The Met’s Andrew Bolton on Fashion’s China Fixation and Fantasy
In an exclusive interview, the Costume Institute's curator talks to Jing Daily about the main ideas behind the Met's new "China: Through the Looking Glass" exhibit.
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- As we can see from the exhibit, an enormous number of Western designers have incorporated Chinese elements into their creations throughout the years. Why do you think this trend has been so prevalent over such a long span of time?
- Which particular Chinese motifs did you find were most popular with the designers selected?
- Why did the Costume Institute decide to focus mainly on Western designers rather than Chinese ones?
- How does the decision to incorporate film clips affect the way visitors experience the exhibit?
- Several of the films that were said to inspire the designers are considered to have problematic racial stereotypes, such as the “dragon lady” trope in old Anna Mae Wong films. How does the Costume Institute address this issue in the exhibit?
- What can visitors take away from viewing the designers’ pieces juxtaposed with Chinese antiques and art?
- Chinese consumers now represent the main customer base for most fashion and luxury brands. Do you think this will have any effect on the way designers use Chinese elements in their designs in the future?
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