As well as families and festivities playing major roles in the
coming Chinese Lunar New Year, fashion is also a top priority - and
tradition is ousting contemporary clothing this year.
An
increasing number of modern Chinese are turning to Chinese silk
jackets, as famously worn by the world leaders in the Shanghai
summit in October.
The traditional attire, which originated at the end of the Qing
Dynasty (1644-1911), is known as Tangzhuang, widely accepted among
Chinese people.
With a great variety of styles, colours and material, a Tangzhuang
Cultural Festival in the Henderson Centre in Beijing is attracting
a lot of people interested in buying traditional clothing.
"This is the first time I have bought a traditional-style coat,"
said Cui Ming, a middle-aged woman shopping for clothes to wear
during the cultural festival.
"Wearing traditional attire is in vogue in China since the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was held in Shanghai in
October," Cui added.
All 20 participating leaders in the 2001 APEC economic leaders
meeting in Shanghai wore traditional Chinese jackets in royal blue,
scarlet or olive, embroidered with round patterns of peonies -
China's national flower.
There are about 800 stores participating in the exhibiting and
selling of traditional clothes, according to Wang Jingying,
director of the Marketing Department of the festival.
"Sales income of some stores can reach 20,000 yuan (US$2,410) per
day when business goes well, especially at weekend," Wang said.
Traditional Chinese attire attract not only Chinese customers but
also foreigners.
"It's very beautiful and fits perfectly," said Mindy Lee Knowlton,
a model from Colorado of the United States. "I want to have a dress
made before leaving China."
Alice Partridge, from England, looking to buy along Xiushui
Shopping Street near Jianguomen, said: "I think I can buy a
traditional coat when taking part in parties with my friends. It is
very different."
Being a very prosperous period in China's history, the Tang Dynasty
(AD 618-907) has become a pronoun of China, referring to something
with China's characteristics or tradition, such as "tangrenjie," or
Chinatown.
For some small stores, business is booming too. Total sales income
increased by 30 per cent in the two months ahead of the Spring
Festival, compared with the same period last year, said Xu Shu,
general manager and designer of Well Clothing Company in Beijing.
This was echoed by Jing, who owns a traditional clothes stall along
the open-air Xiushui Shopping Street. He declined to give his full
name.
In
fact, Tangzhuang has been creeping back into fashion for at least 5
years, and the Shanghai summit only served as a stimulus to enhance
its popularity.
Other social factors which have pushed Tangzhuang into the centre
of China's fashion include China's successful bid for the 2008
Olympic Games, entry into the World Trade Organization and the
realized dream of making it through to the World Cup Finals in
South Korea and Japan this year.
In
addition, with the efforts of excellent designers from China and
abroad, oriental attire has also become popular overseas, according
to Wang Xiaolin, chief designer of Muzhenliao, a famous brand of
traditional Chinese clothes.
"This popularization helps develop China's national fashion, as we
can give Tangzhuang a fresh look without destroying its exotic
flavour of mystery, grace and restraint," she added.
(China
Daily February 8, 2002)