Weaving tradition into fashion

Leveraging his technical skills, Tao revamped aging looms by repairing worn components, reducing strain, and improving efficiency — all while preserving the handmade character of the fabric.

His physical strength also proved helpful in this labor-intensive craft. Contrary to the common assumption that weaving is light or delicate work, Tao emphasized that it requires considerable endurance and force — especially during long hours of repetitive motion.

"Textile weaving is physically demanding, and in this regard, men tend to have a bit more of an advantage," he said.

According to Tao, creating Hong'an handloom cloth involves as many as 72 intricate steps, from the very beginning — selecting raw cotton — to spinning, dyeing, and finally weaving the finished fabric.

"A weaving machine can produce just over a meter per hour," he said. "But when you spin the thread by hand, making two or three meters can take an entire day."