Tibetan wool fabric pulu takes global stage
Pulu, a traditional Tibetan woolen fabric, is making waves far beyond the Himalayas, proving that something steep in local culture can also resonate with the world.
In September 2024, a fashion show in a highland barley field in Gyantse County of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region drew widespread attention to garments made from the centuries-old textile.
Soon after, the same woolen fabric was showcased alongside the world' top luxury brands in Paris, stunning audiences with its blend of heritage and modern design.
"When I presented our ancient Tibetan handicrafts on the international stage, my confidence in our national craftsmanship was greatly strengthened. Although I do not understand foreign languages, when foreign friends said 'beautiful' to me, I guessed it was a compliment and nodded my thanks," said Kelsang Drolma, a pulu maker.
Observers said that the rise of pulu shows the global appeal of the Tibetan cultural traditions.
"That is the story of China: difference and protecting the difference of different ethnics, of traditions, of cultures, of mind too, in the union of China. That is the reality,"said Swiss writer Olivier Grandjean.
"What is national is universal. The more deeply rooted something is in ethnic culture, the more likely it is to spread around the world," said Xu Jian, vice dean of the School of Media and Communication of Shanghai Jiaotong University.
