NE-Tiger: China's fashion roar
- By Elsbeth van Paridon
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E-mail China.org.cn, March 31, 2012
Fashion dynasties
As we all know, Chinese culture and tradition go back even further than Lagerfeld's association with Chanel. From the Qin (221-206BC) to the Qing (1644-1911), every dynasty (and there were plenty) contributed to China's fashion tradition.
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NE TIGER's "Tang.Jing" flamboyant collection took its inspiration from the Tang Dynasty. Copyright@NE-TIGER 2011 |
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Take the Tang (618-907) for instance, a period during which China's economy, polity, arts and culture thrived. This particularly influential dynasty saw the development of an open and romantic form of dress which was softer and lighter than before, mainly due to its increasing contact with Western regions. Though its shape was still roughly the same as that seen in previous dynasties (read: flowing 1.3m wide loose sleeves and skirts so long that people seemed to glide rather than walk), women, for the first time, started personalizing their looks: big hair accessories, for example, were all the rage. However, China's culture clearly has the breadth of a pair of 1970s flared jeans and, as a result, its fashion cannot be ascribed to one particular dynasty (or minority). Rather, it is the overall expression of a diverse cultural history and tradition and the result of the searing progress made over the past 30 years.
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In the good old dynastical days, darker colors were preferred over lighter ones, at least for official (ceremonial) robes. Speaking of divine design… Copyright@NE-TIGER 2012 |
Return to your roots and revitalize
No, this has nothing to do with a certain famous shampoo commercial. NE-TIGER's philosophy insists on both recognizing tradition and reviving it by blending it with the high-fashion trends of the moment. The brand considers it essential to pass on China's long-standing clothing culture and keep reinventing it. The general mandarin gowns are the soul of the original Chinese style, but NE-TIGER takes them to the high-end level by putting them through a constant process of evolution and having them absorb the nation's 55 minority styles. Over the past 20 years, NE-TIGER has carefully studied and used traditional Chinese fabrics and crafts while adopting features from the country's many ethnic groups. All of these aspects are cleverly woven together, giving the brand its tribal, yet high-end charm.
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Chinese supermodel Du Juan shows off some magnificent NE-TIGER minority inspired embroidery. Copyright@NE-TIGER 2012 |
In all its collections, NE-TIGER uses the four classic mainland embroidery patterns – those from Jiangsu, Guangdong, Hunan and Sichuan provinces. China's embroidery, with its delicate styles, exquisite colors and many different kinds of needlework, is recognized around the world, with its themes ranging from depictions of natural scenes, to abstract designs representing wealth to stories from Chinese history symbolizing man's desire for beauty. NE-TIGER's latest collection combines simple Qiang embroidery with clear-cut (don't be fooled: the easier it looks, the harder it is) contemporary evening dresses, giving the attending fashion mob an insight into what I call China Chic. With its constant mix-'n-matching, the brand's every piece reflects a trendy dialogue between the old and the new. NE-TIGER has given China's fashion scene a glossy new image with an exclusive Chinese distinctiveness that would captivate any Project Runway critic (including Michael).
All in all, Fashionistas United, trust me when I say:
"NE-TIGER will blow your loafers off, too!"
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