Ancient Chinese Fashion Comeback
Tiya Antony
Fashion News Editor
Fashion trends tend to make a comeback after numerous years, and this can be seen currently in China with the mamianqun or horse face skirt. The mamianqun is a type of hanfu, or traditional clothing of the Han Chinese, that includes a flat front piece and pleated sides. This traditional piece was originally created during the Song Dynasty and now is being mixed with different fabrics and accessories to have a modern look.
The skirt is included into the ‘new Chinese style’ in which traditional Chinese aesthetics are incorporated into modern designs for clothing, furniture, and more. This marketing trend gains the attention of Gen Z’s fashion, as they adapt the trend to express themselves culturally. Gen Z is embracing their own culture and heritage, by being more confident within themselves and this is clear with the growing mamianqun sales. Especially with the pandemic and restrictions on travel, the newest generation has been able to become more aware of themselves and want to embrace themselves through fashion choices.
The ‘new Chinese style’ is not new at all, as it just allows for the commercialization of traditional pieces to be mixed into new, modern pieces. The start of the Splendid Mamianqun exhibition was in May at the Shanghai Textiles Museum to showcase ancient mamianqun’s and new innovative designs. The exhibition curator, Ma Wenjuan, introduced the skirt to a larger audience and explained the various features. Western brands and designs have also valued the horse face skirt as fashion allows cultural exchanges to occur. Last September, the mamianqun was displayed at the Paris Fashion Week. At the start of 2024, hanfu has been displayed in costume parades and carnivals in Italy and Rome. Hanfu is typically more popular during the Chinese New Year holiday season, but the style is even more common now with tourists visiting cultural heritage sites.
The mamianqun is being embraced by Gen Z as self-expression of the ancient Chinese aesthetic, wisdom, philosophy, and craftsmanship. The skirt was created to be a versatile garment so it can easily be modified for everyday wear, easy movement, and ceremonious occasions. The evolution of traditional pieces into modernity reflects the cultural progression and history of China. We can expect traditional clothing from various cultures to become more popular in mainstream fashion as people express their backgrounds more.
Contact Tiya at antonyti@shu.edu