Han Couture: Divine Inspiration

WONG:

And with more coverage of NTD's Global Han Couture Design Competition, our team takes a look at some of the reasons that traditional Han style clothing provides a new source of inspiration for todays designers.

STORY:

Divinity: A word not often used to describe fashion. Yet when the clothing in question has the profound background of Han Couture, its the only word that will do.

The Han Chinese people have a saying that their culture is passed down from the heavens. China itself can be referred to as Shenzhou or the Divine Land. But can such deep spirituality really be seen in the very clothes that people wore during the Sui and Tang Dynasties and in these new creations theyve inspired?

[Lili Zhou, Competition Judge]:
We want to bring all these traditional things back. We just want to show the inner beauty and that is the very big message we want to send out."

[Marie Copps, Fashion Designer]:
"I think we have to do that as a society as the whole world has to come back to more spirituality and deeper meaning than just money and material world"

[Maimouna Ngom, Recipient Honorable Mention]:
"That is what I like about this competition, because I read that the chinese culture was given by gods that is what they believe. So I said to myself when I design it has to be divine."

The Tang Dynastys splendid painters and sculptors would lead devout lifestyles, meditate, and look to the heavens for inspiration in creating their artworks. It was often to these masterpieces that the clothing designers of those days would turn to find their models.

Whether casual or formal, the outfits themselves were created to reflect the mood and behavior of tranquil beings, in celestial realms.

At this weekends first annual Han Couture Global Design Competition, designers, models, and spectators shared what was for many a first-time experience: A fashion show where the physical beauty on display was matched equally, even exceeded, by spiritual beauty.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• arts
• crafts
• dance
• beauty
• music
• fashion
• han couture
• international
• show
• competition
• ntdtv
• dress
• beautiful
• unique

[xuantzi]

amazing

[karma999]

I was not talking about this show. I was talking about the general idea of reviving the ancient costume as opposed to just recognizing the Qi Pao as the only cultural dresses. When those Tang poems can survive to these days, why can't the costume?

[itsme61]

you're a monkey's uncle if you can't empathize with the serfs who suffered under the deposed Tibetan theocracy.

[medicinesocks]

you really think the purpose of couture is to bring back spiritual values? the purpose of couture is to comfortably line the pockets of those who design party dresses for the ridiculously rich. couture dresses are worn once, then they're out of style, and new outfits must be purchased for the next gala event. the traditional silks and brocades depicted here are far beyond the means of most working people, even if made by slaves! the philosophy of couture is "money: if you've got it, flaunt it !"

[medicinesocks]

i see. tibetan culture is respected and appreciated in china, tibetan entertainers are adored by the chinese people, none have ever been tortured or killed or exiled for their spiritual beliefs nor is anyone in tibet today oppressed or living in fear of persecution... and i'm a monkey's uncle!

[karma999]

The people who violate human rights are only physically han. They are empty souls who are not representative of traditional Chinese values.

[karma999]

It's spiritual if the purpose is to bring back the values of ancient Chinese culture, which have been so destroyed in the later period, esp. during the Cultural Revolution by the communists. The values I talk about are things such as philosophy (e.g. emphasis on harmony, virtue, etc.) It is the lack and lost of these values that contribute to the "ugly realities" you talk about.

I doubt if these clothes are made exclusive for the rich since they are not made of gold, nor for everyday wear.

[SBTailand]

Beautiful~

Check out the Hanfu（Chinese Traditional Costume) Vedio in my vedio~~

Also Beautiful~ both male and female~

[itsme61]

one of the most popular singers in China is a Tibetan named Han Hong who sang at the Beijing Olympics and was a featured performer at the Beijing Paralympics ceremonies. A Tibetan man was voted most popular performer in a Chinese talent show. Tibetans and other ethic groups usually dress in their native

garb. The Han couture featured here is a lot less expensive than the Diors, Armanis, etc. and relatively inexpensive if manufactured in China.

[medicinesocks]

i don't know anything about tibetans living in other parts of china. you're right, i ought to look into it, learn if they are recognised there as tibetans, treated fairly as such, valued as a community,or if they are discriminated against or pressured to assimilate and deny their own distinct identity. i have no gripe with traditionally inspired garb per se, the clothing in this video is certainly beautiful: my complaint does indeed lodge squarely with the fashion houses of the fabulously rich.