Alei is an Italian blogger focused on Chinese culture. Of all Chinese elements, he loves hanfu — ancient Chinese clothing — most. He studies its cuts, colors and etiquette, and actually wears it, travelling across China's ancient capitals and sites.
On Xi'an's city walls, in the Forbidden City and Suzhou gardens, Alei films in hanfu, explaining culture in fluent Chinese: why the collar crosses right, what shenyi is, why colors matter. Chinese viewers marvel: "An Italian understands hanfu better than I do."
He also loves traditional festivals and ancient architecture. Hanfu, he says, is not just clothing — it's the "skin" of five millennia of civilization. Wearing it brings him closer to Chinese culture.
Hanfu has revived among young Chinese, and foreign bloggers like Alei take it to the world. Cultural confidence isn't closing doors — it's opening them wide. Alei proves it.
Alessio (b. mid-1990s), Italian blogger, famous for loving hanfu (traditional Chinese clothing). He is "the Italian in hanfu", showcasing the beauty of traditional Chinese dress and honouring Chinese culture in his own way.
His hanfu bond: he was awestruck by hanfu at first sight and began researching, buying and wearing it. He joins hanfu events, learns the etiquette, and makes wearing hanfu part of daily life.
Why he rose: an Italian wearing hanfu with dignity and seriousness, explaining its structure (crossed collar, right lapel, wide sleeves) - a dedication "deeper than many Chinese people" won him a large Chinese fan base.
Significance: he represents the internationalisation of Chinese traditional dress - when foreigners wear hanfu daily, it is no longer a museum piece but living culture.
Lesson: the best proof of cultural confidence is being genuinely loved by others. He says "hanfu is beautiful; I am willing to spend time on it." Sincere affection moves more than any propaganda.
A recurring theme in his videos: he teaches foreign netizens "how to wear hanfu" and "how to do the fist-and-palm salute", while teaching Chinese netizens Italian greetings. He is a two-way bridge letting both sides learn each other cultural details. Cultural confidence is never about closing doors but opening them to more admirers.
His future plan is worth mentioning: he is preparing a "hanfu world tour" series, wearing hanfu across the globe, pairing it with Chinese landscapes and foreign scenery. Telling a civilisation story through one garment - that idea itself is the most romantic footnote to contemporary Chinese cultural transmission.
Finally: his hanfu lives not only in his wardrobe but in every outing and shoot. Liking is the best teacher - in his own way, he lets a traditional Chinese garment shine on foreign streets.
