Vintage Vogue: Timeless Chinese Fashion Trend Strikes Gold

Ancient ‘Mamianqun’ Skirt Resurfaces in Chinese Urban Fashion: Once exclusive to ‘hanfu’ enthusiasts, the traditional design gains traction in Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu. Modern interpretations blend historic charm with contemporary styles, expanding its appeal from ceremonial attire to everyday fashion among young Chinese.

“The Skirt’s Popularity Fuels ‘New Chinese Style’ Trend: Blending Contemporary Design with Traditional Aesthetics Across Fashion and Decor.”

From Outdated to Profitable: ‘New Chinese Style’ Surges on E-commerce. Chinese platforms leverage Gen Z’s patriotism, boosting sales with hashtags like ‘new Chinese style outfits.’ Social media showcases blend modern and traditional, from furniture to landscape wallpapers, reflecting a lucrative shift in consumer preferences and marketing strategies. China’s ‘New Chinese Style’ Clothing Market Hits $138 Million in 2023: Xiaohongshu User Shares Styling Tips for Traditional Attire, Combining Contemporary Fashion with Cultural Heritage.

According to a message sent to CNN, a user named Momo believes that many young people are increasingly embracing traditional culture to express their individuality, which she finds positive and trendy. Huang Weizhe, a 32-year-old designer and manager at Longfuji, concurs that the trend primarily attracts young enthusiasts. He uses social media to showcase ‘new Chinese style’ fashion, emphasizing its inclusive nature and freedom from strict rules, appealing to today’s youth.

Embracing the Surge of Contemporary Chinese Fashion                 

Samuel Gui Yang, known for drawing on Chinese heritage in his fashion collections, has seen increased interest from mainland China thanks to the ‘new Chinese style’ trend. Unlike mass produced mamianqun skirts, his brand focuses on subtle incorporation of Chinese heritage, appealing to a global audience by blending Shanghai and London influences.

For Samuel Gui Yang, the essence of ‘new Chinese style’ is encapsulated in Ang Lee’s 1994 film ‘Eat Drink Man Woman.’ Inspired by the movie’s portrayal of Chinese life and its blending of tradition with modernity, Yang draws design inspiration from 80s and 90s Asian fashion, showcased recently at Shanghai Fashion Week with innovative updates to classic qipao designs.

Ian Hylton, a long-time resident of China and designer, challenges the concept of ‘new Chinese style’ for his menswear label, which embraces traditional Chinese dress elements like silk mandarin collar shirts and Tang-style puffer jackets. He views these as enduring cultural expressions rather than passing trends, echoing his wife Min Liu’s initiative with Ms. Min to reintroduce Chinese-inspired fashion to the country.

When Ian Hylton first arrived in China in 2005 as creative director for Ports 1961, he noticed a prevalence of foreign faces in advertisements, reflecting a preference for foreign goods over local ones. Over the past decade, however, he observes a shift among young Chinese towards greater cultural pride and confidence, buoyed by a surge in domestic fashion consumption during the pandemic due to travel restrictions.

Momo, a Xiaohongshu user, critiques the commercialization behind the rise of ‘new Chinese style,’ which she views skeptically. Douyin, China’s TikTok equivalent, reported an 841% surge in sales of mamianqun skirts, priced at around 200 yuan each, on its e-commerce platform compared to the previous year. State broadcaster CCTV noted that Cao county in Shandong province, a major production hub for mamianqun, saw sales totaling 550 million yuan in the first two months of the year, driven by Lunar New Year demand.

Momo criticized some ‘new Chinese style’ products as poorly made but believes their design quality will enhance over time. Despite trends, she remains committed to educating her 33,000 followers on wearing traditional clothing in daily life, emphasizing its cultural significance as a means to foster global understanding.