Legend of the Embroiderer

Su Mengyao's new life is like the rising sun, full of hope and vitality.

She took the palace embroidery workshop as the starting point for promoting her modern design concepts. With an open mind, she invited the most skilled "gold embroidery" embroiderer of the Tang Dynasty to the palace.

This embroidery technique uses tightly twisted gold thread as the embroidery thread material, and uses cross-thread to nail the gold thread horizontally to the embroidery ground, forming a wrinkle-like linear embroidery structure element.

Gold Embroidery is the pinnacle of Tang Dynasty embroidery skills. Together with them, we will discuss "how to combine modern innovative thinking with traditional Tang Dynasty art."

In this turbulent and renewed era, everyone seems to be standing at a critical juncture in the long river of history, with endless possibilities to create unprecedented and amazing beautiful things.

At such a special moment, at a lively gathering, Su Mengyao's clear, melodious, and passionate words echoed in the air like the sound of nature:

“In this era, we truly have a great opportunity to create beautiful works that no one has ever imagined!”

As soon as she finished speaking, everyone present focused their attention on this young and talented woman.

She was standing gracefully in the middle of the crowd, with her head slightly raised. Her eyes, as bright as stars, were filled with infinite longing for a better future and a strong desire for bold innovation.

Her every frown and smile exudes a unique charm that makes people fall in love with her.

Her sparkling eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky, shining with eager anticipation for a new life.

Deep in her passionate heart, she is filled with a deep love for art and an extremely firm belief in promoting change.

Everyone gathered around Su Mengyao, focusing their attention on the exquisite drawings and dazzling samples placed in front of her.

Everyone's eyes were like nimble butterflies, dancing and flitting back and forth among these exquisite works, sometimes revealing an expression of curiosity that was difficult to conceal, and sometimes showing a hint of confusion.

Finally, after a brief silence, an older, highly respected and experienced embroiderer slowly asked:

"Miss Su, I have to say that the designs you've shown are truly ingenious and unique. However, they differ greatly from our long-standing traditional styles. How can you ensure that such works will conform to the aesthetic standards of the people of the Tang Dynasty?"

Faced with the embroiderer's questioning, Su Mengyao just smiled slightly, appearing exceptionally calm and composed.

She stretched out her hand gracefully and gently unfolded a piece of silk embroidered with peonies. The peonies came alive under her needlework, as if they would sway in the wind at any time.

The guests gathered around, exclaiming in admiration. An elderly embroiderer, with admiration gleaming in her eyes, said:

"Miss Su, your embroidery not only retains the splendor of the Tang Dynasty, but also adds a touch of modern agility. It is truly unique."

Su Mengyao invited the guests to observe the details of the embroidery up close and personally demonstrated several innovative needlework techniques.

Her fingers danced deftly on the silk, and every stitch and thread revealed her love for embroidery and her pursuit of innovation.

"Look at this 'flying needle', it can make the pattern more three-dimensional and dynamic."

Su Mengyao demonstrated and explained at the same time. Her movements were graceful and smooth, which amazed everyone present.

She explained in her sweet and melodious voice, "Please see, tradition and modernity are not incompatible. On the contrary, they can perfectly blend and complement each other. Just like this embroidery before you, it perfectly inherits the essence of our Tang Dynasty embroidery craftsmanship, while also perfectly incorporating the beauty of simplicity from the aesthetic concept. In this way, isn't it an outstanding example of mutual integration and symbiosis?"

After Su Mengyao's explanation, the embroiderers' eyes gradually showed a gleam of recognition.

They began to try to understand and accept Su Mengyao's ideas, and the atmosphere in the courtyard changed from initial doubts to heated discussion.

Su Mengyao's new concept is like a breath of fresh air, attempting to inject new vitality into ancient traditional embroidery.

This fresh trend was not without challenges. Some conservative embroiderers were skeptical of her modern designs, believing that these novel ideas would destroy the traditional aesthetics of the Tang Dynasty.

"Our craft has been passed down for thousands of years. How can we be shaken by these fantastic ideas?" an elderly embroiderer said angrily during the discussion.

His voice echoed in the courtyard, resonating with others, whose eyes revealed their adherence to tradition and resistance to change.

Faced with these doubts, Su Mengyao was not discouraged. With a calm attitude and firm belief, she stood in the middle of the courtyard, showing her design drawings and samples in her hands.

Her voice was soft yet powerful: "My dear seniors, I understand your concerns. However, the new ideas I advocate are not meant to replace tradition, but to accompany it and flourish together."

After saying this, she gently unfolded a design drawing, which showed a piece of clothing that combined modern simple lines with traditional Tang Dynasty patterns.

"Look, this costume retains the splendor of the Tang Dynasty while showcasing the beauty of simplicity. I believe this combination will allow our embroiderers to create a more diverse and colorful work."

Everyone gathered around, their eyes wandering between the drawings and samples, gradually turning from suspicion to curiosity.

Su Mengyao's design concept, like a gentle spring breeze, slowly seeped into their hearts.

Chang'an City was ablaze with lights as a grand royal banquet was being held. Su Mengyao's designs were showcased this evening.

She designed a series of costumes and decorations for the banquet. These works not only retained the magnificence of the Tang Dynasty, but also added modern simplicity and fluency. They were like fairies walking out of ancient paintings, which were eye-catching.

At the banquet, the emperor and the guests wore clothes designed by Su Mengyao, and there was endless praise.

Those embroiderers who were once skeptical, faced with the clothing that combined traditional and modern beauty, had to admit that Su Mengyao's design concept had indeed brought new vitality to the art of the Tang Dynasty.

"Mengyao, your vision and talent have injected new vitality into the art of the Tang Dynasty."

The emperor publicly praised Su Mengyao's contribution at the banquet. His voice echoed in the hall, filling Su Mengyao's heart with pride and joy.

Su Mengyao stood in the crowd, her eyes looking through the gorgeous clothes at the embroiderers who had once questioned her.

She said softly, "What I have done is simply to integrate the beauty of the past and the present. I hope that the art of the Tang Dynasty will be as bright as the stars."

Her voice was soft but full of power, moving everyone present.

Su Mengyao's design style has gradually been accepted by everyone, and her embroidery has become everyone's new favorite.

Her reputation spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys like a spring breeze. Su Mengyao not only promoted modern design concepts.

She has become a bridge connecting tradition and modernity. Her success is based on her profound understanding of Tang Dynasty culture and her superb mastery of modern design principles.

In her studio, Su Mengyao works with the embroiderers. Her design drawings cover the long table, each of which embodies her pursuit of beauty and respect for craftsmanship.

She gently told the embroiderers how to skillfully combine modern lines with traditional Tang Dynasty patterns to create works that are both novel and classical.

"Every stitch and every thread is our way of communicating with the ancients," said Su Mengyao, her voice revealing her awe for craftsmanship and passion for innovation.

Her design philosophy is neither completely Westernized nor sticking to tradition, but finding a perfect balance between the two.