Crowning passion

This year, Li was commissioned by the Taowu Hanfu Society, an organization that promotes hanfu (a traditional Chinese attire) in Nantong, Jiangsu, to make a replica of Empress Xiao's crown to serve as a prop in shows.

Li says this was the most difficult piece she has made. "I had to figure out many details by searching for material online."

Li adds that "no one has seen how Xiao's coronet looked like in its prime. People might have their own ideas about it. I want the replica to be as splendid as possible."

Li started by making a single petal. The coronet has 13 flower clusters, with each cluster comprising 24 flowers, each flower formed by six petals, and each petal decorated by six pearls. By referencing the official replica of the headgear and adding details, Li spent more than two months to finish the coronet, using around 5,000 pearls and more than 600 gems.