That roaring Shanghai of the pre-PRC 20th Century (Part I) was undeniably a fashion hard hitter, but the 21st Century also proves a strong contender in the Pearl’s fashion race. With Shanghai Fashion Week in full swing until April 2, 2018, we once more step through the mirror to explore this city’s fashionable brawn, bravado and bravery.
One launch in particular at the March 2018 ONTIME show — Shanghai Fashion Week: Atelier Rouge Pekin X Meihua Sports AW18 “We Are The Champions” Collection. Photography by Mathilde Agius
As Marxist Leninist Mao Zedong one-size-and-style-fits-all playsuits (traditionally known as the male 中山装 – yep, after Sun Yat-Sen — for those interested in getting one) in 1949 unified the fashion stakes across the Middle Kingdom. The fact that its jacket was made out of one piece, contrary to the usual two layers of fabric or something, symbolized China’s unity and peace. Its three cuff-buttons stood for the Three Principles of The People: Nationalism, Democracy and People’s Livelihood. As it turned out, the PRC standard suit became a hit with western “intellectuals” (aka the communist-thought-liking hipsters-du-jour) throughout the 1960s and 70s. They apparently tended to pair it with a nice comfy turtleneck. Mao-PC lovely. So, I do beg your pardon, but instead of going through 30 unavailing years of joyless démodé bootcamp, I’d rather pick up not where I left off, but where the thrill really came back for Shanghai’s fashionista: The 21st Century.
The PRC standard suit became a hit with western “intellectuals” throughout the 1960s and 70s. They apparently tended to pair it with a nice comfy turtleneck. Mao-PC lovely.
Another Temper-favored launch at the ONTIME Show, Shanghai Fashion Week 2018… Tiwill Tang’s new Chronic collection! One powerplant in the making.
Vogueing Out the Nation
The opening of the 21s Century saw the arrival of many Western fashion media staples on China Mainland. People were already aware of the Marnis and Pradas being status symbols, but flipping through pages and pages of luxury brand advertisements as presented in the Vogues, Elles and Harper’s Bazaars of this universe, certainly spurred on the rush for the gold CC signs. Hey, what can I say, those fashion media moguls are some bright cookies for sure. Pushing Eurocentric notions in Asia? Yep. Anyone care? Nope. Either way, the 2000s saw the Mainland masses heading to Hong Kong’s (cheaper) top-level brand flagship stores like it was Black Friday every day. And bringing home the same bag. Every single one of them.
Yet then… drumroll, please. We entered the 2010s and arrived at a crossroads where many a China-born dressmaker was braising up their own designs, mixing their personal heritage and China’s history with Western-studied techniques. The new China fashion design(er) went from being more underground or small-atelier-audience-bound to upping the public streetstyle; breaking with all bombastic bag-du-must-have-brand conventions (of course these have not been eradicated, why should they be; each to their own). A new Chinese clientele since leans towards individualizing what’s on their wooden hangers and thus exuding their individuality towards their peers and wider surroundings. The “M’as-tu-vu?” thought in a new layered jacket.
The Shanghai fashion design scene in the 21st Century has burst back into its former frisky innovative creativity and gained back the reputation that strides with it.
A fast and furious MIKUMKUM SS17 via China Fashion Bloggers.[/caption]Shanghai is primed to become the Fifth Fashion Capital on the global mode map — in addition to the Big Four aka New York, Paris, London and Milan. The 2010s have come with a shift in desirable goods, moving from the omnipresent Louis Vuitton bag to a more individual expression through fashion. Great Style Leap Exhibition Director Xu Haiyun in 2014 told Jing Daily the following in regards to the development of Shanghai’s streetstyle settings:
“When social media and street style came around, they gave people a new type of fashion influence that was closer to them, that was graspable and more affordable. […] I think because of Beijing’s history as a center for art and culture, people therefore dress a little differently—more complex, maybe. Shanghai is a little more Western, whereas Guangzhou and Shenzhen feel more original and Asian.”
The man has a point. And this point aligns with this year’s participants’ viewpoints on Shanghai as a Fashion Capital on the rise, think Gemma Hoi or Eva Xu of All Comes From Nothing — among others.
Beijing is the rougher diamond; Shanghai is, by now, overflowing with more than 100 years in fashion do’s and don’ts, a polished one; but it would be unfair to cast aside the simply innate Chinese or Asian inspirations found with Shanghai’s fashion design. It may have a polished – Western, if you will – coating, but it sure is pure and unadulterated China-born-and-bred Fashion. I mean, even the Mao Zedong thought elixir was first served with a few Marxist and Leninist drops, right?
We shall conclude this look at a tried ‘n true China Fashion pivot with a style-advisory twist on Chairman Mao:
“One cannot advance without mistakes… It is necessary to make mistakes. The wardrobe cannot be updated without learning from mistakes.”
Featured Image: Atelier Rouge Pekin x Meihua Sports AW18 “WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS” Collection
Photography: Mathilde Agius
Model casting：Monica
Female model：李芙瑶 (with 华谊时尚)
Male model：Denys ( with M2)
Make-up：薛冰冰
Hair：赵文智
Images: China Fashion Bloggers and Women’s Wear Daily.
Copyright@Temper Magazine 2018. All rights reserved
Perpetually in pursuit of the greater good that is “China Fashion”, van Paridon set up The China Temper to help promote the dynamite dynamic fashion scene sprouting within Beijing, Shanghai, and China overall. Catering to anybody and everybody who reads English and/or Chinese, Temper covers all the basics and bases. From China's street style scenery to its budding photographers, internationally renowned designers, and underground quirks plus phenomena: We present one hot-hip-happening current collective weaving The New "Made in China" tag.
The term “Made in China” is undergoing the ultimate 21st Century makeover. Escorted by the increasingly strong influence of a new thinking among China’s younger generations, regarding individuality and the expression thereof, the fashion scene in the Middle Kingdom is exploding. And stretches far beyond what meets the eye. It’s appliqué, one might say.
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