Two cousins, 56-year-old Uncle Yang from Fujian and his older cousin Uncle Song from Heilongjiang, have launched a project to revitalize traditional ethnic brocade. Despite growing up in different parts of China, the two reunited in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region to pursue a shared interest in fashion design. Their business model involves modernizing traditional fabric patterns and promoting the resulting clothing line through social media videos.

A notable aspect of their marketing strategy is the cousins’ decision to model the clothing themselves. This includes wearing garments traditionally designed for women, a choice that has drawn both public attention and internal family friction. According to the South China Morning Post, the men proceeded with their business venture despite explicit objections from their family members regarding their unconventional approach to promotion.

The project highlights a trend of using digital platforms to preserve and commercialize regional textile traditions. By blending traditional craftsmanship with modern, eye-catching presentation, the cousins have successfully reached a global customer base. While the report focuses on the success of their business and the aesthetic appeal of the redesigned fabric, it also notes the personal and social challenges the men navigated to bring their vision to market.