While I wouldn’t say that my clothing is particularly Chinese in flavor, I do hope that when people think of Shiatzy Chen, they think of a brand that has Chinese elements as part of its style trademark. The basic elements of Chinese fashion descend all the way from the Tang and Song dynasties. It has gradually evolved over time, but the spirit remains the same. It has become woven into our mentality, and of course Shiatzy Chen reflects that.
TT: Do you think that your customers come to Shiatzy Chen specifically looking for clothing that has a traditional Chinese feel?
SC: To be honest, I think this is a matter of perception. Why do people think of Chinese style elements as being “old” or “traditional,” while Western clothing is deemed “modern”? Perhaps we take our own culture for granted sometimes, and it is a matter of making Chinese styles more relevant to the current generation. People ask me questions like this quite often, actually. I think that part of the reason is because Western fashion has been quite dynamic and has changed constantly. For example, you can look at Western styles from the 1920s and 1930s, and there are obvious differences between the two decades. On the other hand Chinese clothing has revolved around several basic elements, like the qipao, for a long time.
Of course our clothing has the spirit of traditional Chinese styles because of our heritage. But, ultimately, what makes a design successful is if someone today can enjoy wearing it and looks forward to putting it on. If people feel that your designs fulfill all their requirements for something that is both stylish and practical, then you have succeeded in creating a truly modern aesthetic.
RSS