At her "She Phoenix" workshop in Lishui, Zhejiang province, Lan Jinmei is revitalizing traditional She ethnic costumes. The designer, originally from Liandu district, has won national awards for her work, which weaves tradition with modernity.

Lan Jinmei wears She ethnic costume. [Photo/Tide News]

In September, Lan and her team crafted a custom She-themed gown for actress Lan Yingying to wear at Milan Fashion Week. With only 42 days to complete the high-fashion piece, the project was a race against time.

The team integrated 10 intangible cultural heritage techniques, including plant dyeing and intricate embroidery, and worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life. Lan said that the gown aimed to convey the She ethnic spirit of loyalty and courage through its structural silhouette and symbolic motifs.

Actress Lan Yingying wears the She ethnic costume designed by Lan Jinmei's team in Milan, Italy. [Photo/Tide News]

Lan's journey back to her roots began after winning a top prize at a She costume design competition in 2014. She then shifted her focus from fast fashion to dedicated research and preservation of She clothing.

She traveled extensively to She communities, learning from elderly artisans, which deepened her commitment. Her "Yan Fei Feng Wu" series, inspired by local landscapes, is now recognized as a leading work of the national trend.

Beyond high fashion, her workshop also produces cultural creative products that integrate She culture into everyday life.

Lan is also planning an art space to serve as an educational hub. For Lan, each creation is a seed for the future, continuing the dialogue between her heritage and the world.