more than 100 local residents and helping transform intangible cultural heritage into a sustainable industry.