VIRTUAL ISTANBUL HERITAGE(S)

Abstract

Gambiered Canton Gauze (mud silk) is a traditional silk fabric from the Pearl River Delta in southern China. Its production relies on Dioscorea cirrhosa and river mud, producing a deep, lustrous surface through repeated dyeing and sun-drying cycles. Inscribed on China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, it depends on specific climatic conditions, water resources, and manual labor. This study uses constructive design research to integrate this craft into higher fashion and textile education, examining student outcomes in knowledge acquisition, practice, and design presentation. Conducted at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the study unfolded in three phases: lectures on history and applications; a field trip to the Xiangyunsha Intangible Cultural Heritage Park in Guangzhou, where students joined dyeing, mud-coating, and tie-dyeing workshops; and classroom experiments combining zero-waste cutting, laser cutting, 3D modeling, embroidery, and printing. Outcomes were shown at the university’s Fashion Gallery, which featured virtual exhibitions and designer critiques. Findings indicate that classroom instruction and industry collaboration provide systematic frameworks but cannot replace hands-on fieldwork. Students understood intuitively the craft’s reliance on environmental and labor conditions, informing their design work. Their projects demonstrated the potential for merging traditional textiles with contemporary techniques, while exhibitions and feedback supported dissemination and evaluation. The study concludes that integrating Gambiered Canton Gauze into design education can form a pedagogical cycle of lectures, fieldwork, classroom practice, and exhibitions, offering a model for applying intangible heritage in international teaching.