She Costume in Southeastern China: Ethnic Identity Bodily Practices and Local Fashion Styles in the Process of Globalisation

Abstract

This study focuses on the costume culture of the She Costume in southeastern China, especially the She Costume, which is mainly the She Phoenix Costume. The research aims to achieve the following four objectives:To study the history, structure, classification, aesthetics, and social role of the She Costume, mainly the She phoenix costume.To analyses the impact of Globalisation on She Costume and She ethnic identity.To examine the changing Bodily Practices of She Costume in the process of globalization.To analyze the process of She Costume to become Local Fashion Styles incorporating traditional ethnic clothing elements into modern fashion in the process of Globalisation.

The study adopts a qualitative research method, combining two information collection methods: field survey and literature study. The field survey includes a field investigation of the She Costume settlement and interviews with samples of different identities, such as She Costume designers, non-genetic inheritors, and She people. Literature research, on the other hand, covered historical documents, genealogy, and folklore in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical and cultural background of She Costume. The study also adopted the case study method to explore in depth the inheritance and innovation of She Costume through specific cases.

The results of the study show that the She originated from the Yue ethnic group in ancient times and went through the process of migration, settlement and integration, forming a unique culture with strong regional and ethnic characteristics. The development of She Costume has a long history and has a unique history, structure and classification. With its unique shape, rich symbolism and exquisite craftsmanship, the She Costume has become a treasure of She Costume, reflecting She people's unique understanding and pursuit of beauty.

Globalisation has had a far-reaching impact on She Costume, causing it to undergo remarkable changes in design, costume material and craftsmanship. She Costume has been transformed from traditional to modern, retaining nethic characteristics and incorporating modern elements. However, this process has also brought challenges to cultural inheritance, such as the loss of traditional production techniques. She ethnic identity presents a complex situation in the context of globalisation. On the one hand, She Costume, as an important part of ethnic culture, enhances ethnic cohesion; on the other hand, the trend of cultural homogenisation has had an impact on the cultural values and aesthetic sensibilities of the She people.

The bodily practices of She Costume has rich cultural connotations in different occasions. In daily life, She people choose to wear popular costumes, reflecting the integration of She culture with modern life. During festivals, She people will put on traditional She Costume and show the cultural significance and aesthetic value of the costume through bodily practices such as dancing and singing. During festivals, the norms of wearing She Costume are a sign of veneration to the ancestors, but also a sign of following the traditional She Costume. Through these bodily practices, She people continue to build and strengthen their nethic identity.

Through case studies of She Costume designers and fashion industry practitioners, it is found that She Costume has achieved a fusion of traditional She Costume and modernity through the introduction of fashion elements in its modernisation and transformation. On the basis of respecting tradition, designers have combined traditional She elements with modern design concepts to create clothing collections that are both ethnically distinctive and in line with modern aesthetics. These innovations have enriched the connotation of modern clothing and promoted the inheritance and development of She traditional costume culture. Local Fashion Styles of She Costume have gradually emerged on the international stage and become an important symbol to show China's diversified culture. In particular, the China (Zhejiang) She Costume Design Exhibitiont has guided designers to dig deeper into the cultural connotation of She costumes and combine them with modern design concepts by setting different themes. The competition promotes cross-cultural exchanges and integration, with designers incorporating multi-cultural elements into She Costume design, emphasising respect for the protection of traditional culture and avoiding cultural appropriation. At the same time, it promotes the marketisation and branding of She Costume, enhances the popularity and influence of She Costume, and helps sales promotion.

This study delves into the historical background of She Costume, changes in the process of globalisation, interaction with bodily practices and the formation of Local Fashion Styles, providing theoretical support and practical guidance for the inheritance and development of She Costume culture. The results of the study show that despite the many challenges posed by globalisation, She Costume culture has been preserved but also revitalised in modern society through innovation and adaptation. Future research and practice should continue to focus on the preservation and innovation of She Costume to ensure the transmission and development of this precious cultural heritage.

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