Sino-Italian fashion industry dialogue held in Chengdu to explore new paths for design exchanges and market cooperation

China News Service, Chengdu, November 9 (Xuan Jinwan) On the 9th, the "Rong-Europe Industrial Dialogue: Cross-regional Symbiosis, Sino-Italian Fashion Design and Intangible Cultural Heritage Innovation Industry Matchmaking Conference and Intangible Cultural Heritage Innovation Exhibition" was held at the Western China Advanced Customization Center in Jinniu District, Chengdu. Fashion institutions, schools, and enterprises from China and Italy conducted exchanges around topics such as traditional craft innovation, design talent training, and internationalization of cultural products, and explored more possibilities for the development of the modern fashion industry.

Shi Qifan, Consul General of the Consulate General of Italy in Chongqing, said in an interview that the fashion industry not only involves commodity production, but also carries profound historical and cultural traditions. Italy has certain advantages in fashion design and manufacturing, while Chengdu has a large consumer market and rich regional cultural resources. The two sides have complementary space for industrial cooperation. He believes that the cultural characteristics of Chengdu can provide new creative inspiration for Italian designers. At present, it is also necessary for more Italian people to understand Chengdu's industrial development and technological strength, and to find cooperation opportunities based on mutual understanding.

Yang Hao, full-time vice president of the Chengdu People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said in his speech that Chengdu has traditional handicraft resources such as Shu brocade and Shu embroidery. In recent years, it has continued to promote the integration of traditional skills with modern consumption scenarios and explore international development paths. It is hoped that through this event, we can promote the integration of Italian fashion design concepts and Chengdu’s traditional skills, deepen cooperation between schools and enterprises, jointly cultivate creative talents, and rely on cross-border e-commerce, international logistics and other advantages to explore the market in both directions.

How to integrate traditional crafts into contemporary design is also the focus of this exchange. Ma Xiaoli, vice president of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, believes that Chengdu’s cultural heritage and creativity are its unique advantages in developing the fashion industry. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and modern design should not just be a simple copy of the past, but should incorporate contemporary design concepts on the basis of retaining traditional production techniques, so that traditional culture can enter daily life in a new form.

In Ma Xiaoli’s view, China and Italy still need to further increase exchanges between designers, enterprises and traditional workshops. In addition to cultural exchanges, both parties should also discuss from a commercial level, clarify cooperation methods, promote resource sharing, and explore specific paths to enter the Chinese and European markets.

Wang Xiaoran, head of operations of the Western China Advanced Customization Center, said that this event provides a new opportunity for Chengdu’s fashion industry to establish connections with international resources. In the future, we hope to use the resources of international institutions, design schools and enterprises to promote Chengdu's local design, brand and culture to a broader international market.

During the event, the two sides also held round-table dialogues on topics such as talent cultivation and the export of Chinese culture overseas. The "Fashion Industry Laboratory (Chengdu)" was launched at the same time. The laboratory was jointly built by the Western China Advanced Customization Center and Marangoni (Shanghai) Design Institute. The first training practice project was launched simultaneously, and the courses are scheduled to start on November 17.

In addition, the innovation exhibition held from November 9 to 11 focused on traditional crafts and related design works such as Sichuan embroidery, bamboo carving, bamboo weaving, and lacquerware, providing citizens with opportunities to observe, experience, and consume.