ISABELLE.C × Venice Biennale: A Celebrated Chapter on the Global Art Stage

ISABELLE.C Invited to Join the National Guoyun New Chinese Cultural Reception Hall, Showcasing the Convergence of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Contemporary ArtART IS FASHION: Reimagining Heritage Through Innovation Hong Kong-based heritage fashion house ISABELLE.C was formally invited to join the Guoyun New Chinese Cultural Reception Hall, a prestigious national-level platform dedicated to the promotion and exchange of contemporary Chinese culture, on 30 May 2026.Situated within the historic Kang Youwei Former Residence in Beijing, the exhibition unfolds a compelling dialogue between intangible cultural heritage (ICH), contemporary art, and fashion.、 Guided by the brand philosophy “ART IS FASHION,” ISABELLE.C upholds the belief that art should not merely be admired, but worn; and that heritage should not only be preserved, but continually reinterpreted and transmitted to future generations. Part I. The Convergence of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Contemporary Art As a cultural platform committed to the creative transformation and innovative development of traditional Chinese culture, the Guoyun New Chinese Cultural Reception Hall integrates resources from governmental, cultural, commercial, and artistic sectors to cultivate a globally influential hub for contemporary Chinese cultural exchange. During the event, leaders from Beijing’s Xicheng District, senior executives from China Overseas Property, and distinguished guests from across China’s business community visited the exhibition, collectively witnessing the innovative evolution and rising cultural confidence of the New Chinese cultural industry. Ms. Wang Xiaoqi (centre), Vice President of the China Traditional Culture Promotion Association and Director of the New Chinese Culture Working Committee; Ms. Jiang Ruotang (right), Director of the Beijing Hall of the New Chinese Cultural Reception Hall; and Ms. Xiong Jiawen, Founder of ISABELLE.C, pose for a photo during the event. Government officials from Beijing’s Xicheng District, executives of China Overseas Property, and business leaders from across China visited the exhibition. Within the historically significant Kang Youwei Former Residence, ISABELLE.C unveiled a curated exhibition centered on the concept of “ART IS FASHION,” exploring contemporary interpretations of Eastern aesthetics through the seamless integration of traditional craftsmanship, contemporary art, and fashion design. The exhibition presented a distinguished selection of collectible cultural works, including: Gambiered Canton Silk collections featuring prints of paintings created by emerging young artists from Hong Kong One-of-a-kind handcrafted Kesi silk masterpieces Antique embroidery and vintage silk textile collections Xinhui Young Mandarin Bracelets crafted using time-honoured heritage techniques These works garnered significant attention from cultural leaders, collectors, and industry professionals alike. From artistic couture pieces that fuse youthful creativity with the millennia-old craft of Xiangyun Silk, to the highly esteemed Kesi weaving technique revered as the “supreme art of silk weaving,” each creation exemplified how traditional culture can be revitalized through contemporary innovation. Part II. ART IS FASHION: Wearable Art As a central embodiment of the brand philosophy, ISABELLE.C transforms paintings created by Hong Kong’s emerging young artists into wearable works of art by imprinting them onto Gambiered Canton Silk, one of China’s most treasured heritage textiles with a history spanning over a thousand years. Through meticulous couture craftsmanship, art transcends the canvas and becomes an integral part of everyday life. ISABELLE.C maintains that cultural inheritance is not merely about safeguarding the past; it is about sustaining and evolving culture through innovation. When museum-worthy craftsmanship encounters contemporary artistic expression, heritage is infused with renewed vitality, enabling culture to become a living and dynamic element of modern lifestyles. The exhibition also featured an exquisite collection of handcrafted heritage accessories, including: Kesi leather handbags Vintage silk satin clutches Song Brocade jewellery Gambiered Canton Silk neckties Xinhui Young Mandarin bracelets Among them, the Xinhui Green Mandarin Bracelet is meticulously crafted from aged green mandarins using the traditional Xinhui Chenpi (aged citrus peel) production technique, a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage of China. Infused with the natural fragrance of time and refined through years of careful aging, each bracelet embodies centuries of Chinese wellness philosophy and cultural memory. This distinctive heritage piece has even been collected and worn by members of a renowned American family with over a century of legacy, demonstrating the universal resonance of Eastern aesthetics across cultures and borders. When worn on the wrist, heritage is transformed from a static collectible into a living cultural expression—one that can be experienced, appreciated, and seamlessly integrated into daily life. Part III. Composing a New Chapter of Eastern Aesthetics Between Tradition and the Future As one of China’s most significant historical and cultural landmarks, the Kang Youwei Former Residence embodies profound intellectual heritage and cultural memory. Presenting the convergence of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art within this setting represents not merely an exhibition, but a meaningful dialogue on inheritance, innovation, and the future. Originating from Hong Kong, ISABELLE.C remains dedicated to bridging traditional Chinese craftsmanship, contemporary artistic expression, and an international perspective through the language of fashion. The brand name ISABELLE.C was inspired by the founder’s daughter and reflects the brand’s enduring commitment to cultural continuity and intergenerational transmission. ISABELLE.C believes that intangible cultural heritage is not only a legacy to be preserved, but also a living aesthetic that deserves to be experienced, worn, and carried forward. Only when culture becomes embedded within contemporary life can its legacy continue to flourish across generations. Speaking to the media, Xiong Jiawen, Founder of ISABELLE.C, Honorary President of the Hong Kong Island Women's Association, Chairman of Intangible Cultural Heritage Affairs of the Greater Bay Area Economic and Trade Association, and a member of the Second Cohort of Global Shunde Youth Leaders, stated: “It is a profound honour for ISABELLE.C to be invited to the Guoyun New Chinese Cultural Reception Hall and to present our brand philosophy within the culturally significant setting of the Kang Youwei Former Residence. More importantly, it signifies a responsibility—to continue advancing cultural inheritance through innovation. The Reception Hall offers a vital platform for the contemporary dissemination of outstanding Chinese culture. Guided by our philosophy of ‘ART IS FASHION,’ we are committed to extending art beyond the frame, embedding heritage into everyday life, and employing a contemporary design language to bridge tradition and the future while sharing the enduring value of Eastern aesthetics with the world.” The invitation to join the Guoyun New Chinese Cultural Reception Hall represents a significant milestone in the evolution of ISABELLE.C.It reflects the growing recognition of the brand’s contributions to heritage fashion and marks another important step in advancing the innovative preservation and global promotion of Chinese intangible cultural heritage. Looking ahead, ISABELLE.C will continue to uphold its philosophy of “ART IS FASHION,” bringing more culturally significant and masterfully crafted creations into contemporary life and onto the global stage, sharing the timeless elegance of Eastern aesthetics with audiences worldwide.

THE POWER OF NATURE On April 17th, at Zizai Bay in Hainan, the evening breeze met the ocean, and the rhythm of the tides echoed the elegance of the runway. The ISABELLE.C closing show for the 2026 Hainan International Youth Fashion Week concluded successfully. We entrusted Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) to nature—immersed in the sea breeze, concealed within light and shadow, and revealed through every gesture. As sleeves billowed with the wind and ornaments moved with grace, we felt the resonance between craftsmanship and the cosmos. 01 Gambiered Canton Silk - "Botanical Dye" · Natural Primaries Color is never merely created in a dye vat; it is the accumulation of plant essence within fibers, a harmonious interplay of light, shadow, and air. Rooted in earth and water, Gambiered Canton Silk endures the process of "three steamings, nine boilings, and eighteen sun-dryings." Light and heat repeatedly permeate the mulberry silk, imprinting it with the marks of time. ISABELLE.C innovatively transferred award-winning children’s artworks onto the fabric, allowing youthful creativity to blossom across the garments. "Flower of Hope" by Isabelle Chen The vivid colors bursting from the painting merge with the profound texture of Xiangyun Silk. Pure passion is enveloped in calm stability, forming a distinctive visual tension. Custom Gambiered Canton Silk Dress Gambiered Canton Silk Patchwork Dress (Printed Gambiered Canton Silk × Heavyweight Satin Gambiered Canton Silk) "A Tale of 9+2 Cities" by Isabelle Chen Custom Gambiered Canton Silk Children's Wear Gambiered Canton Silk Cape Top (Blue Crackle-glaze Gambiered Canton Silk × Hualuo Gambiered Canton Silk) Gambiered Canton Silk Cape Gown (Purple Crackle-glaze Gambiered Canton Silk × Hualuo Gambiered Canton Silk) "Square Corners & Overlapping Realms" by Isaac Chen / Isabelle Chen A blend of warm and cool contrasting tones with dynamic, flame-like lines. The square structures enhance dimensional layering, achieving a creative fusion of "Childlike Imagination × Guochao (National Trend) Heritage." Renowned agricultural influencer and leading model Cheng Zhongkun (名模坤) appeared at the ISABELLE.C closing show, opening the runway in an original Gambiered Canton Silk suit and vividly presenting the fusion of Eastern aesthetics with modern tailoring. Other Runway Highlights: （From Left to Right）Leopard Print Gambiered Canton Silk, Crackle-glaze Gambiered Canton Silk, Gambiered Canton Silk Long Dress Using wax as ink to seal the fractures of time; using rope as a boundary to capture fleeting moments of the wind. Indigo dye diffuses, leaving breathing spaces of white in between, like the ebb and flow of tides, each with its own rhythm. 02 Kesi - KESI TAPESTRY Using the shuttle to delineate the interplay between void and solidity, it transforms from a flat surface into layers of intersecting blades. When held against the light, it resembles intricate carving. Gold Foil Base Kesi (From Left to Right) Kesi Craftsmanship Jacket, Silver Foil Base Kesi, “Zuo Bo Li Zhui” -Glass beads are woven into the fabric during the braiding process.  (左玻璃綴工藝) Kesi Kesi + Seed Stitch Embroidery 03 Vintage Embroidery Each embroidery pattern is like a letter written by humanity to nature. Vintage embroidery quietly reawakens on new textiles; ancient stamens bloom anew. Birds from the past grow fresh feathers, carrying time-honored craftsmanship into the present breeze. Left: Vintage Embroidery VestRight: Top: Century-old Vintage Embroidery Vest / Bottom: Gilded Gambiered Canton Silk Midi Skirt 04 Silk Antique Satin (Vintage Fabrics) As a heritage fabric, every silk thread of antique satin is steeped in time. It sheds the superficial sheen of modern satin, settling into a soft, restrained glow. It feels like an infant’s skin—gentle yet substantial; it resembles ancient jade—luminous yet understated. Twelve-Color Antique Silk Satin Top Antique Silk Satin Top Twelve-Color Antique Silk Satin Pinafore Dress Antique Silk Satin Long-Sleeved Jacket Top: Antique Silk Satin / Bottom: Xiangyun Silk Wide-Leg Pants / Bag: Handmade Kesi Bag Top Left: Antique Silk Satin Vintage Embroidery Vest + Gambiered Canton Silk Midi SkirtTop Right: Antique Silk Satin Shorts SetBottom Left: Antique Vintage Brocade Vest + Kesi BagBottom Right: Antique Silk Satin Halter Dress 05 Cheongsam (Qipao) Top Left and Right: Hand-painted Silk Satin Cheongsam   Song Brocade "Dingsheng Pattern"（定勝紋victory charm pattern） Pink Jacket and Pinafore DressSong Brocade "Bada Yun Pattern"（八達暈紋） Purple Sleeveless Pinafore Dress Renowned agricultural influencer Mr. Cheng Zhongkun (Kun) (center) with the ISABELLE.C team. Fang Kairui (center), founder of a leading domestic modeling agency and known as the "Godmother of Supermodels"; Yang Jing (right), Executive Secretary-General of the Haikou Tourism Attraction Association; and Camille (left), founder of ISABELLE.C. ISABELLE.C, carrying millennia-old Intangible Cultural Heritage techniques, steps onto the stage of a mainland fashion week for the first time. It transcends time, space, and boundaries, while staying true to its original vision: to inherit Oriental elegance and reinterpret it through contemporary fashion. Thank you, Hainan. Thank you, Hainan International Youth Fashion Week. And thank you to everyone who witnessed this journey with us.

In April 2026, Hong Kong intangible cultural heritage fashion brand ISABELLE.C made its first appearance at the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo, held in Haikou, Hainan (hereinafter referred to as the “CDF”), and simultaneously took to the fashion stage of Hainan Youth International Fashion Week (Funteen Fashion Week), completing an important milestone in the brand’s development journey. This was not only a fashion presentation, but also a practice in the deep integration of China’s intangible cultural heritage and contemporary design language, marking an important stage in which the brand officially began a new layout in the mainland market and expanded its local cultural influence. Prior to this, the brand had already appeared on international stages such as Hong Kong CENTRESTAGE, The Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, and Thailand Fashion Week. This trip to Hainan continued to promote the brand’s in-depth presence in the mainland market and formed a development path with greater regional synergy. The haute couture fabrics used in this runway show and exhibition represent a peak dialogue between traditional intangible cultural heritage and modern aesthetics. Among them, the Gambiered Canton silk print-dyeing series drew inspiration from award-winning works by Hong Kong young artists, using free brushstrokes and high-saturation contrasting colors to unleash pure artistic tension between the garments. There were also exquisitely crafted hand-painted qipao, in which the painter used a brush in place of a needle and improvised directly onto silk qipao. Each hand-painted qipao is a unique piece of craftsmanship. In addition, there were several unique kesi silk pieces revered as the “holy grail of weaving.” Every inch of fabric is an irreplaceable artistic medium, interpreting the rarity and nobility that belong solely to haute couture, while intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship shines with a distinctive artistic vitality in the contemporary era. This is not a simple borrowing of art by fashion, but art becoming fashion itself. Art is Fashion. ISABELLE.C has collectible-level craftsmanship as well as a quiet soul; it is not confined to grand halls or limited to exhibition displays. It inherits the millennia-old cultural lineage of intangible cultural heritage and blends in the spirit of contemporary art; it is substantial in its foundation, light in its texture, gentle and approachable, and composed for everyday life. It does not seek to be an artistic object for distant appreciation only, but is able to move through the myriad scenes of human life and the routines of daily existence, allowing every step and every turn to be elegantly worn. Original Gambiered Canton silk print-dyed haute couture series by the brand Bites of Hong Kong By Isabelle Chen Graffiti By Isaac Chen Flower of Hope By Isabelle Chen A Tale of 9+2 Cities By Isabelle Chen Spirits of Nature By Isaac Chen In the First Light By Isabelle Chen(Left) / In the Lone Starlight By Isaac Chen(Right) These two works by the Hong Kong young artists—In the First Light and In the Lone Starlight—are from the series Layers of Interwoven Realms. Together with their original print-dyed Gambiered Canton silk, they are about to cross mountains and seas and have been invited to the 61st Venice Biennale, the international temple of art. Dual Show Collaboration, Building a New Space for the Brand’s Fashion Narrative On April 12, ISABELLE.C presented its first runway show of this Hainan Youth International Fashion Week at the century-old arcades of Hainan. In a space where history and the present intersect, the brand redefined the contemporary expression of Eastern aesthetics through the fusion of intangible cultural heritage fabrics and modern tailoring. On April 17, the brand brought its second fashion presentation to the coast of Ziza Bay, which was also the closing show of this Hainan Fashion Week. Against the backdrop of an endless coastline, it brought together natural atmosphere and a romantic intangible cultural heritage context, further expanding the boundaries of the brand’s visual storytelling and building a more distinctive style language. Using top-level craftsmanship known as “one inch of kesi, one inch of gold,” the flowing galaxy of Starry Sky was woven into silk. The unique texture of handwoven kesi cannot be replicated; every strand of color and every line of stitching is the distinctive imprint of months of labor by artisans, making it a one-of-a-kind “flowing starry sky” in the world. Chinese frog buttons and asymmetrical tailoring are intertwined, concealing Eastern elegance and artistic tension within the details, making it a collectible contemporary craft artwork. Entirely completed by artisans by hand, it requires time and care, serving as a dual tribute to craftsmanship and art, and as a heartfelt dialogue by “ISABELLE.C” between Eastern aesthetics and world art. This is not only a garment, but also a collectible contemporary artwork, bearing witness to the weight of craftsmanship and time. Exhibition Setup Beyond the runway, ISABELLE.C simultaneously built a “dual-space” exhibition system: one space in the main pavilion of the Hainan International Consumer Products Expo, where the brand’s intangible cultural heritage series and design language were presented through a systematic display; the other located inside the Hainan Qilou Old Street Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum, exhibited together with intangible cultural heritage Xinhui tangerine peel. Within the historical atmosphere of the ancient arcades, the warp and weft of intangible heritage fabrics echoed playfully with the time marks of tangerine peel, presenting in a three-dimensional way the diverse possibilities of intangible cultural heritage entering contemporary life. Exhibition booth display Media And Livestreams During the CDF, ISABELLE.C also entered livestream rooms, bringing intangible cultural heritage fashion from the runway and exhibition hall into the public eye, making culture perceivable, discussable, and choosable. The brand insists on activating intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship through contemporary design, staying true to its original mission of inheritance and supporting young artists. Through original award-winning painted-dye creations on fabrics such as Gambiered Canton silk and red Yun silk, it interprets the perfect fusion of Eastern aesthetics and modern clothing. In the future, the brand will continue to present intangible cultural heritage in more diverse forms, allowing traditional craftsmanship to truly integrate into contemporary life. Free Trade Port Opportunities As a participating brand from Hong Kong, ISABELLE.C not only showcased its intangible cultural heritage series during the CDF, but also attended the Haikou Longhua District Global Fashion Consumption Industry Investment Promotion and Brand First-Store Signing Ceremony, where it signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Longhua District Commerce Bureau, opening a new chapter in the brand’s layout. Deputy Director Wu Xingkui of the Haikou Municipal Bureau of Commerce (back row, left), Deputy District Mayor Liu Xin of Longhua District, Haikou (back row, right), and Director Liu Mingwan of the Longhua District Commerce Bureau, Haikou (front row, third from right), attended and witnessed the signing ceremony. ISABELLE.C founder Camille was interviewed by the media. After the signing, the Longhua special investment salon themed “Using Fashion IP to Activate Consumer Industry Clusters” was successfully held, with department heads and corporate representatives from Longhua District in attendance. At present, the Hainan Free Trade Port is accelerating the construction of an international tourism consumption center, and Haikou, with the development goal of becoming a “city of fashion consumption vitality,” is actively cultivating the first-launch economy and gathering high-quality global resources. Director Liu Mingwan of the Longhua District Commerce Bureau, Haikou, gave a sharing speech. ISABELLE.C founder Camille (Middle) Group photo of guests. ISABELLE.C founder Camille (left) exchanged views with guests on the inheritance and innovation of Shunde intangible cultural heritage Gambiered Canton silk. The Hainan Free Trade Port is accelerating the construction of an international tourism consumption center with global influence, dedicated to becoming a gathering place and showcase for high-quality global consumer resources. As the provincial capital, Haikou aims to become a “city of fashion consumption vitality,” advancing the first-launch economy and gathering high-quality consumer resources from around the world through first stores, first launches, and first exhibitions, gradually rising as an international consumption destination. This strategic cooperation is an important milestone for the brand in expanding its horizon and building a global layout. Leveraging the gateway advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the brand will continue to convey the beauty of Chinese intangible cultural heritage through design, integrate art and intangible heritage fashion, and ensure that Eastern culture is seen, understood, and cherished. In the future, we will continue to deepen innovation and research in traditional craftsmanship, connect with international art resources and global fashion platforms, and continue to produce original New Chinese aesthetics; bring haute couture craftsmanship into everyday settings, transcend regional boundaries through cultural power, and step by step move onto the international stage, allowing Chinese intangible cultural heritage fashion to truly go global and take root worldwide.