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In my generation, those who were born in the 80s, the design of everything - from clothing to furniture, and highly influenced by the West is the norm. We watch big budget Hollywood movies, we eat steaks and drink red wine in restaurants. We listen to the bands from America and Britain, even a lot of our Asian singers do their own version of English songs.
When I immigrated into UK as a teen, I was shock to realise that Paula Tsui (徐小鳳), her complete style and look, has been a total copy of Diana Ross, or to find out so many famous outfits of Anita Mui (梅艷芳) off her concerts are "inspired" from Madonna.
What I am trying to say is, probably since China was forced to open their piers for international trading in 1900s, we have always been under the influence of the West. Except during that time, Asian art especially the Chinese and Japanese had also became a strong influence in the formation of some important art movements in Europe.
Today, with the new digital age arrives the introduction of computers, the Internet, and mobile phones - technology means everything. So every part of our daily life revolves around what is very now! On the other hand, all Asian influences, are instantly link to an image that is old, dull and out-dated.
Until now, the lead and the follower have shifted place! Especially with fashion, having China being the biggest industrial and production factory of the world, where everything was made in China, the west is looking to the East for inspiration once again.
Since the launch of Chinese Vogue in 2005 and the introducion of the ballet-trained Shanghainese model Du Juan as the Chinese supermodel representative, "a deluge of openings and expansions in China followed in the second half of the 2000s, as most of the world's fashion houses elbowed into the market. (Superbrand) Fendi staged a catwalk show on the Great Wall, and Chanel launched a Chinoiserie-themed collection on a barge on Shanghai's Huangpu river...", (UK Vogue June 2011), along with many grand developments happening in the Asia.
The West now investing every bit they can in the Asia market, and outsourcing talents in these lands for their business expansion. In my opinion, Asian models have helped a great deal by allowing the global audience to appreciate the face of Asian, and our designs once again.
With joy, when I stumbled in this month's UK Vogue (June 2011), first I came across the advertising images from Louis Vuitton, which design apparently was heavily influenced by the Chinese traditional ladies outfits in the 40’s and re-introducing the glamorous lace fan.
Soon after, I reached one of the main articles introducing the Chinese and Japanese supermodels along with an insight look into the industry and the importance of these models to the Chinese fashion industry, I can't help but to feel a sense of pride, thinking, "Finally!!!".
There was more surprise in store for me, when I flipped further into the magazine, a 10-pages editorial spread inspired by Japanese geisha! I wonder if that is the first time ever the UK Vogue has included so many oriental elements in their magazine? If so, I really think it has been a great break through, and an important evidence to suggest that Asian designs are back on the spotlight!
It is indeed a pleasant time to see this is happening, however let’s not lose ourselves too much in joy and to realise the fact that it is still western design, and a western approach to the Asian look. By comparison, architecture and interior design seems much more opened to the Asian talents, with so many true Asian designers have highly established themselves in the field, and that in contrast, makes the fashion world looks very skeptical towards Asian fashion designers. Now, in the next two to three years, will the western world ready to introduce more Asian fashion designers onto the global stage?
Earlier in December last year, I made my own tiny tribute to the Chinese designs and the faces of our future. I did it because since the recent start of my photography practice since 2008, I feel ashamed I have not yet introduced my roots, and much of the Asian face and designer in my work portfolio.
Now seems the perfect time to do it - as I grow more confident with my work, and I am ready to share what I have in view of the Asian fashion and our delicate faces. I am going to share it with you here, so we can celebrate and welcome the Asian culture back to the limelight together. The theme of this shoot, of course, with a purpose of showing the Asian designs and faces living it large in the western world. A statement to say we have many brilliant minds in the fashion world too.
I must thank the creative team behind the shoot, for they have worked tremendously hard in the extreme coldness to work on this project in the streets of London, during the peak of the winter time. It was especially hard for my two beautiful models, Ann Hoang (Vietnamese origin) and Alice Zhang (Shanghai origin), for the clothing was too thin and too little to be at outdoor in winter. They did not complain once, and have worked very hard and very professional to not to look cold while posing for the pictures. Readers need not to be worried, we put on coats for them in between shots when we are not shooting, and have hot drinks available during break time.
And the key of this shoot, our fantastic Taiwanese designer, Cheng Yu Chieh, for agreeing to lend his beautiful garments for our shoot to celebrate the revival of Asian designs. Cheng is a fashion designer graduated in Italy, and has worked as a tailor in Milan before moving to London to start his own label – CYC Londra. Last but not least, the two young and ambitious make-up and hair designer, Emily Dhanjal and Hannah Porter to make the look I have in my head happened.
Berna V
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