A Study of Huafu as Expressed in Chinese Contemporary Fashion

중국 현대패션에 표현된 화복(華服)에 관한 연구

Huafu is the traditional clothing of the Han Chinese as the significant cultural symbol of Chinese civilization. The resuscitation of Huafu is an exemplification for the pride of a nation, due to China's rapid economic development and a craze for Chinese cultures. Huafu's resuscitation is not only introducing the traditional design factors of Huafu into the contemporary fashion but also reflects the image of Chinese style created to modernize works. Through the study of the history of Huafu, it could be summarized that Ruqun(Zu-chin), Shenyi(Shen-yee), and Shan were the most important and typical types. The characteristics of Huafu were primary colors or strong contrast with achromatic colors, flora and fauna patterns, and geometric patterns. The clothing aesthetic of Huafu could be summed up as spacious, delicate, gorgeous, clandestine, and unconventional character. There were lots of elements in Huafu that could provide inspiration for contemporary fashion designers, such as forms, colors, patterns, details, and also the aesthetic. Based on the analysis of the Chinese designers who applied the elements of Huafu into contemporary fashion design, it could be recognized that the Chinese designer's works were made using the elements of traditional Huafu directly or using new fabrics and techniques to give a modern sense, but also embodies the Huafu's clothing aesthetic at the same time. In the wake of the resuscitation and publicity of Huafu, the essential factors of Huafu will be able to provide inspiration for designers not only for Chinese but also around the world.