Across China: Tibetan designer turns ancient street into runway

A model presents the creation of Tashi on Barkhor Street in Lhasa, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, Jan. 21, 2019. Tashi is a common name around Lhasa's old town, but on Barkhor Street, Genqoi Tashi, 36, stands out from the crowd with his rattail hanging down his neck. Tashi moved to Lhasa from Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan ten years ago. He has had many jobs, from website editor to police officer. He also ran a bar and then a gallery. Now, "Tashi the voguish" is a fashion designer. This winter, he held a show on Barkhor Street as pilgrims and tourists ambled around the Jokhang Temple, marveling at the fusion of fashion and Tibetan tradition. Eight years ago, when a fashion program asked him to recommend a local designer but no one he knew qualified, Tashi found his calling. Creating a modern Tibetan fashion line was nothing but a remote dream, as few people in Tibet followed modern fashion in those days, preferring their traditional gowns. But Tashi persisted, and after six months of preparation, he started up his own fashion brand. His first designs were made of reworked second-hand clothes and sold at friends' shops. His first show was held on a balcony. (Xinhua/Purbu Zhaxi)