On September 29th, during the ongoing 2024 China-France Fashion Week, the Zhou Costume Show, which highlights cultures and aesthetics of the Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-256 BC) in ancient China, dazzled the audience at the Paris China Cultural Center in France.
Under the guidance of China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s industrial development department, the costume show is co-hosted by Shaanxi Tourism Group, the Chinese Costume Culture Research Association and the Paris China Cultural Center.
The event is being organized by National Geographic Traveler magazine and Shaanxi Tourism Group Qishan Zhou Cultural Tourism Industry Development Co., Ltd.
Dignitaries from the political, fashion, cultural, and artistic spheres including Liu Hongge, director of the China Cultural Center in Paris, French Sinologist Joel Bellassen and TV host Julien, alongside members of the media, were in attendance to witness this grand cultural exchange between East and West.
China boasts a profound history spanning five millennia, brimming with accumulated wisdom and treasures. Shaanxi province in southwest China stands as one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. More than three thousand years ago, the Zhou Dynasty’s cultural roots took hold in Shaanxi, laying the groundwork for the country’s systems of rites and music. The Zhou culture stands as a cornerstone of the Chinese national ethos and cultural framework, leaving an indelible mark on the annals of Chinese civilization and occupying a distinctive place in the global cultural panorama.
In a bid to breathe new life into Chinese traditional culture, Shaanxi Tourism Group meticulously crafted the Zhou Costume Show over the past two years.
Through innovative approaches, the show explores immersive cultural tourism and contemporary artistic trends, consistently spotlighting the essence of Chinese cultural heritages originated in Shaanxi Province.
This marks the first time a Chinese cultural tourism enterprise has globally promoted the culture of the Zhou Dynasty through a fashion show, presenting a brand-new expression of the splendid ancient Chinese culture in the world of fashion. This appearance at the China-France Fashion Week is an international debut, showcasing aesthetics of the rites and music back in the Western Zhou Dynasty (c. 11th century-771 BC) and the extraordinary wisdom of ancient Chinese people through the medium of clothing.
The show comprises four chapters, namely “Feng Shen Yan Yi”, “Ji Shui Bai Chuan”, “Bronze Voice” and “Zhou Hua Xi Shi” , depicting ancient life scenes from the Zhou dynasty.
The first chapter features clothing made mainly of fur, leather, and linen, incorporating mysterious images of ancient deities.
Collections displayed in the second chapter draws inspiration from the Yellow River basin, using such images as mountains, rivers, lakes, seas, plants and flowers to showcase a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The third chapter integrates three-dimensional patterns inspired by assembled bronze artifacts into clothing designs as the bronze art in Zhou dynasty reached the pinnacle of achievement, becoming a dazzling gem in the world’s cultural heritage.
The last chapter emphasizes the three-dimensional, expansive, proportional, and layered aspects of clothing designs, reflecting the aesthetic concept of the collision between traditional and modern Chinese fashion.
“Today, I saw stunning ‘living sculptures’ that embody the beauty of China. Fashion serves as a symbol of civilization and a universal language. The costume show has set the stage for cultural exchange, showcasing the richness of Chinese history and culture in a stylish way,” said Liu Hongge after watching the show.
Joël Bellassen pointed out that Chinese culture has a long history and once illuminated the world. Such endeavors made by the Shaanxi Tourism Group in the cultural and tourism sectors to promote Chinese culture demonstrate their forward-thinking vision.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
The China-France Fashion Week, a pivotal event in the global fashion industry, serves as a crucial platform for both nations during this “milestone” period to showcase their cultures and strengthen their enduring friendship.
Against this backdrop, the Zhou Costume Show strives to revitalize the essence of the Zhou Dynasty in the realm of fashion, providing a fresh perspective on ancient Chinese heritage through an engaging clothing exhibition.
French designer Jacques Ferrier noted that this was the first time in France he witnessed a cultural extravaganza where fashion, culture, and tourism were seamlessly intertwined.
It was like a romantic encounter between bronze and enamel, illustrating the limitless creativity of cultural and tourism integration, he added.
Audience members from France were deeply attracted by the aesthetics of China’s bronze art. One of them said that seeing models wearing clothes featuring images of bronze artifacts inscribed with the word “China” felt more like a display of cultural identity and historical heritage.
Zhou Bing, president of the Shaanxi Tourism Group stated, “We engage, collide, merge, and connect on the stage of Eastern and Western cultures, integrating into the context of international fashion trends.”
” The global cultural and tourism market is approaching us, and we will integrate more cultural and tourism products with fashion and technology, helping the world better understand China in the new era,” he added.