On January 18, the Taipei Confucius Temple hosted a distinctive fashion show that showcased the creativity of local designers. By integrating traditional Chinese elements into their costumes, the event left the audience in awe. According to industry insiders, while Taiwan once embraced Harajuku and Korean styles, the next generation of designers from both sides of the strait are now drawing inspiration from Chinese culture, positioning cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Taipei as key players in Asian fashion trends.
The choice to embrace traditional attire over Western or Japanese styles is more than just a fashion statement—it reflects a deep connection to cultural identity. As Ye Licheng, an assistant professor of fashion design at Taiwan’s Practical University, explains, during Japan’s colonial rule, there was an effort to westernize the island's population. Yet many resisted, continuing to wear Qing dynasty clothing. Even when some adopted Western-style outfits, the government fell before significant changes could take place.
In the 1930s, the influence of Shanghai brought the cheongsam into popularity in Taiwan. To sever the people’s ties with the mainland, the Japanese authorities enforced school uniforms and introduced tailoring courses to reshape youth perspectives. This prompted a cultural movement among the island’s intellectuals, who advocated for wearing traditional Chinese clothing. Meanwhile, families with closer ties to Japan began adopting Japanese attire.
After 1936, the Japanese government attempted to promote kimono across Taiwan but failed. When the Kuomintang took control, they also emphasized clothing as a symbol of national identity, banning Japanese-style shoes and uniforms to erase colonial influences. Elders recall that those who fled to Taiwan in 1949 often wore military uniforms, while women favored elegant blue cheongsams.
In the 1950s, American aid brought flour to Taiwan, which many repurposed into pants, often displaying the slogan “Sino-U.S. Cooperation†on the back. The 1960s saw a surge in fashion trends: the first Miss Dahua beauty pageant, where contestants wore modern outfits; the launch of television, with designer Wang Rongsheng teaching viewers how to make clothes through model demonstrations; the establishment of the Fashion Department at Practical University; the opening of the first department store, the Chinese Shopping Mall; and the growing influence of Hong Kong films and magazines.
By the 1970s, mini skirts and hippie-inspired styles entered the scene, though authorities imposed restrictions to maintain a “simple folk style.†In the 1980s, the Bureau of Foreign Trade encouraged designers to label their work directly on garments. Qiong Yao’s dramas also influenced fashion, popularizing bell-bottoms and other styles.
Since the 1990s, “sexy†fashion evolved from being controversial to becoming a positive trend. After the “Ha-Ha-Ha-Han†wave, local designers turned to traditional Chinese culture for inspiration—drawing from bronze totems, Qing-era river scenes, and Song Dynasty elegance. With increased cross-strait exchanges, industry experts believe that collaboration between Taiwan and the mainland will position Chinese cities as the new fashion hubs in Asia, replacing Tokyo’s dominance.
Kitchen Towel
Kitchen Towel,Microfiber Waffle Dish Towel,Waffle Weave Cleaning Towel,Waffle Kitchen Tea Towel
Huaian Meisiyu Textiles Co.,Ltd , https://www.cozyclothings.com