Sexual appeal in media

Sometime, women who portrayed sexy in the fashion media will also affect the adolescent girl or the reader.

I found an interesting survey from Marcus Hultin and Erik Lundh about the sex in advertising and how it influences young men and women.

However in this case, I will focus more on women.

In the article of Marcus Hultin and Erik Lundh, they had run through the survey of how the young women define and reaction when the sexual appeal in advertising.

Therefore, they went to have an interview to some of the young women.

One of the young women define that "The people in advertisement are always within the standards of what is considered as good looking when advertisements are based upon sexual appeal."

People in advertisement or any form of media, women always portrayed looking good and thin.

Sexual appeal not only in the movement advertisements but sometimes images and words can have sexual appeal.

Some of the women said "The companies do not gain anything with sexual appeal in advertising since everybody has it."

From that, seen the sexual appeal that happen in everywhere in nowadays and women who really read the advertisement of others media that doesn't really care about how the sexual appeal because they are women too.

Some believe that sexual appeal in media is more towards to men more than women. Some women will change the brand if the sexual appeal too much.

However, women will feel envy as they will sometimes compare their beauty to the media.

As they want to achieve the thinnest that the models have and so this will build up bad confidence towards women.

Resouce : http://epubl.ltu.se/1404-5508/2004/167/LTU-SHU-EX-04167-SE.pdf

Therefore, what mean to be sexy in the women's thinking? Does it really need to be nude at all? 

I found a blogger that wrote about her favorite model in Malaysia.

In this case, the blogger commented this is not her favourite cover but she's looks like an Auntie here.

The cover of the magazine doesn't appeal sexual towards her but how she's look like.

Resource: http://naomitham.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html

Sometimes , it's depends on how fashion media need the women to be portrayed.

Some online shopping website which selling lingerie or bikini and so women should be dress up sexy in order to show out their product.

Image from : http://www.lelong.com.my/sexy-role-playing-models-nightwear-lingerie-4512-myfancymall-112059333-2012-08-Sale-P.htm

References:

Hultin, M. and Lundh, E. (2004) Sex in advertising: How it influences young men and women.. [Online] Available at: http://epubl.ltu.se/1404-5508/2004/167/LTU-SHU-EX-04167-SE.pdf [Accessed: 29 June 2013].

An article that I found that how the sexual appeal in the media for instance the advertisement influence the men and women . For this case, I using the survey that they done and asked the women how they react. 

Lelong.com.my. (n.d.) Sexy Role-playing Models Nightwear Lingerie 4512. [Image online] Available at: http://www.lelong.com.my/sexy-role-playing-models-nightwear-lingerie-4512-myfancymall-112059333-2012-08-Sale-P.htm [Accessed: 29 June 2013].

An image to support what I'm discuss on how women portrayed in the online retailer to show out how women wearing the product not really in the sexual case but to promote the product itself.

Yomi. (2010) March 2010 | Wild Gold Leaves. [Online] Available at: http://naomitham.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html [Accessed: 29 June 2013].

I have use the image from the blog and found what the blogger that talks about her ideal Amber Chia.

Mindmaps & brainstorms

the 1st mindmap I wrote.

After meeting with Daniel, he suggests I can use the theory of real, symbolic and imaginary to talks about how women portrayed in fashion media and how it reflect their behaviors and attitudes

After that , I brainstorm again on what my essay should write about. 

I will be apply the theory of feminism and the gaze concept in my essay and link it to the case study that I probably using the malaysia Chinese magazine ,ifeel and website those selling fashion clothes.

I will be research more on how fashion media affects on women behavior, perhaps using the symbolic , real and imaginary to analyze.

Malay women fashion media

Found an research article that noted down the points of how malay women portrayed in media

(i) in an ideal yet artificial state of perfect facial beauty
(ii) passive and as a precious object owned by men
(iii) young with the characteristics of intelligent, cheerful and beautiful
(iv) being absolutely slim in all conditions
(v) having high confidence even in their worst periods of the month.

However those points are for general media but not really specific on fashion media but somehow they are close.

Resource : http://www.cmr-journal.org/article/view/9566/6595

From that, I found that most of the women no wonder in which races, point (i), (iii) and (iv) that we can normally seen in fashion media. Nowadays in Malaysia, malay fashion trends are getting more influenced by the Western fads. Lets look at one of the example below:

Malaysia fashion show from the designer of Nazreen Idris who is one of Malaysia's most passionate and promosing fashion designer that designs fashion apparel, wedding gowns and provides fashion consultation and makeup services. From the video above, we can see that most of her wedding design has change to modern and some of them are quite influenced by Western. However,  we can see the women who portrayed in the fashion show does not wear "tudung"(the hijab)/ the headscarf anymore compare to the traditional malay wedding dress. Although some of the rules of malay's conservatism still remain but we can see a little bit expose at the 1st model that in the fashion show .

Resource : http://my.shop.88db.com/nazreenidris/

Image taken from : http://malaysianhijab.blogspot.com/2009/08/malaysian-artist-wedding.html

The only reason that I found which Nazreen Idris targeted on the group of non-muslim more than the muslim. As "Muslim women might wear a hijab that covers the shoulders and hangs over the forehead, non-Muslim women might wear a simple piece of cloth that covers the back of their head."

Resource : http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-malaysian-hijab.htm


However, I found a page of the Hijabista magazine in Facebook.

;

Image taken from : https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=567221366671099&set=pb.201659423227297.-2207520000.1375521022.&type=3&theater

In Hijabista, tend to target on the muslim women to provide more information on the phrase in the right page "What to wear when you're a new Muslim women fashionista can create a challenge." Muslim women who read this magazine that inspired them on how to wear to become more fashionable. 

As Zulkifli Abd. Latiff noted :

Fashion is a form of self-expression and growing number of Muslim women leads to the experimentation of blending modesty and attraction into their looks. This recent interest in Muslim fashion also signals the changing dynamics of the ever-increasing interaction among Eastern and Western cultures. The inspiration from catwalk, the high street and fashion magazines influence the girls in Hijab to looking great in their outfit at the same time covered their body.

*Resource : http://www.joig.org/uploadfile/2013/0510/20130510051240774.pdf

References :

Hijab-ista, Inc. (2013) Hijab-ista, Inc. has been featured in the latest publication of Got Wudu Magazine- Page 16-17. [Image Online] Available at: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=567221366671099&set=pb.201659423227297.-2207520000.1375521022.&type=3&theater [Accessed: 15 June 2013].

The image that I use for the argument on the Muslim wear.

Idris, N. (2011) Nazreen idris , Malaysia Fashion show , Wedding dresses Collection 2011. [Video Online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO9vubn-tLk [Accessed: 15 June 2013].

Found the fashion show from Malaysia fashion designer in Youtube.com and how the women has portrayed in the media.

Idris, N. (n.d.) Nazreen Idris - Apparel Design, Fashion Consultation & Makeup Services. [Online] Available at: http://my.shop.88db.com/nazreenidris/ [Accessed: 15 June 2013].

The website that has some information about Nazreen Idris, one of the famous fashion designer.

MALAYSIAN HIJAB BLOG. (2009) Malaysian celebrity wedding. [Image Online] Available at: http://malaysianhijab.blogspot.com/2009/08/malaysian-artist-wedding.html [Accessed: 15 June 2013].

An image that show how the traditional wedding clothes of Malay in Malaysia.

Weng Marc, L. and Ding Hooi, T. (2011) The Construction of Beauty in Malay Magazine Advertisements | Lim | Contemporary Management Research. [Online] Available at: http://www.cmr-journal.org/article/view/9566/6595 [Accessed: 15 June 2013].

I found the points that they noted in their article may help in my essay.

wiseGEEK. (n.d.) What Is a Malaysian Hijab?. [Online] Available at: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-malaysian-hijab.htm [Accessed: 15 June 2013].

The website talks about what meaning about the Malaysian Hijab and who can be wear that.

Feminism

What is Feminism?

According to Mrs. Chancey, the meaning of Feminism is

1. The theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes

2. Organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests

In Mrs. Chancey's article, she noted that there are 3 waves in Feminism.

The first wave are the "equity feminists" which women's seek to promote have equal treatment in the society.The second wave are which women's hope that there is no line between women and men. However, in nowadays, we can see the third wave of feminism. Women tend to be not so conservative than previous time. As one third-wave feminist Amy Richards of feminist.com writes that,

There are many definitions of what a feminist is--the simplest and probably the best is what is listed in most dictionaries--"a person who believes in the full equality of women and men." This means anyone--male or female--who supports this idea can be a feminist. As for [the] goal of feminism, [it] is equality--and that means both that women do what men have done (be fire fighters and corporate executives) and that men do what women have done (be stay-at-home fathers and secretaries).

From that, we know that in nowadays, the role of women and men can be switch. As women can play the men role in the society that we can see women can form their own business, getting more respect in the society. In otherwise, men can play the rose of women as a "housewife" staying at home and taking care of their children.

Resources: : http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/LAF_Theme_Articles_13/What_Is_Feminism_61006.shtml

I found a book "Approaches to understanding visual culture" by Malcolm Barnard from The One Academy's library probably can be use in my essay. Inside the book, I have picked the chapter of Feminism: Personal and Political that Bernard has discuss.

The visual culture means ‘the visual field has begun to be explored with thoroughness and global understanding unique in the history of human self-reflection’ 

In the chapter, Barnard gave an example of the book of As Long as it's Pink: The Sexual Politics of Taste Illustrates author , Sparke connect her personal experience over the last thirty year to class and gender structure . She said the popular culture such as fashion had provided variety of styles which she could refer to and form her own personal style of dressing. 

Barnard wrote down there are two assumption of the women role in media. The first assumption is that, the primary role of women as they are the domestic service to husband, children and home. As Sparke note that it's the division on the sexual of labour. The role of men and women diverse in a clear line that men are usually do not do housework however the women does which it can be link to what Mrs. Chancey noted of the first wave of feminism . In advertising, designers assume that women are the sole user of home appliances. However in the second assumptions,  that domestic appliances make women's live easier. 

Bernard note that,

Advertising stereotypes women as ‘mother ,cleaners,cooks,and nurses’. It also portrays idealized and ‘fantasy’ version of femininity –‘ the immaculate designer kitchen with superwomen in control’, balancing the roles of career woman and perfect wife.

However, he also noted that, 

Women wearing these fashions are not passively receiving and consuming the meanings of the clothes they wear. Nor are they using fashion to express an already-existing class or gender identity. Instead. They are constructing their own versions of femininity and class identity from the styles that are available.

References:

Barnard, M. (2001) Approaches to understanding visual culture. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave. [90-103]

Found the Barnard that discuss of the feminism and I've copy some points that may help inside my essay.

Chancy. (2011) What Is Feminism?. [Online] Available at: http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/LAF_Theme_Articles_13/What_Is_Feminism_61006.shtml [Accessed: 14 June 2013].

Found this article very useful that helps me understand more of feminism that have 3 movements in the pass.

Ideal body image in Malaysia

I have bought a Malaysia chinese fashion magazine , ifeel

this post will be discussing how media affects on women body image and behaviour.

Image 1

Image 2

Especially for the adolescent girls who are becoming women in the future which this magazine has targeted for. As Erica Laurén Sanders discussed in his research journal, she noted "Adolescent girls have become a prime target because they are new and inexperienced consumers. They are in the process of learning their values and roles and developing their self-concepts." From that,  seems like all the fashion media has targeted on most of the adolescent girls because of their innocent and immature mind set that can be easily affected.  Other reason that fashion media targeted to adolescent girls due to their having more time which allowed them to explore more things in fashion than a adult women who's working. Adolescent girls can spend several hours on the fashion media which they can get via internet. 

Resource : http://www.kon.org/urc/v8/sanders.html

As we can see that nowadays, adolescent girls or women are getting more and more slim or underweight in order to look "nicer". Their mind are set to the thinnest of the body is equal to the prettiest of the outlook as they always refer to the fashion base media. In the discussion article from Haliza Mohd Riji PhD of his personal view of this issue, he noted "The media plays a significant role in portraying the meaning of beauty through its representation of women. These influences largely influence and alter women’s perceptions of their body image and in trying to meet the goals of beauty as represented by the media. This may result in dissatisfaction with their body image." 

In image 2 shows, the thin model is wearing quite like masculine garment, a bit of hip-hop style in order to bring out the feeling of the garment. As Haliza also noted "beauty myths are created through images in magazines, films, and beauty contests; they work in tandem with highly effective marketing of the beauty products and fashion to transmit ideas about how women should look like. " The image 2 will shows that this is how the way of "normal women" wearing of those garment so that to affect women's mind set as this is how the style looks like but with a thin body image. So most of the women who like this wearing style will try their best to reduce their weight which as same as the model in the image 2 in order to express the same feel as they saw in the image.

Besides, in Haliza's article, she found out that 43.3% of female in Kuala Lumpur were attracted to the models in beauty product advertisement. However, nine out of ten of the them said the women in beauty advertisement were portrayed as 'beautiful', while three-quarters thought they were 'young and attractive. 

However, women who in order to become looks like the model inside magazine, will cause them eating disorder. Nowadays, women likes to choose to skip their meal to reduce their weight or they choose to have an unbalance diet that will cause unhealthiness on their body. In J.Kevin Thompson article, in his discussion, those magazine advertisements and articles on on personal conceptions of ideal shape and how to obtain it accounted for significant variance in weight management behavior, disordered eating, and drive for thinness in adolescent girls. Women having body dissatisfaction and eating-disordered symptoms because they doesn't have the slender ideal body shape as what has expose in fashion media.  

Image 3

Other than that , Haliza noticed that both men and women are increasingly becoming unhappy about their body image; the resulting poor self-esteem in many of them lead to a search for cosmetic enhancement. However, female faces are judged to be more attractive if they have delicate jaws, full lips, small noses, high cheekbones, and large eyes. The fashion media plays an important role which some of women they can learn the make up tutorial which provided in media. From that, the media has influence them the way of the make up which can make them more pretty. 

However, different media such as advertisement that targeted different customer. For example, those advertisement with fair skin which promoting mask only targeted on asian but not for african. It's because asian people are more focus on how fair and brightness of their skin to looks more pretty. As in a Chinese term we call it "a white cover three ugly" which means that white can cover up all the shortcoming such as the body fatness, the height, the outlook and etc in one women. 

In addition, the slimming advertisement only targeted on certain women. This may led to my personal own experience as last time I was working as a part timer to sell out the London Weight Management slimming voucher which only RM10. We, my partner and I were given some flyers to distribute and promote in the same time .It was a hard time that we need to target on the women who above 21 years old and with overweight issues and approached and pursuit them in order to sell out the voucher. However, some of the women who doesn't looks fat but their BMI is under the overweight category were interested to buy the voucher so that they wish to have the treatment to push them under the underweight category in order to achieve their ideal of body image.

In conclusion, most of the fashion media that targeted on the adolescent girl who they are building their own self-concept and easily affected. Most of the women becoming more and more unhealthy due to skipping their meal and unbalance diet in order to keep their body slim to looks more "beautiful" as Haliza noted "people are killing themselves to look beautiful". However, most of the media that only targeted on certain group of women such as the mask for fair skin and the slimming product and so on. 

Resources :
http://e-mfp.org/v1n1/pdf/opinion.pdf

http://jkthompson.myweb.usf.edu/articles/The%20Media's%20Influence%20on%20Body%20Image%20Disturbance.pdf

References :

Laurén Sanders, E. (n.d.) Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences. [Online] Available at: http://www.kon.org/urc/v8/sanders.html [Accessed: 9 June 2013].

An article that allow me more understand of what fashion media that targeted on.

Mohd Riji, H. (2006) BEAUTY OR HEALTH? A PERSONAL VIEW. [Online] Available at: http://e-mfp.org/v1n1/pdf/opinion.pdf [Accessed: 9 June 2013].

A very useful article that Haliza argue what the model weather choose to be more beauty but lost their health.

Thompson, J. and J.Heinberg, L. (1999) The Media's Influence on Body Image Disturbance and Eating Disorders: We've Reviled Them, Now Can We Rehabilitate Them?. [Online] Available at: http://jkthompson.myweb.usf.edu/articles/The%20Media's%20Influence%20on%20Body%20Image%20Disturbance.pdf [Accessed: 9 June 2013].

The articles that talks about how the media that influence on women's attitude that affect them eating disorders

Augmented reality: Virtual Changing Room

"Augmented reality allows the customer to select a garment off the rack without having to try it on physically," according to the creator of the Virtual Fitting Room, AR Door.

A new augmented reality fitting room has installed in Moscow's Top Shop. This device allows customers to try on the clothes without naked and even try on the clothes that going to release soon.

Virtual changing room is getting more popular in nowadays. With a device, Microsoft Kinect, which scan buyer with full body motion with the equipped Kinect camera. Buyer stands infront of the device, and she/he will able to see her/himself in the screen, buyer pose as the outline of body that projected in the screen therefore the device could detect the body sizes of the buyer. After that , a 3D peice of clothing is projected in the screen which follow the buyer's body. Kinect camera that sense and the motion of the buyer. It's not touch screen base but it's hand motion ,buyer can uses their hands and reach to the icon which shows in the screen to switch the new clothes. Buyer can simply moving their hands or arms to the left or right to switch garments. Besides, buyer could also screen shoot of their virtual clothing in the screen.

This concept has apply in others online retailer. However, the uses of Microsoft's Xbox 360 console so that buyer could turn their body around and the clothing will turn with them. 

Resource : 

http://www.sodahead.com/living/would-you-trust-a-virtual-changing-room/question-1800041/?link=ibaf&q=&imgurl=http://images.sodahead.com/polls/001800041/023960811_21abwiw_xlarge.jpeg

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109987-Kinect-Takes-the-Hassle-Out-of-Trying-On-Trousers

A new shopping application called Fashionista has also use something similar concept, available at the site Tobi.com from Zugara and Rich Relevance, that brings augmented reality motion capture. It's an online retailer that allowed buyer to test up the clothes that they added in to the cart in the virtual fitting room. With motion capture interface, buyer should print the marker down and hold it to the nice position which fits the buyer's body and release the marker when it is in a satisfy position. Same concept with the TopShop, buyer can move their arms to the icon for switching another clothes. Other than that, buyer can like or dislike the clothes by moving their arm in to the like or dislike button. Buyer can take a photo of herself and save it or share on Facebook.

However, it's quite trouble with using the marker because it's easy to get the wrong location of the buyer's body position as it is only given 3 seconds.

Resource:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/16/tobicom-fashionista-virtu_n_359674.html

http://www.ideabounty.com/blog/post/2516/

The concept doesn't only use for garments but also accessories.

Then, I found another example, the Boutique Accessaries that using the same concept too but no need the marker to locate the nice position.

Resource: http://www.boutiqueaccessories.com.au/www/701/1001127/1001664.asp#.UeZr9GQpbdJ

Another example that I found is the F&F Virtual Fitting Room by Metail. It's an online retailer that allows user upload their portrait and creates a virtual 3D body in the fitting room for them.  However, user need to move the points in the correct position and enter the measurement of the height, weight, waistline and so on, in order to make a similar face and body shape. By having the virtual 3D body , user could change their hair style and clothes to see whether it's fits them. From that, I found this is more concrete compare with the 3 examples above.

I found this concept is more like a fashion game that usually for kids to play.  :p

Further reading :
http://www.clothingattesco.com/f+f-virtual-fitting-room/page/tesco-virtual-fittingroom/

In conclusion, from the examples that showed above, we know that in nowadays, Virtual Fitting Room is a trend that helps the market of online retailer increase as it's getting more consumers. As Mr Benoff said "The Webcam Social Shopper is an application that turns online clothes shopping into a fun, interactive and inherently social experience" .

Indeed, it's interactive between the device and human that consumers could try out a virtual clothes through the webcam and share on their social network such as Facebook to get some feedbacks from their friends or family before they going to buy.

Daniel Feiler, director of communications for eBay Asia Pacific, said consumers would buy almost anything online if given the right level of information.

He said, "Augmented reality is another tool helping retailers to give their customers even greater confidence when shopping online," From that, although the virtual fitting room is not real but something that close to reality. It's a good way to getting more customers to trust and feel more confidence on their website.

With this media, it can be part of promote fashion. However ,I see that the virtual clothes somehow in the standard size when it projected with the customer. What if the customer with a much more horizontal body, will it shows bigger size of the virtual clothes ? However, through out the video that I showed above , I see that women posing with confidence in front of the webcam. Therefore, confidence is needed other than beauty and sexy when women portrayed in fashion media.

Resource : http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/another-blow-to-retailers-virtual-dressing-rooms-20110809-1ijxa.html

I found an article about the advantage and disadvantage of augmented reality 3D virtual fitting rooms.

Read more :
http://www.sixteen-nine.net/2012/01/13/guest-post-the-good-and-bad-of-augmented-reality-3d-virtual-fitting-rooms/

References:

ARDOORMoscow. (2011) Kinect Fitting Room for Topshop. [Video online] Available at: http://youtu.be/L_cYKFdP1_0 [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

The video that I found interesting and inspire me to blog about it.

Basson, M. (2010) The Fashionista Virtual Dressing Room. [Online] Available at: http://www.ideabounty.com/blog/post/2516/ [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Another example that I show to discuss the virtual changing room.

Benoff, J. (2012) Guest Post: The Good and Bad of Augmented Reality 3D Virtual Fitting Rooms. [Online] Available at: http://www.sixteen-nine.net/2012/01/13/guest-post-the-good-and-bad-of-augmented-reality-3d-virtual-fitting-rooms/ [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

The another articles that for user to have further reading of the advantage and disadvantage of the virtual fitting rooms.

Bosker, B. (2011). Tobi.com Fashionista: Virtual Fitting Room For Online Shoppers (VIDEO). [Online] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/16/tobicom-fashionista-virtu_n_359674.html [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Another example that I show to discuss the virtual changing room.

BoutiqueAccessories. (2011) Virtual Mirror | Try on Jewellery with your webcam at Boutique Accessories. [Video online] Available at: http://youtu.be/2UrnnMtElls [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Another example that I show to discuss the virtual changing room.

Boutiqueaccessories.com.au. (2011) Fashion Accessories by Boutique Accessories. [Online] Available at: http://www.boutiqueaccessories.com.au/www/701/1001127/1001664.asp#.UebI72QpbdK [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Find this website for further information of Boutiqueaccesories.com.

ClothingatTesco. (2012) F&F Virtual Fitting Room by Metail. [Video online] Available at: http://youtu.be/UhYlvCROhck [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Another example that I show to discuss the virtual changing room.

Clothingattesco.com. (n.d.) Clothing at Tesco | F&F Virtual Fitting Room. [Online] Available at: http://www.clothingattesco.com/f+f-virtual-fitting-room/page/tesco-virtual-fittingroom/ [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Find this website for further information of F&F.

Goldman, T. (2011) Kinect Takes the Hassle Out of Trying On Trousers. [Online] Available at: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109987-Kinect-Takes-the-Hassle-Out-of-Trying-On-Trousers [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Further information of the virtual changing room.

Lusey, C. (2011) Would You Trust a "Virtual" Changing Room?. [Online] Available at: http://www.sodahead.com/living/would-you-trust-a-virtual-changing-room/question-1800041/?link=ibaf&q=&imgurl=http://images.sodahead.com/polls/001800041/023960811_21abwiw_xlarge.jpeg [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Further information of the virtual changing room.

Moses, A. (2011) Another blow to retailers: virtual dressing rooms. [Online] Available at: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/another-blow-to-retailers-virtual-dressing-rooms-20110809-1ijxa.html [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Further information of the virtual dressing rooms.

Publigeekaire. (2009) publigeekaire.com / Fashionista - Dressing virtel pour Tobi.com. [Video online] Available at: http://youtu.be/bEHoQBS2dlo [Accessed: 8 June 2013].

Another example that I show to discuss the virtual changing room.

History of China women's wear

When we think of China fashion, the first idea comes out in our mind is Cheungsam. Cheungsam in Mandrin word Qipao that is a classic Chinese garment for women. The Qipao which means Manchu banner robe , it's originates from Manchu dress of the Qing dynasty.

Image taken from : http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/evrev/cheungsam.htm

The Cheungsam which can be made from fabric , with two pieces of cloth either long or short sleeves , the cut follow the form of woman's body which shows out the slim and slenderness.

Women with Cheungsam that could qualify the beautifulness of the shape of body and movement of walk. As the image above, woman wearing Cheungsam could shows out the grace and elegance and a little sexiness on the legs at the split end of the cloth.

Resources: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/evrev/cheungsam.htm

However, the political, economic and social will affect how women fashion is the era.

I found a article about the evolution of Chinese women's dress and appearance. Inside the article has noted "clothing and appearance not only can reflect the identity of gender, but also can reflect a given economic, culture, political and social system".

Therefore, in the previous time 1950s in China destiny, women has no right to stand up and talk but they are under control by their father and hushband. Around that time, no matter the age or sex, women dressed the "Mao green" that all people dressed up the same color and work as equal as the men.

Image taken from : http://www.chinahush.com/2010/10/04/from-1900-to-2010-variation-of-chinese-woman-fashion/

Annie Lee noted that the love and beauty always supplement each other. When love disappears in people’s life, beauty turns evil. In that time, judging on appearance is forbidden, everyone doesn't care of their looking but they do care about whether they can work. Perhaps, war in that time has diminished the beautiful image of women. 

Fortunately, in the later period of 1980s-1990s, women fashion became better. Women has the freedoms of what to wear ,they can dress up smartly as copies of Hong Kong, Japan and Korea . As Xiaolan Wang noted the Chinese women depend on media very much in choosing their dress style and clothes. From that, media or commercial advertising has affect every women's minds of the ideal of dressing and stylish. However, women fashion in China becoming more modern and more toward to Western style.

Resources : http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07142005-093123/unrestricted/Wang_thesis.pdf

Resources & Further reading : http://www.chinahush.com/2010/10/04/from-1900-to-2010-variation-of-chinese-woman-fashion/

References :

Lee, A. (2010) From 1900 to 2010, variation of Chinese woman fashion | ChinaHush. [Online] Available at: http://www.chinahush.com/2010/10/04/from-1900-to-2010-variation-of-chinese-woman-fashion/ [Accessed: 2 Jun 2013].

I found the image from here to show how the women present when wearing the "Mao green" and the reason why women in the pass wore like that.

Powerhousemuseum.com. (n.d.) Evolution and revolution: Chinese dress 1700s-1990s - Cheungsam. [Online] Available at: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/evrev/cheungsam.htm [Accessed: 2 Jun 2013].

The articles that talks about the history of how women wears in the past time in China.

Powerhousemuseum.com. (n.d.) Evolution and revolution: Chinese dress 1700s-1990s - Cheungsam. [Image online] Available at: http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/evrev/cheungsam.htm [Accessed: 2 Jun 2013].

The same articles that talks about the history of how women wears in the past time in China but I'm using the image inside.

Wang, X. (2005) Changing face: The Evolution of Chinese Women's dress and appearance. [Online] Available at: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-07142005-093123/unrestricted/Wang_thesis.pdf [Accessed: 2 Jun 2013].

I found the points of China wearing is mostly copy from Hong Kong, Japan and Korea.