The Flowers of War(2011)
Apparel serves as a visual clue to represent an individual or a group of people, as well as a kind of non-verbal communication. It has a considerable impact on personal and social significance, as well as on material culture. In other words, clothing is an integral part of the self and a tool for self-expression. The Crinoline dress and the high-waisted dress, as I mentioned in my previous blogs, regardless of their positive or negative influence on human beings, they are imperative portraits of typical time periods, which contribute to cultural progress and social advancement.
Traditional Chinese clothing has undergone a long period of evolution, as a result of which it has developed strong connections to the nation's values and cultural heritage. The qipao has been designated as a national garment that represents Chinese culture, which is also one of my favorite clothing.
The cheongsam, also known as the Qipao, is a tight-fitting dress that dates back to Shanghai in the 1920s.
The emergence of feminism in China in the twentieth century is reflected in the history of this iconic garment. The cheongsam's history begins in 1912 when the Qing dynasty was overthrown, and the Republic of China was established. China’s closed society opened its door to the world and began to experience fast-paced globalization and modernization. Chinese intellectuals revolted against conventional norms in the mid-1910s and early 1920s, pushing for a democratic and equal society based on Western standards, especially women's emancipation and education.
Moreover, Foot-binding, the obsolete Chinese tradition of tying young girls' feet together to prevent them from growing to make them look small, ceased and disappeared at that age.
Painted by Xu Beihong, via Wikimedia Commons
A standing collar, an asymmetric left-over-right opening (typically with Chinese knot buttons), and two side slits are all part of the qipao. Its components represent Chinese philosophical and cultural ideas. Its color, fabric pattern, and Chinese knot buttons represent good fortune, happiness, and longevity, as well as internal and external harmony. Its contemporary incarnation is a blend of ancient and modern ideas, as well as Chinese and Western sartorial practices, demonstrating versatility, adaptation, and inclusivity.
The cheongsam, like martial arts, obtains a lot of its popularity because of the entertainment industry. Since the 1900s, films with "Asian themes" have become increasingly popular, displaying a variety of cultural entities associated with Asia (the most common being China), martial arts, ethnic clothes, and philosophy.
There is a video collection of Chinese films and television shows for you to have a general idea of what Qipao looks like in real life. Hope you could be enchanted by the charm of Qipao.
For me, Qipao is the epitome of the times. It conveys the essence and specific characteristics of 1900s.
As an international student, I study and stay in a country that is completely fresh to me. In fact, it is a unique and delightful experience of learning a new cultural custom and I really enjoy my school life. Meanwhile, I am proud of being Chinese for its long history and resplendent traditional culture. Although we went through both flourishing prosperity and destitute frustration, we learn from failure. Hopefully, we could disseminate Chinese culture to more people.
Try to wear Qipao someday, and you will be fascinated by the beauty of the oriental art.
#Qipao #Cheongsam #Chinese #culture #history
Reference:
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-cheongsam/
https://signal.supchina.com/a-brief-history-of-the-qipao-chinas-sexiest-dress/
https://blogs.brown.edu/amst-1905l-s01-spring-2017/cheongsam-then-and-now/
http://www.thepankou.com/qipao-cheongsam-parts-comprehensive-guide/