Grassroots models from Guizhou walk runway at New Zealand Fashion Week

Twenty-five grassroots models from Guizhou province take the stage at New Zealand Fashion Week. [Photo by Liu Qing/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Twenty-five grassroots models from Guizhou province recently took the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week, bringing traditional ethnic clothing from rural communities to an international audience.

The models come from ethnic groups including the Miao, Dong, and Shui. Their ages range from 6 to 72. Many are regulars on Guizhou's popular Village Runway shows, where locals trade village life for the catwalk.

Singing folk songs as they walked, the models carried farm tools and showcased intricate embroidered garments to offer a glimpse of rural China.

Twenty-five grassroots models from Guizhou province take the stage at New Zealand Fashion Week. [Photo by Liu Qing/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Twenty-five grassroots models from Guizhou province take the stage at New Zealand Fashion Week. [Photo by Liu Qing/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Twenty-five grassroots models from Guizhou province take the stage at New Zealand Fashion Week. [Photo by Liu Qing/For chinadaily.com.cn]

Twenty-five grassroots models from Guizhou province take the stage at New Zealand Fashion Week. [Photo by Liu Qing/For chinadaily.com.cn]