Transcript Chinese Clothing - Welcome to The Manhattan New School Projects

Chinese Clothing
By Lea Vula
Clothing is a huge part of China. If it
wasn’t for Yuan Dynasty there would
be no clothing. Clothing is a
wonderful thing that happened. Did
you know that people who were rich
were the ones to usually wear silk.
Want to learn more. Turn to the next
page.
COTTON
In Yuan dynasty, Mongols brought, cotton to
China. First people didn’t even like cotton,
maybe because the people running silk
Industry wanted people to keep buying silk.
But Mongol invasions in 1200’s destroyed a
lot of mulberry trees that were needed to
make silk. The Mongol emperors like Kyblai
Khan, turned to cotton to fill the gaps. In
1289 AD they were ordered to the opening of
special training centers to teach farmers how
to grow the cotton. And in 1296 they ordered
that farmers who grew cotton could pay
very lower taxes. Soon everybody loved
cotton better than ramie on hemp. Cotton
was warmer and softer and much more
stronger and cheaper you could make it, thin
for summer, or you can make thick padded
clothes out of it that were warm for winter.
COLOR
Traditional Chinese clothing is used for
color by symbolism. Colors represented
the seasons with green signifying
spring, red signifying summer, and
white signifying winter. Dark colored
clothing with bright designs in tapestry
was used for ceremonial clothing, while
the common people conventionally
wore lighter colors. Red, the color of
blood was a symbol for life and its
happiness, wealth, Fame and good luck.
CLOTHING WORN IN
CHINA
While western dress such as business suits
and jeans may be seen in china. Much of the
clothing in china today reflects a mixture of
traditional designs and modern fashion
design elements. Classic symbols such as
many animals like lions, Chinese masks are
common, along with dragons, Phoenixes,
clouds, and lightning. For a special occasion,
Chinese men and also women may wear
traditional garb