[Polis]

Look at this, isn't it great? Han time is back ! ;-)

This post has been edited by General_Zhaoyun: 12 May 2008 - 12:52 AM

[General_Zhaoyun]

There is currently a Hanfu (Han clothing) fashion movement across China.

It's not just revival of traditional hanfu, but all kinds of traditional clothing including those of ethnic minorities such as Tibetan, Mongols, Manchu etc.

It's good for such a traditional clothing design competition in China. Yes, hanfu is beautiful

[Polis]

General_Zhaoyun, on May 12 2008, 12:55 AM, said:

There is currently a Hanfu (Han clothing) fashion movement across China.

It's not just revival of traditional hanfu, but all kinds of traditional clothing including those of ethnic minorities such as Tibetan, Mongols, Manchu etc.

It's good for such a traditional clothing design competition in China. Yes, hanfu is beautiful

I think so too...

[misha]

Honestly my grandmother loves Hanfu design dresses than cheongsam. But see here in the Philippines Cheongsam is more popular than Hanfu design clothes. Although I have one Hanfu design gown which I wore last Chinese New year. Everybody loves it.

Below is the design which I asked my designer to copy. However I have a pink one and not this blue one to make it according to my taste and style

[Chen06]

I love Hanfu as well but currently alot of the Hanfu that they are selling in China look so tacky and cheap(the designs,fit,colors,fabric,etc.). They dont capture the elegance and refinement of those Hanfu that you see in old paintings(like the Ming hanfu in my sig). Compared to Kimono, the Hanfu for sale right now are(in general) rather poor and unprofessional. Japan has developed economically as a nation and have been wearing Kimono continuously. China on the other-hand lost the Hanfu when the Manchu's uprooted the remnants of the Ming and established the Qing. The Hanfu wasnt payed any attention to during the Mao era either. Since China has been rather poor and undeveloped up until now( they are still a developing nation and potential superpower), they have not really been able to develop their traditional clothing(Hanfu) to the point that Japan has. The Kimonos we see now are mainly modern renditions made with modern materials, techniques, while still maintaining a "Japanese" look. I think with the increasing economic prosperity that China is continuing to enjoy, the Hanfu movement, and the increasing interest by the government and people in the revival and restoration of Chinese culture in general, it is only a matter of time until we start seeing increasingly beautiful and elaborate Hanfu that can rival the elegance of the Hanfu of past dynasties. Just think about it, Kimonos have developed to the point that they are popular and well known throughout the world, worn by modern Japanese for festivals and for fun, and can cost up to thousands of dollars for really nice ones. Hanfu are still
largely made by Hanfu enthusiasts instead of professional tailors or companies like almost all Kimonos. If you have ever seen the Hanfu in movies(Hero,House of Flying Daggers,Curse of Golden Flower), that is what Hanfu for sale should be like - well made by Professional tailors and designers instead of by some amateur enthusiast or tailors who have no knowledge in making proper hanfu. I know that Hanfu in movies may not be 100% historically accurate( neither are the ones for sale and neither are modern designs of Kimono either) but the Hanfu seen in these movies are designed by professionals who have studied the Hanfu of that period extensively and are made by tailors that do this for a job.( The empress and emperors Hanfu in Curse of Golden Flower took hundreds of tailors and months to make)

Here are photos of some tacky hanfu IMO












and here are some better quality ones that look more refined and elegant. These seem to be more recent ones that are made by professionals. Hopefully, this will continue to be the trend since with the increasing interest in Hanfu and the increasing demand for quality Hanfu by enthusiasts and fans of Chinese culture, more and more tailors/companies/people are becoming interested in Hanfu and making ones of professional quality opposed to those made earlier on in the Hanfu revival movement by enthusiasts.(They only made Hanfu because there was nowhere to buy them opposed to the Japan where you can buy Kimono practically anywhere)

This post has been edited by Chen06: 01 August 2008 - 06:49 PM

[misha]

I haven't seen any new Hanfu that was being sold in China right now? Is the design I chose is included to them? I just want to know so that the next time I ask my designer to make a Hanfu for me, I would know it is has the elegance factor just like the before.

[Chen06]

Here are some more...


here are Hanfu made for Curse of Golden Flower. These were meticulously made by professional tailors with a hefty budget( a much larger budget then your average Hanfu enthusiast for sure)






and here are some Hanfu from Ming paintings

[Chen06]

Some different kinds of Hanfu worn during the Ming










This one is an Empress of the Song Dynasty



monks during of the Song Dynasty






BTY, Zhaoyun - the competition is not being held in China. It seems that it is being held in New York City. Just wanted to point that out

This post has been edited by Chen06: 30 July 2008 - 11:05 PM

[kaiselin]

Chen06, on Jul 30 2008, 11:01 PM, said:

The main differences besides the home sewer and the tailored Hanfu is that the home sewer is skimping on both the amount of fabric used and in the quality of the fabric. Given a choice between the two, you can find cheaper fabrics that will drape and move almost as well as the expensive ones. but you can not skimp on the volume of the sleeves and circumference of the hem and get the sumptuous look you are striving for.

The second picture is an example of someone who was not a bad sewer, but did not use enough fabric in the skirt of the Hanfu. Look at the same pattern in the Hanfus in the first picture.( #1, 2 ,5) Even though not sewn as well they look more realistic because the fabric is softer and there is more fullness in the skirt.

Quote

This post has been edited by kaiselin: 30 July 2008 - 11:30 PM

[Chen06]

kaiselin, on Jul 30 2008, 11:27 PM, said:

The main differences besides the home sewer and the tailored Hanfu is that the home sewer is skimping on both the amount of fabric used and in the quality of the fabric. Given a choice between the two, you can find cheaper fabrics that will drape and move almost as well as the expensive ones. but you can not skimp on the volume of the sleeves and circumference of the hem and get the sumptuous look you are striving for.

The second picture is an example of someone who was not a bad sewer, but did not use enough fabric in the skirt of the Hanfu. Look at the same pattern in the Hanfus in the first picture.( #1, 2 ,5) Even though not sewn as well they look more realistic because the fabric is softer and there is more fullness in the skirt.

Yeah, I know what you mean. But, What are the ( #1, 2 ,5) you are referring to in the 1st picture? You are talking about the one with multiple people in Hanu with KFC and Mickey D's in the back right?

[kaiselin]

Chen06, on Jul 31 2008, 12:38 AM, said:

Yeah, I know what you mean. But, What are the ( #1, 2 ,5) you are referring to in the 1st picture? You are talking about the one with multiple people in Hanu with KFC and Mickey D's in the back right?

Im sorry, I was not clear on that. Yes I am referring to the front row of girls in that picture. The floral one on the left, the one next to it and the last one on the right are all the same style hanfu as the one in the second picture.




The mistakes in the second ones pattern is the lowest layer did not go all the way to her left side and instead started from center front.
The curve of the rest of the wrap of the skirt was cut on to acute an angle as well as being cut on a straight line from the bottom hem to the end wrap at the waist rather then have been cut on a semi circle, or a curve. If cut properly the wrap will be on the bias and allow a great ease in movement.

[misha]

I think those Hanfu's material isn't the good quality ones. My ama used a more fabric that drape freely and it really looks good. The one with a golden color is the one she wore during the Chinese new year, but of course without the head dress.

[kaiselin]

I have a serious question.
Was the sheer piece of fabric that is shown draped over the arms used for anything besides just a light piece to float on the wind and create an image of lightness.?

Was it used like the shawl of an Indian sari as a head / hair wrap? that is the only thing I can think of that might be a functional use. Otherwise it must have been a huge pain in the behind to always have to adjust.

[Chen06]

Kaiselin, I am pretty sure it wasnt used as a head wrap or anything. I think it was just there for the elegance factor. And, I think that thing was connected to the rest of the Hanfu so it wouldnt fall off.

[kaiselin]

If I understand correctly all these examples are concidered Hanfu. Are there seperate names for each sub style?
I really like #2 the best and would like to know how to easily refer to it as opposed to the other styles.

traditional Hanfu #1

[/quote]


traditional Hanfu #2


traditional Hanfu #3



traditional Hanfu #4

This post has been edited by kaiselin: 01 August 2008 - 09:35 PM