Wang Haoran, a young man in Nantong, Jiangsu province, has been devoted to plant dye production techniques since he was first amazed by such techniques at a symposium on kesi (traditional weaving techniques in China) in 2009.

Zhou Dynasty (c.11th century-256 BC) literature records show that plant dyes were used for coloring textiles at that time.

Wang has successfully restored and promoted traditional Chinese plant dyeing and production techniques through years of efforts growing dye plants, extracting, refining dyeing and printing.

In his eyes, plant dyeing is not only a traditional technique, but also demonstrates Chinese people's "understanding, pursuit, and application" of colors over thousands of years. It is a key part of China's cultural heritage.

As the inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage in Chongchuan district, Nantong, Wang has been running five or six classes annually since 2016. He hopes that more people will truly fall in love with plant dyeing, rather than just showing a passing interest.

In addition, Wang holds that persistence in manual work and the industrialization of dyes should be given equal attention, adding that he hopes to contact more cloth designers, cooperate with more clothing brands at home and abroad, and expand the global presence of plant dyeing.