Thesis
An analysis of the visual structure and meaning in the evolution of Qipao
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102626
Abstract
This study provides an analysis of the visual structure of the qipao from inception and across different time periods as an interpretation of the position of women from in mainland Chinese society. Dress appears as a visible but nonverbal communication symbol created by human beings and symbolizes the changing of gender roles in society (Roach, 1965; Michelman & Eicher, 1995; Kaiser, 1997; Damhorst, Lynn, Miller-Spillman, & Michelman, 2005). In this context, the qipao acts as a visual form of social control related to status, gender and ethnic identity. The development of the qipao from the 1920s to the present was shown to be linked to political and socioeconomic development within China and the resulting women's movement toward increased social status and independent achievement (Roberts, 1997). As society redefined the symbolic meaning of the qipao, Chinese women visually reinforced their ability to elevate fashion sense and self-confidence exhibited through styles of qipao that varied from being modesty and sexy. Styles of the qipao were examined using DeLong's Visual Analysis Framework to demonstrate how this dress style changed over time as a reflection of changes in and interacting with women's role in China. Data included historical photographs of portraits, calendar poster pictures and fashion illustrations as primary sources to document the clothing. These photographs, taken between the 1900s and the present were divided into five time periods corresponding to political changes in order to develop rules of dress relating to the social roles and statuses of women. Findings revealed that the qipao as a cultural artifact accurately reflects changes in the roles and statuses of women from its inception to the present.
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Details
- Title
- An analysis of the visual structure and meaning in the evolution of Qipao
- Creators
- Yongchao Xu
- Contributors
- Carol J. Salusso (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525184701842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis