Mongolian fashion weaves together ethnic tradition, innovation

Uyun poses and takes selfies with her friends backstage at a traditional ethnic clothing competition in North China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

“We made all these clothes by hand. It’s a family thing and a tradition on the prairie,” said Uyun, 55, who teamed up with her friends for the competition at the 14th Mongolian Costume Festival held in the regional capital of Hohhot last week.

“As herders, we learned to make traditional Mongolian clothing as little girls,” said Uyun, who is ethnic Mongolian.

Temperatures in Hulun Buir can plummet to minus 40 C in winter.

“Only these, with lambswool lining, can keep us warm,” she said.

First held in 2003, the annual event aims to promote and protect Mongolian clothing. During this year’s event, a seminar was held to discuss the status, trends and protection of ethnic clothing.

“Only when children love our traditional ethnic clothing will we be able to protect and develop it,” said Zhang Yanru, a representative from the region’s tourism development commission.

A competition for Mongolian-style primary and middle school uniforms was held for the first time during this year’s festival, Zhang said.

In Xilin Gol League, the local government has established a “Mongolian Clothing Day” in Mongolian-language primary schools and kindergartens. On the day, students are encouraged to wear Mongolian clothing to school.

Courses on Mongolian clothing design and production are now offered in middle schools and vocational schools, said Uzhitunasun, director of the league’s tourism development commission.

Ethnic Mongolian clothing was added to China’s list of intangible cultural heritage in 2008.