Fashion unit: 1960s oriental fashions

We have decided that we are definitely having a female model who is Asian to create a conflict between the East & West often featured in espionage films. After discussing the sort of fashion we want to have our Asian model to wear I decided to research 1960s oriental fashion as well as 1960s inspired fashion today.

I discovered fashion titled 'Chinoiserie' also known as China chic, features such as floral embroidery, high mandarin collars, and knotted frog closures are always part of the clothing.

From Philip Lim's Spring 2011 collection

I then found out that most modern interpretations of Chinese fashion are based on the cheongsam; this is a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women. In English it is also known as a madarin gown, and it was originally created in the 1920s in Shanghai and was made fashionable by socialities & upperclass women. By basing our clothing around this fashion we would be referring to a higher, richer class of people which I think is more often associated with espionage.   

1960s Cheongsam dresses

Late 1950s/ early 1960s Cheongsam dresses

 This next set of images are a series of different items of clothing from collection in the 21st century which shows fashion designer's recreations of the traditional oriental patterns and designs. 

'Made in China' Fashion Shoot in the Telegraph

  Chanel Fashion shoot in Vogue China magazine:

Louis Vuitton advert campaign S/S 2011

Cheongsam-style inspired fashion from the  Ralph Lauren 2011 Fall collection & Philip Lim 2011 Spring collection:

Mark Jacobs/Louis Vuitton Spring 2011

 These following images show the trends that reappear in collections over the years, the first image portraying the original Yves Saint Laurent 'pagoda shoulder' from the 1977 Chinese collection while the second set of images is from Tom Ford's collection at YSL's A/W collection in 2004.

I really like this more sophisticated side of this fashion trend with the women in jackets and pencil-skirts rather than dresses; it gives this idea of strength & power which we want to create in our photoshoot- this idea of equal power between the male and female character.

In the British Vogue 2011 Spring/Summer collection the Obi belt gave a oriental edge to the  fashion trends given an 'Eastern promise to Summer wardrobes'. 

Carolina Herrera

 Haider Ackermann                         Paul & Joe

Again I reall like the sophistication and neatness this accessory brings to the outfits therefore when discussing ideas for our Eastern models outfit I want to discuss the use of an Obi belt in some form to accentuate our models figure in a chic, classy design.