In a small workshop in Wuhan, Hubei province, traditional Chinese elements like dragons and cranes aren't just painted on walls or silk — they're coming alive on sneakers.

Though he specializes in landscape design, Wang chose an unexpected path: integrating time-honored Chinese cultural motifs into contemporary streetwear.

This cultural grounding shaped his design instincts until a spontaneous moment in 2022 when he decided to repair his torn skate shoes by drawing Chinese-style cartoon patterns on them. That was when the idea of wearable culture took form.

Wang's design philosophy is deeply rooted in Chinese culture — ink paintings, ancient poetry, folklore, and historical landmarks.

A signature sneaker design inspired by the Chinese animated film White Snake. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Beyond folklore, Wang's work incorporates regional heritage. For example, his "Waking Lion" series pays homage to the lion dance traditions of Fujian province.

But for Wang, it's not just about decoration. "It's never as easy as simply copying a symbol and printing it on a shoe," he said.

To maintain high standards, Wang and his team traveled to major footwear material markets in Houjie, Guangdong, and Quanzhou, Fujian, to source better materials. One result: their shoes are 30 percent more scratch-resistant than comparable handcrafted products.

The team also established its own design database and incorporated an AI color-matching system.

Though several major brands expressed interest in mass-producing their designs, Wang turned down offers that would require giving up creative control.

Wang explained that government-backed innovation programs have played a crucial role in helping their team expand.

Looking ahead, Wang hopes to launch his own China chic fashion brand, expanding into clothing, accessories, and global markets.

"We want to create something that truly belongs to us and reflects our identity. Our dream is to make Chinese brands more high-end and infuse international brands with the spirit of Chinese culture."