Week 6: Asian Chic

Week 6

(Re)Appropriation and Ownership of Culture

Material Mao

Zoe Martin

Asian Chic

The article, “Material Mao” discusses the peak of Asian chic fashion. Many fashion designers draw inspiration from their cultures, bringing elements of their ethnic backgrounds into their designs. Traditional Asian signifiers are also discussed; for example, the lotus flower, peonies, dragons, and bamboo are what fashion houses and journalists view as “Asian” when they are seen on the runway. Additionally, some designers choose to use Asian elements in the presentation of their clothes, rather than within the clothing themselves. For example, Margie Tsai’s neutral collection was displayed with bamboo and blue and white porcelain decoration throughout the shop. I thought that the addition of culture to the shopping experience was an interesting approach because the clothing lacked Asian signifiers.

I found this topic of Asian signifiers especially interesting. I wonder, why are all of these signifiers borrowed from Chinese culture? Why is the fashion industry inherently excluding the multitude of other cultures within Asia? I felt as if Philippine culture wasn’t represented in this Asian chic movement. These signifiers are a result of Orientalism, in which other countries and cultures are ignored.

My design for a modern Filipiana dress

This article is especially striking this week because I began a dress project in my Advanced Fashion Design class last week. I drew my inspiration from my own culture and designed a modern Filipiniana dress. This article made me reflect upon the history and context of my inspiration, and whether or not my inspiration and design were cautious of cultural appropriation. As an Asian-American designer, I feel more empowered to use my design voice to share the diversity and richness of the Philippine culture with others, and I am so excited to see how my dress design will turn out!