Material Innovation and Contemporary Craftsmanship

Ph.D. Candidate in Museum Studies and Intangible Cultural Heritage, Exhibition Designer, Artist

Kathrin von Rechenberg is a German couturier and textile artist who’s been living and working in Beijing since 2000. She worked for several renowned couture houses in Paris before she moved to China to dedicate her work to Xiangyunsha silk (also known as "tea-silk") and founding her art couture brand “Rechenberg”. Influenced by the natural dyeing method of Xiangyunsha silk, she constantly meditates on the relationship between humans and nature in her works, which have been featured in numerous Chinese and international art exhibitions. She is the first international person to be awarded the title of "Friendship Ambassador for Textile Intangible Cultural Heritage" by the China National Textile and Apparel Council.

Pauline Ferrières is a French creative entrepreneur based in Beijing and co-founder of DEYI, an ethical design studio inspired by ancestral Chinese wisdom. DEYI collaborates with indigenous artisans from Guizhou province, working with a cooperative of Dong women to preserve traditional craftsmanship threatened by fast fashion. Their slow fashion collection redefines "Made in China" by celebrating quality and authenticity. DEYI also hosts creative residencies in the Guizhou mountains, offering international students and artists the chance to learn traditional crafts and blend them with contemporary design.

Yao Bangliang is a young lacquer artist. He was the winner of the 3rd Prix Yishu 8·Golden Phoenix in 2023. Yao has held solo exhibitions in Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities and has participated in numerous influential handicraft exhibitions in China and abroad.