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Uniforms of Taiwan’s Expo 2025 Pavilion Guides Tell a National Story
As visitors step into TechWorld, Taiwan’s pavilion at Expo 2025 in Osaka, they are greeted not just by friendly guides but by uniforms designed to tell a deeper story about the country’s identity, resilience and natural beauty.
The uniforms worn by the pavilion’s guide team were created by Taiwanese designer Liao Chia-ling, often referred to as the “Queen of Uniforms.” Each stitch, button and fiber was chosen with a message in mind: to represent Taiwan.
“There is a tree species called the Taiwania fir,” said Liao, president of Cho Rong Lind, the company behind the designs. “I hope that through the tree species, people around the world can see Taiwan. Although our political situation means we can’t often [attend events] under our official name, we can express ourselves through this species unique to Taiwan.”
The Taiwania fir is the only tree in the world that includes Taiwan in its botanical name. The Indigenous Rukai people call it “the tree that touches the moon.” Its image appears subtly throughout the guides’ earth-toned uniforms, digitally printed in sketch-like illustrations.
The garments are also made with sustainability in mind. “We also use many eco-friendly fabrics, such as fabric made from recycled PET bottles. That is the most basic [material],” Liao said. “There’s also fabric made from oyster shells. They’re all materials unique to Taiwan.”
Designing the uniforms took months and tested Liao’s skills even after more than three decades in the industry. From sourcing environmentally friendly textiles to handcrafting intricate details, she said this project was one of the most demanding of her career.
“We hope that through this process, even if it is just for the guide uniforms, people can see Taiwan’s artisanship,” she said.
Beyond the symbolic and sustainable elements, the uniforms are also highly practical. With features like removable sleeves—secured by 50 hidden buttons—they’re designed to adapt to Osaka’s varying weather across the Expo’s six-month run.
As TechWorld welcomes global visitors, the guides’ uniforms are proving to be more than just attire. They are wearable expressions of Taiwan’s spirit—subtle, symbolic and deeply rooted in the land that inspired them.
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