ICH + Fashion + Technology — Co-Creating the Future Across Disciplines. The call for applications for the UNESCO "ICH as Fashion" Fifth Workshop is now officially open! We sincerely invite you to explore contemporary fashion expressions rooted in traditional craftsmanship. Join us to engage in internationally recognized creative translation, receive authoritative certification, and contribute to revitalizing tradition through innovation on a global stage.
"Intangible Cultural Heritage as Fashion" (ICH as Fashion) is a two-year (2025-2026) capacity-building initiative launched by the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia.Through the in-depth deconstruction of intangible cultural heritage and its creative integration into contemporary fashion systems, the initiative aims to build a transnational co-creation ecosystem connecting ICH practitioners, designers, and young scholars. Following the first three phases of exploration and development, the programme has evolved into one of the most influential interdisciplinary platforms for ICH and fashion collaboration in East Asia.
July 2025 · Hangzhou · First Workshop—Intangible Heritage Protection, Ethics and Commercialization. In collaboration with the China National Silk Museum, this workshop examined principles of community partnership, frameworks for mutually respectful collaboration, sustainable commercialization models, and community-centered design practices.
August–September 2025 · Online · Second Workshop—Design Principles, Methodologies and Contemporary Pathways for Integrating Intangible Cultural Heritage into Modern Fashion. With experts from Beijing Normal University, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and Donghua University, this session explored sustainable frameworks and systemic perspectives, emphasizing craft co-creation and digital innovation, bridging ethical foundations with design thinking.
October 2025 · Zhuhai · Third Workshop—Contemporary Translation of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Fashion: Design Planning, Cultural Innovation and Industrial Synergy. In collaboration with the School of Future Design at Beijing Normal University, this workshop fostered deep cooperation between heritage practitioners and designers, exploring pathways that integrate brand strategy with sustainable development.
The Fifth Workshop, the penultimate session of the training series, will commence in April 2026. It is co-hosted by the International Centre for Creativity and Sustainable Development under the auspices of UNESCO (ICCSD). Focusing on "Technological Translation", this session explores the innovative application of AIGC and cutting-edge digital technologies in the fashion-oriented reconstruction of intangible cultural heritage.
The Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology possesses unique strengths at the intersection of "fashion" and "culture", supported by strong academic resources, extensive industry networks, and substantial experience in organizing large-scale professional events.
Training Theme Interpretation
This workshop centers on "Digital Technology Empowering Fashion Innovation of Intangible Cultural Heritage". It marks a new phase characterized by experimentation, interdisciplinarity, and forward-looking exploration.
Through a dual-driven model of "Mentor Guidance + Participant Co-Creation", the programme establishes a systematic and practice-oriented framework for empowering ICH innovation in fashion.
Following the core logic of "Decoding – Empowerment – Construction", the six-day programme consists of three progressive modules integrating "theoretical input + collaborative practice + exchange and sharing". The programme concludes with a final project presentation and graduation ceremony, supporting participants' end-to-end development from conceptualization to implementation.
Module One: Decoding Cultural Genes – Deep interpretation of ICH cores to clarify "what" should be translated.
Module Two: Technological Empowerment — Mastering digital innovation tools to address "how" to translate.
Module Three: Systemic Innovation Construction — Integrating design thinking and commercial logic to articulate "Why" translation matters.
Since its inception, the "ICH as Fashion" initiative has established a collaborative network spanning leading academic institutions, international organizations, and industry-leading enterprises across East Asia. Recognizing that the future of ICH fashion translation depends on the convergence of diverse perspectives, we now invite new talents to join the Fifth Workshop and collectively expand the frontiers of innovation.
We invite ICH practitioners, emerging designers, brand founders, and design students to join as "Future Paradigm Co-creators". Participants will engage fully in training and hands-on creation, operate digital tools independently or collaboratively, complete the digital translation of ICH elements, and generate innovative creative outputs. Together, we will advance the transformation and reconstruction of traditional aesthetics within contemporary fashion systems.
Please note: The workshop accommodates 40 participants in total, including 30 returning trainees. Approximately 10 new positions are open for recruitment. New participants may enroll solely for this Fifth Workshop.
Recruitment Targets: Intangible cultural heritage practitioners, emerging designers, brand founders, and design students demonstrate the desire and passion to empower traditional craftsmanship through digital technology and advance the contemporary relevance of traditional aesthetics.
Learning Mission: Through the three-stage model of "Decoding-Empowerment-Construction", participants will gain hands-on experience with AIGC, 3D modeling, and related digital tools, completing the full-chain translation from "ICH gene extraction" to "systemic innovation solutions".
To ensure innovation solutions progress from "academic prototypes" to "industrial implementation", we invite globally renowned think tank experts with extensive practical experience to join our faculty of mentors. As "Implementation Guidance Experts", you will undertake dual responsibilities in technical empowerment and commercial transformation.
Recruitment Focus: Scholars or seasoned practitioners with deep expertise in interdisciplinary fields such as digital media arts, sustainable fashion, and brand operations.
Collaborative Mission: Mentors will actively participate in design sprint phases and support the end-to-end industrial realization and value transformation of project outcomes.
To infuse youthful academic vitality and cultivate globally-minded design talent, we welcome postgraduate students to join the executive team as volunteers. As academic volunteers and co-creation assistants, you will deeply engage in project operations while undertaking dual responsibilities in project execution and academic collaboration.
Recruitment Requirements: A solid background in design studies, keen interest in intangible cultural heritage and digital fashion, and strong cross-cultural communication skills.
Co-creation Tasks: Deep involvement in mentor-guided sessions, assisting teams in completing design projects.
Professional Advantages: Access first-hand insights into world-leading design thinking, and your contribution will be credited in the project's final deliverables.
Special Note: This recruitment primarily targets applicants from East and Southeast Asia. Applicants must be able to attend the 2026 Fifth Workshop in person.
Kindly note: Applications must be submitted by 15 March, 2026 (subject to confirmation) via c2030@unesco-iccsd.com
Completed application form (see attachment)
Portfolio (relevant work in ICH, fashion, or related fields)
Full CV
One-page CV
