BAOBEI 

Following the Thread Through Guizhou

Baobei (宝贝) literally means “precious treasure” in Chinese. It's also a term of affection used for a child, a lover... someone or something you hold close.

This storytelling series, and the precious objects we collected along the way, are our Baobei. It began in 2024 with a journey through Guizhou. A rural, mountainous province in southwest China, home to many of the country’s ethnic minority communities and generations of heritage craft.

I knew these traditions existed in the mountains, but I had also heard another story: that much of it was disappearing, or had been commodified and “Disneyfied” for tourism. I wanted to see for myself. Did these ancient traditions still exist in Guizhou? 

So, with a one year old toddler in tow, my husband, an incredible photographer (Jess Foley!), and creative collaborator (C. Rose!), we set off to find out.

The journey wasn’t easy. We chased leads, went down Wechat rabbit holes, got stuck and lost more than a few times, and trusted that the adventure would open itself up to us as we went. And it did.

We met papermakers carrying nineteen generations of knowledge. Miao and Dong artisans working with indigo, silver, embroidery and cloth. We travelled down rocky mountain roads, wandered through markets and villages, and were welcomed into homes, workshops, and many tables of food. 

What we found was neither a culture frozen in time, nor ways of life that have been completely lost or commercialized. They are simply living beneath the surface. And constantly changing. Tradition adapts and takes on new forms. Craft continues not because it has been preserved untouched, but because people still find value in making and using it.

Ziran began with an ancient Chinese silk, and for the last ten years, this textile has led us deeper into the people, places and traditions surrounding it. Baobei is a continuation of that journey ~ following the thread to see where it takes us.

This is a journey into an overlooked heart of Made in China, and a record of the people, places and things we found precious enough to carry with us.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll share these stories one by one. Thank you. 

Shop what we collected along the way.

Creative Direction: Kelly Wang Shanahan (@theziran)

Photography + Videography: Jess Foley (@fauxly)

Video Editing: Jhonson Phielipus (@jjnnxx2250)

Shot in Guizhou, China. April 2024.