A group of young designers from around the world has just completed a four-week creative journey, immersing themselves in Chinese sustainable design and cultural heritage.

From June 16 to July 11, 19 international students representing nine universities across the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Russia, Indonesia, and Cambodia participated in the 2025 International Summer School on Sustainable Design and Intangible Cultural Heritage Innovation.

Hosted by the Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation at Donghua University, the program offered a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of sustainable fashion and heritage preservation.

The summer school sessions were held in Shanghai, a bustling metropolis, and Anji in Zhejiang province, home to one of China's largest bamboo forests. The theme of the program, "replacing plastic with bamboo", proved to be timely and relevant.

Through hands-on workshops, students learned how bamboo, an eco-friendly material, can be adapted for modern design. They worked closely with Chinese artisans, mastering traditional bamboo weaving techniques while exploring the material's cultural and physical properties.

The students did not stop at learning traditional skills; they applied contemporary design thinking to create original works, culminating in a final exhibition under the theme "Bamboo Structure". The showcase highlighted a rich blend of styles, personal expression, and cross-cultural collaboration, all centered around bamboo's potential in sustainable design.

Beyond the workshop, students also explored Shanghai's vibrant cultural scene. At the Shanghai Film Museum, they journeyed through a tunnel of cinematic history, drawing inspiration from decades of evolving visual storytelling. In a hands-on ink painting session, they experimented with brush and rice paper, gaining insight into Chinese philosophy through traditional art forms.

A visit to Chichap, a leading haute couture qipao brand and a Shanghai intangible cultural heritage project, offered a close-up look at time-honored craftsmanship. Students observed artisans creating intricate embroidery, hand-painted designs, and intricate Chinese knot buttons — all integrated elements of Chinese tradition still thriving in today's world.

The program also connected creative practice with pressing global issues. A special lecture addressed topics such as plastic pollution, sustainability in the textile industry, and how design and policy can work together to create meaningful change. For many students, it was a moment to reflect on their role as future designers in a world facing urgent environmental challenges.

Nguyen Bao Khanh Linh, a student from Central Saint Martins, said that the experience gave her the courage to keep pushing boundaries in her creative work.

Daniella Eleni Savva from Curtin University noted that China's traditional practices and sustainability had already started to shape both her academic thinking and professional aspirations.

India Woodward-Leth from Otago Polytechnic was impressed by the innovative use of AI among her peers, blending digital tools with creative ideas to produce fresh, unique results.

Her classmate, Michael Shane Atherton, emphasized how the experience far exceeded his expectations, not just as a design program but as a meaningful exploration of rural Chinese culture.

Source: Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation at Donghua University