Title: The Italy guy has been obsessed with Chinese culture for 8 years, and he amazes the world in a horse-faced skirt! Netizen: China is broad and profound
Description: Marco, a young man from Italy, has been studying traditional Chinese costumes for 8 years because of his love for Chinese culture. He recently appeared on the international stage in a horse-faced dress, which attracted global attention. His story shows the charm of Chinese culture and makes us rediscover the value of traditional culture.
Body:
Hello, I'm Marco, I'm 28 years old and I'm from a small city in Italy. My family is middle-class, and my parents are ordinary office workers. I am now a freelancer, mainly engaged in the research and promotion of traditional Chinese culture.
To be honest, 8 years ago, I never imagined that one day I would become "popular" all over the Internet because I wore a traditional Chinese costume. At that time, I was a stunned young man who had just graduated, and I was full of confusion about the future.
I remember it was the summer of 2016, I had just graduated from college and was looking for a job. One day, I stumbled upon a documentary on TV about traditional Chinese costumes. The colorful and unique outfits immediately caught my eye. I was fascinated by the beautiful embroidery, the gorgeous patterns.
From that day on, I was like a fascination and began to frantically search for information about traditional Chinese clothing. The more I knew, the more interested I became. I am amazed by the breadth and profundity of Chinese clothing culture. I started learning Chinese in the hope of better understanding the cultural connotations behind these garments.
My parents didn't understand my choice at first. They wanted me to find a stable job and live a "normal" life. But I was obsessed with pursuing my own interests. I told them, "Life is not just about making money, it's more about following your heart."
In order to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, I decided to study in China. During my years in China, I have traveled all over the country and visited many masters of traditional costumes. I studied embroidery, dyeing, tailoring, and other skills, and also studied the characteristics of the costumes of various dynasties.
I remember one time, I found an embroiderer in her eighties in a remote mountain village. Her embroidery is exquisite, but because she is old, she rarely takes on any more work. I asked her for advice in broken Chinese, and although she didn't understand much, she saw that I was so sincere and patiently taught me.
During that time, I studied with the old man every day. From selecting silk threads, threading needles, to various embroidery stitches, I studied and practiced carefully. The old man saw that I, a "foreign guy", was so attentive, and the more I taught, the more energetic I became. She said: "I didn't expect that my old bones could teach a foreigner the skills passed down from my ancestors."
In this way, I stayed in China for 5 whole years. In the past 5 years, I have not only learned how to make traditional clothes, but also have a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. I was amazed by the inclusiveness and continuity of Chinese culture, and I was also moved by the Chinese people's adherence to tradition.
When I returned to Italy, I began to experiment with traditional Chinese costume elements into modern design. I hope that more people can understand and like Chinese culture. I shared my work and learning experiences on social media, and slowly gained a following following.
Last year, I was invited to an international fashion week. I decided to challenge myself and designed a horse-faced skirt that blended Chinese and Western elements. The dress adopts the traditional horse-faced skirt shape, but innovates in materials and patterns. I use silk from Italy as the fabric, embroidered with traditional Chinese auspicious cloud patterns and peony flowers.
When I walked up the runway in this dress, there was an exclamation. Many people were attracted by this unique costume and took pictures one after another. Later, the photo went viral and sparked widespread discussion.
Some people complimented me on my understanding and respect for Chinese culture, while others questioned my deedfulness to wear this traditional costume. In the face of these controversies, my attitude is: "Culture is for communication and sharing, not for demarcation." I wear this dress out of love and respect for Chinese culture. "
This experience has strengthened my determination to promote traditional Chinese culture. I started holding exhibitions and lectures on traditional Chinese costumes all over Europe, hoping to let more people know about the charm of Chinese culture.
Now, every time I wear those elaborate traditional Chinese costumes, I feel incredibly proud. This is not only because of the beauty of these clothes themselves, but also because of the cultural connotations they carry.
Through these 8 years of study and practice, I have deeply felt the breadth and profundity of Chinese culture. From clothing to food, from architecture to music, every aspect of Chinese culture contains a profound philosophical and humanistic spirit.
I often wonder what my life would have been like if it hadn't been for that chance encounter. Maybe I'll live an ordinary but stable life, like most people. But now, I'm excited and looking forward to every day because I'm doing what I'm really passionate about.
For those young people who are still looking for direction in life, I would like to say: don't be afraid to follow your heart. The world is so big, there's always a corner for you. Your interests may seem niche, but as long as you are passionate enough, you will definitely find value and meaning in them.
Finally, I would like to thank Chinese culture for inspiring and changing me. It has allowed me to find my direction in life and to gain a deeper understanding of the world. I hope that through my efforts, more people can understand and fall in love with Chinese culture. Because I believe that cultural exchange is the best way to increase understanding and eliminate prejudices.
In the future, I will continue my cultural journey. I'm sure there are many more wonderful stories waiting for me to discover and share. Maybe one day, we will meet at some cultural exchange event. At that time, I hope I can tell you more interesting stories about Chinese culture in fluent Chinese.