Introduction:
In the tide of globalization, China's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) shines like a brilliant pearl, gradually discovered and cherished by the world. Brands are exploring how to transform these cultural essences, which have lasted for thousands of years, into new trends that attract modern consumers through innovative business models. This article delves into the application strategies of ICH in the business field and demonstrates how to successfully integrate tradition with modernity through practical cases.
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The Commercial Value and Significance of ICH:
- Embodiment of Cultural Confidence: ICH is not only the inheritance of culture but also a symbol of national confidence and cultural identity. It represents the history, wisdom, and aesthetics of a nation, which is an essential reflection of cultural confidence.
- Brand Differentiation: In a market environment with fierce homogenization competition, the integration of ICH elements provides brands with a unique design language and brand story, helping them establish a distinctive image in the minds of consumers.
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Detailed Explanation of ICH Business Strategies:
- Cross-Boundary Design: Modern Interpretation of ICH Elements
Fendi collaborated with Yi ethnic group ICH inheritors to launch the Baguette bag, which combines the embroidery of the Soma flower and the silver inlay technique. This bag not only showcases the traditional craftsmanship of the Yi people but also reflects Fendi's respect for cultural diversity and spirit of innovation. Through this collaboration, Fendi not only provided consumers with unique products but also brought Yi culture to the international stage, achieving cultural exchange and collision.
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2. Storytelling: Allow consumers to feel the warmth of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
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Apple's Spring Festival-themed Peking Opera advertisement "Passing Five Barriers" combines traditional culture with modern technology by recording the lives of Peking Opera actors with the iPhone 14 Pro, allowing consumers to feel the charm of ICH. This innovative advertising format not only showcases the product's features but also enhances consumers' understanding and emotional connection to ICH by telling the stories of the opera actors.
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3. Creating a Third Space: Immersive Experience of ICH Culture
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Starbucks' ICH concept store in Shanghai integrates the embroidery cheongsam style of Shanghai's ICH culture into the store design and decoration, providing customers with an interactive space to experience ICH culture. Here, customers can taste coffee and feel the charm of ICH culture up close, making each visit unique through this immersive cultural experience.
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4. New Forms of Digitalization: Innovative Dissemination of ICH Culture
Tmall's Guochao ICH Renewal Night uses digital scanning technology to present ICH traditional skills, such as Dingyao Ding porcelain and Fengxiang woodblock New Year paintings, on digital platforms, bringing ICH culture to consumers in a more vivid way. Through online display and sales, ICH products can reach a broader consumer group and also provide new sales channels and sources of income for ICH inheritors.
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The Perfect Fusion of ICH and Guochao:
The rise of Guochao culture provides new opportunities for the protection and inheritance of ICH. By combining ICH skills with modern aesthetics, creating products that have both traditional charm and modern appeal, it has successfully attracted the attention of young consumers. For example, the collaboration between the game "Love and Producer" and the Suzhou Arts and Crafts Industry Association integrates ICH skills into the game characters' storylines, not only promoting ICH culture but also adding cultural depth to the game. This cross-border cooperation not only revitalizes ICH culture but also allows the younger generation to experience the charm of Chinese traditional culture in the game.
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Conclusion:
The successful application of ICH culture in modern commerce not only brings new vitality to brands but also paves new paths for the inheritance and development of traditional culture. Through cross-boundary design, storytelling, spatial creation, and digital innovation, ICH culture is emerging in public view with a whole new look, serving as a bridge connecting the past and the future. With more innovative practices, we have reason to believe that ICH culture will shine even more brilliantly in the future commercial domain.
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References:
- People's Daily. (2022). Strengthening the Brand Building of Excellent Traditional Culture.
- The Paper. (2022). Diversification of ICH development, e-commerce platforms become new channels for ICH industry development.
- People's Network. (2022). ICH economy + traditional aesthetics? Not only "ingenuity" is needed, but also commercial realization.
- Apple Inc. (2023). Peking Opera-themed advertisement "Passing Five Barriers".
- Starbucks. (2024). Introduction to Shanghai ICH concept store.
- Tmall. (2023). Report on Guochao ICH Renewal Night event.
- Game "Love and Producer". (2023). Collaboration case with Suzhou Arts and Crafts Industry Association.
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