Models showcase garments featuring African fabrics and patterns on the runway during the China-Africa costume culture and art exhibition at the National Museums of Kenya, in Nairobi on September 10. Wu Xiaohui / China Daily

"This year marks the Year of the Horse in China. The mamianqun skirt carries hopes for good fortune and a prosperous year ahead. It reflects the Chinese tradition of expressing hopes and blessings through what we wear," Zhou said.

Zhou also invited Kenyan youth to visit China's Shandong province to study textile and garment techniques and explore the use of AI to transform traditional Kenyan patterns into digital designs.