In a move to harmonize cultural heritage with modern sustainability, UNESCO has launched the “ICH as Fashion” initiative, placing a strong emphasis on sustainable fashion practices. This initiative aims to connect intangible cultural heritage (ICH) with the global fashion industry, promoting environmentally and socially responsible approaches.
The Chuxiong Municipal Government and the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia co-hosted the Partners’ Meeting, which brought together key stakeholders from East Asia, including city governments, fashion institutions, ICH associations and universities, and, most significantly, ICH practitioners. This event reaffirmed the initiative’s commitment to encouraging ethical and equitable partnership with ICH communities, ensuring that their voices, expertise remain central to this transformative work.
The initiative’s goals are to promote collaboration between ICH communities, fashion designers, educational institutions, and local governments, as well as to encourage creativity in the integration of traditional crafts into contemporary fashion
. Another is to encourage creativity in the way traditional crafts are incorporated into modern fashion. In order to ensure ICH’s sustainability and transmission to future generations, this cooperation seeks to increase its marketability and visibility. By enhancing their standard of living, preserving their cultural legacy, and promoting the revival of regional cultural enterprises, UNESCO hopes to strengthen ICH bearers.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Shahbaz Khan, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia said “ By integrating intangible cultural heritage into the fashion industry, we are not only safeguarding cultural traditions but also creating new opportunities for economic growth, social development, and cross-cultural exchange.”
In the future, the “ICH as Fashion” project will broaden its scope by holding a number of seminars and educational activities aimed at encouraging greater cooperation between interested parties. In order to ensure that ICH is honored, protected, and included into the global fashion business, UNESCO seeks to establish a long-lasting network of collaborators.
