Chongqing village fashion show blends welfare and mental health

Coal miners walk the runway in Liangfeng village. [Photo provided to english.liangjiang.gov.cn]

A fashion show in Liangfeng village, Guanba town, part of Chongqing Wansheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, transformed fields into a natural runway, with villagers, children, and volunteers adorned with Miao silver jewelry and equipped with hoes and fishing nets celebrating the rustic charm of rural life.

Liangfeng village, once a poverty-stricken area, has undergone a remarkable green transformation. As a result, the village has restored over 2,000 mu (133 hectares) of land, revitalized 600 mu of water for fisheries, and established a 1,615-mu picking garden.

The per capita disposable income has surged from 6,000 yuan ($882) to 28,900 yuan, while the village's annual collective income has exceeded 1.6 million yuan. Tourism revenue also surpassed 120 million yuan in 2024, empowering villagers to step onto the runway.

Children at a fashion show in Liangfeng village. [Photo provided to english.liangjiang.gov.cn]

"I used to only see models on TV. Who would have thought that farmers could carry their tools and take the stage at their doorstep?" said villager Hu Taoli.

The Yihang Youth Work Development Center in Liangjiang New Area provided psychological support, guiding children with special needs in practicing walking and expressing their emotions.

The event also featured a charity auction of local farm goods, including noodles, honey, and fish, with proceeds supporting rural children and other groups in need.

"This model is extending from the fields to the community," noted Luo Yuhua, director of the Yihang center, which is activating residents' idle goods, handmade crafts, and cultural creations to raise funds for support in areas such as elderly care, education, and disability aid.

A resident adorned with Miao silver jewelry and costume at a fashion show in Liangfeng village. [Photo provided to english.liangjiang.gov.cn]