Fusionable Cheongsam

Wessie Ling

Fusionable Cheongsam

Wessie Ling

Research output: Non-textual form › Exhibition

Abstract

Despite its feminine image, cheongsam’s hybrid nature originated in the traditional men’s changpao of 1910s and the influence of western aesthetics in the trading cities of 1930s China. While some studies (Steele and Major 1999, Tam 2000, Wilson 1997) have generalised the cheongsam as a product of ‘East meets West’, its close link with the political background and cultural history of China has been little considered. Amidst its rejection by Communist China and its ignominious adaptation as a seductive dress and hostess uniform, the cheongsam has continued to evolve and acquired new identities through popular culture, fashion production, global circulation and consumption. Following Lowe’s (1995) notion of hybridity, Fusionable Cheongsam responds to cheongsam’s dichotomous representations by tracing the social and cultural history of China vis-à-vis cheongsam’s hybrid origin, evolution and liaison with the West.

Original language	English
Publication status	Accepted/In press - Jun 2007
Event	Fusionable Cheongsam - The Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong Duration: 1 Jun 2007 → …

Keywords

postcolonial theory
cultural production
identities
Asian fashion
fashion cities

Cite this

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title = "Fusionable Cheongsam",

abstract = "Despite its feminine image, cheongsam{\textquoteright}s hybrid nature originated in the traditional men{\textquoteright}s changpao of 1910s and the influence of western aesthetics in the trading cities of 1930s China. While some studies (Steele and Major 1999, Tam 2000, Wilson 1997) have generalised the cheongsam as a product of {\textquoteleft}East meets West{\textquoteright}, its close link with the political background and cultural history of China has been little considered. Amidst its rejection by Communist China and its ignominious adaptation as a seductive dress and hostess uniform, the cheongsam has continued to evolve and acquired new identities through popular culture, fashion production, global circulation and consumption. Following Lowe{\textquoteright}s (1995) notion of hybridity, Fusionable Cheongsam responds to cheongsam{\textquoteright}s dichotomous representations by tracing the social and cultural history of China vis-{\`a}-vis cheongsam{\textquoteright}s hybrid origin, evolution and liaison with the West.",

keywords = "postcolonial theory, cultural production, identities, Asian fashion, fashion cities",

author = "Wessie Ling",

note = "WESSIELING is a London based visual artist whose work uses text and installations to address the immateriality and symbolic power of fashion. She has exhibited nationally and internationally including the Victoria \& Albert Museum, Collyer Bristow Gallery, Hong Kong Arts Centre and Austrian National Museum of Applied and Contemporary Arts among others. Further projects can be viewed at www.WESSIELING.com.; Fusionable Cheongsam ; Conference date: 01-06-2007",

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PY - 2007/6

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N2 - Despite its feminine image, cheongsam’s hybrid nature originated in the traditional men’s changpao of 1910s and the influence of western aesthetics in the trading cities of 1930s China. While some studies (Steele and Major 1999, Tam 2000, Wilson 1997) have generalised the cheongsam as a product of ‘East meets West’, its close link with the political background and cultural history of China has been little considered. Amidst its rejection by Communist China and its ignominious adaptation as a seductive dress and hostess uniform, the cheongsam has continued to evolve and acquired new identities through popular culture, fashion production, global circulation and consumption. Following Lowe’s (1995) notion of hybridity, Fusionable Cheongsam responds to cheongsam’s dichotomous representations by tracing the social and cultural history of China vis-à-vis cheongsam’s hybrid origin, evolution and liaison with the West.

AB - Despite its feminine image, cheongsam’s hybrid nature originated in the traditional men’s changpao of 1910s and the influence of western aesthetics in the trading cities of 1930s China. While some studies (Steele and Major 1999, Tam 2000, Wilson 1997) have generalised the cheongsam as a product of ‘East meets West’, its close link with the political background and cultural history of China has been little considered. Amidst its rejection by Communist China and its ignominious adaptation as a seductive dress and hostess uniform, the cheongsam has continued to evolve and acquired new identities through popular culture, fashion production, global circulation and consumption. Following Lowe’s (1995) notion of hybridity, Fusionable Cheongsam responds to cheongsam’s dichotomous representations by tracing the social and cultural history of China vis-à-vis cheongsam’s hybrid origin, evolution and liaison with the West.

KW - postcolonial theory

KW - cultural production

KW - identities

KW - Asian fashion

KW - fashion cities

M3 - Exhibition

T2 - Fusionable Cheongsam

Y2 - 1 June 2007

ER -

Fusionable Cheongsam

Abstract

Keywords

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