Recently, the apprenticeship ceremony for Huang Tiansheng— a National Representative Inheritor of Xiangyunsha dyeing and finishing techniques (a Chinese intangible cultural heritage)—was held at Tianyi Liang Garden in Foshan under the theme "Craftsmanship Inheritance, Eternal Xiangyunsha."
Four industry leaders—Liang Zi, He Chao, Zhou Hongying, and Chen Jinde—officially joined his lineage, marking the addition of new strength to the team dedicated to the inheritance of this ancient skill.
Xiangyunsha, originally named Liangsha, is an ancient dyed fabric from Lingnan (southern China). Born 600 years ago in the mulberry fish ponds of Foshan's Shunde Lunjiao, its production uses silk as the base fabric and wild dioscorea cirrhosa juice for dyeing, entirely free of chemical additives.
Xiangyunsha is an ancient dyed fabric from Lingnan (southern China).
The apprenticeship ceremony of Huang Tiansheng is held at Tianyi Liang Garden.
Huang Tiansheng has devoted 39 years to preserving the purity and sophistication of Xiangyunsha dyeing techniques since beginning his career at Xinmin Sun-drying Workshop in 1986. His dedication sets a profound example for future inheritors.
In March this year, Huang was officially recognized as a National Representative Inheritor of Xiangyunsha dyeing techniques—a milestone affirming his decades of honing the craft and mentoring successors, as well as the technique's evolution in the modern era.
The apprentices include a top designer who elevated Xiangyunsha to international runways, a garment artisan rooted in sun-drying workshops, a veteran craftsman refining dyeing techniques for 30 years, and a new-generation talent transitioning from sales to heritage preservation.
Renowned designer Liang Zi speaks as a representative of the apprentices.
"Under Master Huang's guidance, I will work with my peers to advance Xiangyunsha techniques," said Liang Zi, Golden Crown Award-winning designer and co-founder of Tianyi TANGY Collection.
In the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, talent is the most crucial. Foshan Shunde's Lunjiao will rely on the "Xiangyunsha Academy" to provide systematic training for Xiangyunsha inheritors, practitioners, and young entrepreneurs, cultivating versatile inheritors who possess both traditional skills and innovative abilities.
Reporter: Ouyang Shaowei
Photo: Publicity Department of Lunjiao Subdistrict, Shunde District, Foshan
Editor: Huang Qini, James, Shen He
