On January 18, the Taipei Confucius Temple hosted a distinctive fashion show that showcased traditional costumes reimagined by local designers, leaving the audience in awe. According to industry insiders, Taiwan has long been influenced by trends like Harajuku and Korean styles, but now a new generation of young designers from both sides of the strait is embracing Chinese culture as a key selling point. This shift could position cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Taipei as the epicenters of Asian fashion trends.
The choice to wear traditional Chinese attire rather than Japanese-style clothing is more than just a fashion statement—it's deeply tied to national identity. As Ye Licheng, an assistant professor at Taiwan’s Practical University, explains, during the Japanese colonial period, there was a push to Westernize the island's population. Yet many resisted, continuing to wear Qing dynasty garments. Even when some adopted Western clothing, the government fell before any major changes took place.
In the 1930s, the popularity of the cheongsam spread across Taiwan, influenced by the Shanghai wave. To sever Taiwanese people's cultural ties to the mainland, the Japanese authorities enforced school uniforms and introduced tailoring courses to reshape the younger generation’s mindset. Recognizing these efforts, forward-thinking individuals launched a cultural movement promoting traditional Chinese clothing.
During this time, families with close ties to Japan began switching to Japanese attire. In 1936, the Japanese government attempted to promote kimono throughout Taiwan, but failed. After the Kuomintang took control of Taiwan, clothing became a symbol of national identity, and the government banned Japanese-style shoes and uniforms to erase colonial influences.
According to elderly memories, those who fled to Taiwan in 1949 often wore military uniforms, while women's fashion leaned toward elegant blue cheongsams. In the 1950s, American aid brought flour to Taiwan, which many repurposed into pants—some even printed "Sino-U.S. Cooperation" on the back or seat.
By the 1960s, several events helped shape Taiwan's fashion scene. The first Miss Dahua Evening News beauty contest featured Belle in modern outfits, television stations began teaching women how to make clothes through live demonstrations, and the establishment of the Practical College laid the groundwork for fashion education. The opening of the Chinese Department Store and improved economic conditions also fueled consumer demand.
Hong Kong films and TV shows, including Shaw Brothers movies and magazines, had a significant impact on local fashion. In the 1970s, mini skirts and hippie-inspired styles made their way to Taiwan, though the government imposed restrictions on artists wearing unconventional outfits.
In the 1980s, the Bureau of Foreign Trade encouraged designers to label their brands directly on clothing. Qiong Yao’s costume choices in her dramas also set trends, including bell-bottoms. By the 1990s, "sexy" fashion evolved from being seen as inappropriate to becoming a positive trend.
After the "Ha-Ha-Ha-Han" wave, designers turned to Chinese culture for inspiration, incorporating elements like bronze totems, figures from the Qingming scroll, and Song Dynasty elegance. With increased cross-strait exchanges, industry insiders believe that with the support of the mainland market, collaboration between the two sides will help Chinese cities challenge Tokyo’s dominance in Asian fashion.
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