In 1987, tailoring remained a crucial local trade in rural Guizhou Province. The tailor, wearing his army greens, stands at the entrance of his workshop, framed by brick walls and tools of his craft, presenting himself with quiet confidence. Inside, garments in progress reflected both necessity and aspiration.

Three-piece suits, once rare in rural settings were becoming symbols of changing tastes and increasing mobility. The photograph captures a moment when traditional skills continued to shape daily life, even as new styles and expectations slowly entered the village. The photograph records labor, identity, and the subtle signals of transition embedded in everyday work.