Vibrant Xinjiang: Ethnic culture shines on fashion stage

2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Home to various ethnic groups including the Uygur, Kazakh, and Kirgiz, this is a fertile land where compatriots of all ethnic groups walk hand in hand, writing a vivid and lively chapter of happiness.

Among them is Guyay, a Kirgiz young lady from Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang, who has also graced the runways at Milan Fashion Week as a contracted model. Growing up in a yurt, Guyay takes pride in her identity as a member of the Chinese nation. Growing up, she has been listening to Manas – one of China's three great epics – sung by her grandmother and mother. In recent years, Guyay has returned to her hometown to organize the Xiji Fashion Show. Breaking away from traditional forms, she invited local villagers to participate, used rural plants and ethnic musical instruments as elements of the show venue, and integrated ethnic intangible cultural heritage with rural culture. Her efforts bringing ethnic traditions to life on the fashion stage.