‘Xinjiang cotton is my love’: designers and models put patriotism on show at China Fashion Week

Fashion designer Zhou Li says her garments on the catwalk are made exclusively with Xinjiang cotton and her designs support the people of the region

Young Chinese show national unity and pride while rejecting Western claims of forced labour to produce Chinese cotton

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Designer Zhou Li holds a cotton bouquet after her autumn/winter 2021 collection show, during China Fashion Week in Beijing on March 30. Photo: Reuters

Published: 2:33pm, 1 Apr 2021Updated: 10:11am, 2 Apr 2021

Designer Zhou Li took to the stage amid applause following her runway show at China Fashion Week with a prop that has political overtones: a bouquet of cotton plants.

“As far as I’m concerned, I think Xinjiang cotton is my sweetheart, my love, which is to say I’m very grateful it has brought me such happiness,” said Zhou, 56, after her show in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhou, chief designer and founder of Chinese fashion brand Sun-Bird, is a patriotic supporter of a boycott targeting several major Western apparel brands in China that have expressed concern over alleged rights abuses in Xinjiang province.

A model presents a creation by Zhou Li. The designer supports Chinese consumers boycotting Western apparel brands that have expressed concern over alleged rights abuses in Xinjiang. Photo: EPA-EFE

She said her garments on show at Tuesday’s show, which featured slick minimalist designs with ruffles and ancient Chinese characters, used Xinjiang cotton exclusively.

“For our Chinese designs, I’m certainly right to support the Xinjiang people,” she said.