Creative canvas shoes inspired by the Forbidden City

A new creative and cultural product inspired by the Forbidden City has just been released, this time in the form of canvas shoes.

The shoes, which come in two styles, were designed separately by students from the Academy of Arts Design of Tsinghua University and the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), and are now available via e-commerce platforms Tmall and JD.com.

The first style is predominantly red and yellow, echoing the august red walls and dazzling golden glazed tiles of the Palace Museum. Meanwhile, the second design was inspired by the Palace Museum's marble structures. Using light gray as a base color, the students adorned the shoes with white embroidery that resembles patterns found on the balustrades, stairways, and thrones in the imperial complex.

The shoes combine modernity with history. By wearing them, I can display the beauty of history while expressing my individuality, said a student from CAFA. Creative products inspired by time-honored culture are very popular among us young people these days. I hope more creations can be developed to help understand Chinese culture and history while at the same time meeting our need to showcase personality.

A variety of cultural and creative products with elements from the Forbidden City can be found in the online marketplaces, ranging from homeware to clothing, accessories to stationery, and jewelry to cosmetics.

These exquisite and elegant creations with distinctive designs — both aesthetic and functional — also serve as a reminder of China's traditional culture and profound history.

These [creative products] help foster cultural identity. Meanwhile, they are also conducive to spreading Chinese culture and shaping China's image, said Professor Wu Qiong from the Academy of Arts Design of Tsinghua University.