Culture Academy：Traditional Clothing

Since the ancient Huaxia people practised grand and elaborate rituals, they called themselves Xia (great). Their dresses were resplendent, so they were referred to as Hua (splendid). The country’s rich traditions form a colourful tapestry of culture, spanning thousands of years.

As a bilingual school rooted in Chinese traditions and embracing a global perspective, BBSG is committed to fostering cultural understanding through our Culture Academy programme. This time, the focus is on traditional attire, offering students an immersive exploration of its historical evolution and modern interpretations. Through interdisciplinary lessons and off-campus experiences, students are encouraged to cultivate artistic sensibility, deepen their appreciation of cultural heritage, and strengthen their sense of cultural identity.

Timeless Beauty of Hanfu

“A cloud mirrors her dress, a flower her face; Spring’s breeze graces the balcony, dew leaves its trace."

“Silken robes sway with the vernal breeze; A red sash with jade-carved qilin radiates elegance.”

……

Ancient Chinese verses capture the beauty of traditional attire, inspiring timeless fascination with Hanfu culture.

To immerse students in the elegance and historical evolution of this heritage, BBSG welcomed Ms. Jidan He, Associate Professor from the School of Industrial Design at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, for a lecture titled Hanfu: The Beauty of Thousand-year-old Hanfu.

Ms. He Jidan

Associate Professor from the School of Industrial Design at Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts

A leading authority in Hanfu research and design and co-author of A Complete Guide to the Art of Hanfu.

Ms. He drew on her academic expertise to guide students through the intricate evolution of Hanfu across dynasties. She vividly illustrated the distinct styles and accessories of each era—from the fitted shenyi of the Western Han and the flowing, wide-sleeved ruqun of the Eastern Han to the multi-hued skirts influenced by Hufu (nomadic attire) during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. The journey continued with the translucent, skin-revealing fashions of the Tang Dynasty, the refined elegance of the Song Dynasty with its delicate flower hairpins, and the iconic Mamianqun (horse-face skirts) popularised in the Ming Dynasty, which remain influential in modern design.

Each transformation in Hanfu mirrors profound social and cultural shifts. Ms. He brought these narratives to life with clarity, highlighting how clothing serves as a living vessel of heritage, identity, and artistry.

Students attended the lecture in Hanfu, listening intently as Ms. He shared her insights

Deputy Head of Pastoral and Student Development and Head of Junior Secondary, Ms. Helen Gong, presented Ms. He with a WOW (World of Work) Mentor certificate

Exploring the Artistry Behind Xiangyun Yarn

Tradition is not only bound by history - it also thrives through vibrant new expressions in contemporary life. This thought guided a recent experience, apart from the historic splendour of traditional attire, directing students’ attention to its modern interpretations.

Foshan's Shunde District is home to a major production hub for Xiangyun Yarn, a cherished part of China’s intangible cultural heritage. This age-old craft became the highlight of an enriching off-campus study trip.

As the saying goes, silk is “gold spun by artisans’ hands.” But what makes Xiangyun Yarn so special?

How is it made, and what sets it apart?

……

Members of the “Chinese Culture” and “Cloth Design” student clubs set out to find the answers.

At the drying fields, students saw rows of semi-finished Xiangyun Yarn carefully laid out in the sun and learned how the fabric is collected. Guided by the staff, they dyed the silk using natural pigments from Rhizome of Shouliang Yam juice.

The "dyeing and drying" process was repeated a dozen times.

With insights from Mr. Zhang, the base manager, students uncovered the painstaking craftsmanship behind Xiangyun Yarn, which requires “three washes, nine boils, and eighteen sun-dryings.” This meticulous process reflects the artisans’ dedication to perfection, earning the fabric its title as “soft gold.”

Students tried making Xiangyun Yarn handkerchiefs, gaining a new appreciation for traditional craftsmanship

The exhibition hall showcased Xiangyun-Yarn-inspired fashion that blends heritage techniques with modern design

Experimenting with the material’s unique properties, students created collages using Xiangyun Yarn, expressing their creativity and artistic flair

This hands-on study trip provided practical experience and fostered collaboration, deepening their understanding of Xiangyun Yarn’s raw materials, crafting processes, design potential, and commercial value. Above all, the experience underscored the enduring significance of intangible cultural heritage and demonstrated how traditional crafts remain vibrant in today’s world.

Masterclass in Fashion Design:

The Art of Zero-Waste Garment Making

Design is the essence of any garment. After admiring the splendour of historical attire and witnessing the fusion of modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship, BBSG students embraced their next challenge: designing their own clothing.

BBSG students are no strangers to fashion design. In their regular art classes, they not only enhance their artistic appreciation and creativity but also experiment with various materials, developing practical skills through hands-on exploration.

We invited Ms. Jidan He and BBSG Design Technology Lead Ms. Ofuso  to lead an interdisciplinary workshop titled Exploring a Piece of Cloth. Guided by the principle of zero-waste garment making, the workshop offered students an opportunity to learn directly from a master of fashion design.

Students soon discovered that their hands could serve as measuring tools, alongside traditional tapes; with arms outstretched, the span between their middle fingers closely matches a person’s height. The session also unveiled the secrets of tailoring, including ancient techniques for measuring and crafting garments to achieve an ideal fit

Through Ms. He’s step-by-step demonstrations, fabric was transformed into clothing with precision like the art of paper folding

Under the guidance of Professor He and Ms. Ofuso, students practised pattern cutting and sewing techniques, creating designs that were both imaginative and wearable

Ms. Ofuso is wearing the cloth designed by herself

"This was my first time making clothes, and trying on something that fit perfectly was incredibly rewarding. I learned so much about design and tailoring”, said Kate J, a member of the Chinese Culture student club.

The excitement extended beyond the students. Heseri W’s mother, a passionate admirer of traditional Chinese attire, joined the lecture and practical sessions. Reflecting on the experience, she shared, “The depth and richness of traditional culture require patience and passion to uncover. These activities ignite curiosity and plant the seeds of cultural appreciation and artistic inspiration in the students.”

At BBSG, we believe that the more deeply a culture is rooted in its heritage, the more universally it resonates. The Culture Academy is actively planning more themed explorations, including “Ceramic Art”, “Mortise and Tenon Structures”, and “Cantonese Opera”.

Through these initiatives, we aim to bridge the past and the present, integrate disciplines, and connect Eastern and Western cultures. By fostering a deep understanding of Chinese cultural heritage, we seek to instil cultural confidence in our students. At the same time, we encourage them to explore and appreciate global cultures, broadening their horizons and nurturing an open-minded, globally aware perspective.