Chinese fashion designer Zhao Juan, who has showcased her designs at global events, had a transformative experience during a 2016 field trip to the Xizang autonomous region. She was inspired by the dedication of locals who worked to preserve Tibetan culture and the beauty of the plateau’s wildlife. She met Song Ming, a teacher and founder of a nonprofit school that teaches traditional crafts to underprivileged children, and learned about the work of the Friends of Himalayan Creatures, which documents the stories of endangered plateau creatures through documentaries. These encounters inspired Zhao to see fashion as a way to promote dialogue between humans and nature, and she began to create clothing and accessories that blend aesthetic appeal with ecological awareness.
