The garments made from the grass offer excellent breathability, insect protection and moisture resistance. As a result, they meet the needs of traditional Lisu peoples' lives in the mountains.

He was amazed by the craftsmanship involved in making the clothing. "Nowadays, people don't even need to spend much time producing a car, but making a costume, totally handmade, can take a year. If someone spends a year making a costume for you, how you will feel when wearing it? In the frenzy of modern life, I think it's quite touching," says Ren.

However, the sophisticated skills and exquisitely crafted products are now less recognized. To garner greater public attention for this valuable cultural heritage, Ren and Gu have brought them to a bigger stage — they organized a fashion show themed on Lisu clothing at the China Fashion Week in Beijing recently.