Happy lunar new year!! now what are you wearing?

By Gabrielle Clark

2 / 9 / 2024

Happy Lunar New Year!!! We have officially entered the year of the dragon. Each year millions of people celebrate the arrival of Spring and the beginning of a new year. Family and friends get together to celebrate at dinners, festivals, parties, and etc. Currently, while I write this article, we are a little over a week away from Lunar New Year. I can not help but think about how companies each year profit off this festive holiday, and as you guess it the fashion industry is not any different. 

Fashion brands work overtime each year to create Lunar New Year collections. Each collection paying homage to the incoming zodiac. Last year the fashion industry was flooded with Lunar New Year Zodiac Rabbit collections. This year's Lunar New Year Zodiac Dragon collections have flooded the fashion industry. Burberry, Bulgari, Harry Winston, Bottega Veneta, Mulberry, Dr. Martens, Prada, and Fendi are just a few fashion brands that have contributed to the flood of Lunar New Year collections. 

It is wonderful to see the celebration of other cultures' holidays. However, is this really an innocent attempt to embrace others' culture? The fashion industry has always had a controversial past with its approach to others' culture. Sometimes these controversial incidents in the fashion industry bring back to light the racial division within the fashion industry. There is a fine line between appropriation and appreciation. 

A prime example of a luxury brand dancing on this fine line is the brand Self Portrait. In the Resort 2024 line there is a red lace embellished mini dress that was included in line. This mini dress is a modern imitation of a Cheongsam or Qipao. A Cheongsam is a traditional Chinese attire worn by women. In the modern media it has become synonymous with Chinese culture. The dress being red is also symbolic because in Chinese culture red signifies good luck. 

Self Portrait is a brand that was established by Han Chong. Han Chong is a Malaysian born designer, and it could be argued that he is simply sharing his culture. However, how does a three hundred and fifty pound dress embody his culture? Given he established his brand eleven years ago, Chong has beared witness to the appropriation of cultures within the fashion industry. A red lace embellished mini dress that imitates a Cheongsam is not helping this problem. 

When designers endorse turning their culture into a profit it leaves the door open for others to do the same. Celebrities like Gwen Stefani in her Harajuku era, Sarah Jessica Parker at the 2015 Met Gala, or Gucci usage of turbans as a prop to mimic Sikh attire during their 2019 runway show are prime examples why this is a problem. Now do not get me wrong, there is a time and place where you can wear culture attire. When you choose to participate in wearing cultural attire you must remain respectful. These traditional garbs hold significant meaning for their culture, and no one has any right to disrespect them. 

In the end it does not matter whether you choose to wear traditional or Western garb for Lunar New Year as long as you are respectful. I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating with your family and friends. Remember to be safe while you are  enjoying the celebrations of this beautiful holiday. Happy Lunar New Year.