Poetry in Motion: ISABELLE.C’s Debut Showcase at Hainan Youth International Fashion Week

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.  

The elegant poise of Western equestrianism fused with millennia-old Eastern Intangible Cultural Heritage at the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show (January 30–February 1). ISABELLE.C, in celebration of the Year of the Horse, ISABELLE.C partnered with Chinese fashion platform ZHUOJIAREN to present its exquisite craftsmanship on the runway. This marks ISABELLE.C's second consecutive year at the event, where the brand debuted last year. Guided by "Embody Eastern Grace, Redefine Western Elegance," ISABELLE.C presented an immersive booth highlighting intricate textures and returned to the runway with a new collection, seamlessly weaving traditional craftsmanship into modern design narratives. 01  ISABELLE.C Runway Showcase: Heritage Craftsmanship in Motion The ISABELLE.C runway reimagined Intangible Cultural Heritage as flowing visual poetry, transforming the show into a moving cultural corridor. Featuring 26 experienced ZHUOJIAREN models, brand friends, and children, the 100+ ready-to-wear and haute couture pieces embodied "Bringing Intangible Cultural Heritage into everyday life." Opening Highlights Renowned equestrian rider Ms. Zascha Nygaard led 17 children dressed in original brand-designed capes from the booth area. The capes showcased lively pony designs co-created by young Isaac Chen, Isabelle Chen, and designer Rhea Pang—their innocent brushstrokes symbolizing how cultural heritage takes root in the next generation. Ms. Camille Xiong, the founder of ISABELLE.C, joined distinguished guests to light the opening at the runway gala during the 2026 Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show. Attendees included civic leaders, industry figures, academics, and equestrian personalities, underscoring the event's cultural prestige. Notable Guests Ms .Jin Ling (M.H.), appointed councilor of the Central and Western District Council of Hong Kong and chairperson of the Hong Kong Island Women's Federation. Mr.Liu HonFai, (BBS KCSJ JP), founding Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong Southern District Business Association and Chairman of the Shunde Friendship Association. Mr. Chan SiuHin, chairman of the Hong Kong Southern District Business Association Mr. Richard Ireland, CEO of Clarion Events Asia (event organizer), with his son. Dr. Zhi Tianhao, Assistant Professor at Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University. Ms. He Simin, founding Chairperson of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Inheritance Promotion Association. Mr. Zhuo Fan, prominent Chinese model instructor and founder of ZHUOJIAREN fashion brand. Ms. Zascha Nygaard, renowned equestrian rider. 17 children, dressed in custom-made capes with horse pattern, joined the guests in opening the grand fashion show. The fashion show featured three distinct segments—experienced models, VIP guests, and parent-child groups—each presenting Intangible Cultural Heritage in unique styles, highlighting its diverse charm and timeless elegance, while collectively showcasing heritage craftsmanship across generations.ISABELLE.C's Kesi Haute Couture Series for the Year of the Horse   Intangible Cultural Heritage Zhang Velvet Cape Coat Five Great Brocade Series Left: Kesi Patchwork-style Long Coat Right: Silver-twist Kesi Weave Suit. Left: Song brocade combined with Gambiered Canton Silk craftsmanship, a fusion of Double Intangible Cultural Heritage  Right: Handcrafted Kesi Qipao  Left: Vintage Embroidery Suit Right: Intangible Cultural Heritage - Bead Embroidery Velvet Top Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage - Kesi Weave Series Silk Satin Series Tie-Dye / Bean Dye Series Gambiered Canton Silk Design (Inspired by Isaac Chen’s and Isabelle Chen’s Original Paintings) Gambiered Canton Silk Design (Inspired by Isaac Chen’s Original Paintings) The parent-child runway segment featured designs derived from Hong Kong children's original artworks, printed onto fabrics and reinterpreted by ISABELLE.C to embody cultural heritage's enduring spirit. ISABELLE.C: "Flower of Hope" Dress The pattern drew from Isaac Chen’s original oil paintings, the artwork blooms beyond color into enduring Eastern imagery—playful motifs evoking growth, much like pony designs on child-led capes, symbolizing heritage's vitality across generations. Gambiered Canton Silk Design (Inspired by Isabelle Chen’s Original Paintings) Plant Dyeing (Gambiered Canton silk & Natural Dyeing) Series Gambiered Canton Silk Qipao / Cheongsam Left: Vintage Embroidered Cashmere Top Right: Vintage Embroidered Lambskin Top Vintage Embroidery Series Custom-made Heritage Intangible Cultural Heritage Children's Gala Dress Under international spotlights at the 2026 Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, models wove Intangible Cultural Heritage craftsmanship into contemporary designs, creating flowing Eastern paintings with each step. Every stitch carried millennia of time, while patterns and textures radiated civilization's warmth. This transcended fashion, forging a profound dialogue between equestrian spirit and Eastern aesthetics—reviving ancient cultural pulses to resonate powerfully today. Group Photo of Models Group Photo of Zhuojiaren Models Group photo of guests from the Hong Kong Southern District Federation of Industry and Commerce guests Group photo of guests from the Hong Kong Island Women's Federation Mr. Zhuo Fan, Renowned Chinese Model Mentor & Founder of ZHUOJIaren Fashion Brand (Left), with Camille, Founder of ISABELLE.C (Right) Group photo with Ms. Li, Senior Expert in Chinese Language Education (5th from left, back row) 02 ISABELLE.C Guest Sharing Session ISABELLE.C's showcase included a special guest sharing session exploring "Contemporary Coexistence of Chinese Design,Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Equestrian Culture." Three distinguished guests engaged in an in-depth discussion on modern paths of cultural integration. The panel bridged the runway's heritage craftsmanship—like Five Great Brocades and child-inspired designs—with equestrian elegance, highlighting coexistence in today's global context. 1st from the left: Speech by Camille, the brand principal of ISABELLE.C. Middle: Speech by Dr. Zhi Tianhao,Assistant Professor at Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University 2nd from the left: Speech by Ms. He Simin, founding chairperson of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Heritage Promotion Association The three distinguished guests shared insights during ISABELLE.C's sharing session, jointly exploring modern pathways for Intangible Cultural Heritage transmission. Their dialogue sparked deep audience reflections on cultural inheritance.  Backstage Moments   03 ISABELLE.C Immersive Brand Booth Beyond the runway spectacle, ISABELLE.C created a dedicated artistic booth at the 2026 Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, inviting global guests for up-close craftsmanship experiences. The space offered tactile interactions with Five Great Brocades, Kesi weaving, vintage embroidery, and child-inspired Gambiered Canton silk / paintings - extending the cultural corridor from runway to hands-on engagement. ISABELLE.C's booth at the 2026 Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show drew crowds admiring its Intangible Cultural Heritage collection. Guests paused to photograph pieces showcasing Five Great Brocades, Kesi Tapestry, and vintage embroidery, with many international visitors deeply moved by China's exquisite craftsmanship. The space buzzed continuously, resembling a quiet yet enduring cultural conversation amid the lively atmosphere—extending runway immersion into personal discovery.   ISABELLE.C Handicraft Workshop: Hands-On Heritage Creations The true vitality of Intangible Cultural Heritage lies in the transition from “viewing” to genuine experience. ISABELLE.C's Intangible Cultural Heritage workshop enabled guests to craft personal items using traditional techniques, encouraging guests to shift from passive viewing to active cultural engagement through experiences such as: Mother-of-Pearl (Luodian) Crafts: Creating hairpins, earrings, and accessories by inlaying shimmering shells into wooden bases. Gambiered Canton Silk Painting: Painting custom designs on framed Gambiered Canton silk panels. Song and Zhuang Brocade Motifs: Transformed heritage fabrics into functional keepsakes—specifically, small horse-shaped accessories hand-sewn with authentic Song brocade or Zhuang brocade patches. Guests crafted Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) small accessories at ISABELLE.C's booth Since its establishment, ISABELLE.C has continued to expand its presence on the international stage. Beyond the Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show, ISABELLE.C has participated in a wide spectrum of global fashion showcases and exhibitions, including renowned platforms such as Hong Kong CENTRESTAGE and Thailand Fashion Week. The brand has also independently presented a signature runway show at Art of Nature Contemporary Gallery in Central, Hong Kong, further demonstrating its creative independence and curatorial vision. Through sustained engagement with global fashion audiences and cultural platforms, ISABELLE.C is steadily building a distinctive international presence rooted in Eastern heritage aesthetics. By bringing Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage craftsmanship into contemporary fashion narratives, the brand continues to strengthen its visibility across key cultural and fashion capitals, steadily expanding its international presence across Asia and beyond. Looking ahead, ISABELLE.C remains dedicated to deepening the dialogue between heritage and modernity. The brand will continue exploring innovative expressions of Intangible Cultural Heritage through sustainable materials, contemporary design language, and cross-cultural collaboration — integrating Eastern craftsmanship into contemporary global lifestyles.   Contact Us