On the integration of Chinese and Western cultures from modern Shanghai headbands
Modern Shanghai ladies were keen to wear a pearl headband,which was not so popular among ladies in other parts of China.Around 1890,Shanghai fashion ladies led the fashion trend in the Jiangnan region and became famous nationwide.From 1890 to 1918,Shanghai gathered almost all the fresh and fashionable things.The academic circles'research on headbands mainly focuses on shape arts,ergonomics and other aspects.However,there are few studies on the integration of Chinese and Western cultures from headbands.This study is of great significance in highlighting the connotations and characteristics of the modern Shanghai culture.By using images,objects and historical materials,this study explored the modern Shanghai headband arts and sorted out the spread of fashion,thus observing the factors of cultural integration between China and West.The once existing fresh world from objects to people,then to society was restored progressively layer by layer.This study shows that ladies wearing jewelry such as pearl headbands not only cared about beauty,but also cared about using jewelry to put themselves into the social structure.Headbands are a symbol of ladies'self-identity and an expression of their concepts.Pearl headbands,influenced by Art Nouveau,were a new thing influenced by the foreign culture,and also a confident style influenced by foreign culture Shanghai.Modern Shanghai ladies'jewelry did not fully copy Western fashion trends.While being westernized,it retained the conservatism and refinement of modern Shanghai culture,forming a fashion symbol combining tradition and trendiness.So,Shanghai's urban modernity culture is not just a simple transplant of Western culture,but a unique urban culture with Chinese characteristics that has emerged from the soil of China.With the emergence of social activity platforms in modern Shanghai,ladies participated in social activities with the combination of the pearl headband and clothing.Shanghai fashion leaders participated in public activities in Shiliyangchang by wearing clothing including headbands,performing ostentatiously there.Pearl headbands adorned the fashion leaders'heads with a sparkling outer cover,making them a magnificent helmet for participating in social activities.Ladies from other social classes were influenced by the aesthetic appeal of the Shanghai fashion leading class.The fashion communication model characterized by the guidance of fashion leaders,the emulation by the middle class,and the aspiration of the common people was formed.In the einternational metropolis of Shanghai,ladies stepped out of their homes and integrated themselves into society.From reclusive beauties to urban beauties,Shanghai fashion ladies had ample opportunities to closely observe Western men and women's fashion.They performed"westernized fashion show"in the public space of Shiliyangchang,which has an impact on the formation of Shanghai modern urban culture.At Shiliyangchang,fashion leaders seized every opportunity and successfully expanded themselves into public domain.They were very supportive of the Shanghai concession culture combining Chinese and Western cultures,and traditional and modern elements.They actively absorbed Western fashion elements and imaginative ideas.The pearl headbands they were passionate about wearing are strong evidence that the Art Nouveau jewelry style has influenced traditional Chinese lady headwear art.The modern publishing industry in Shanghai contributed to the lifestyle of fashion leaders,and entertainment news particularly promoted the image of fashion leaders.Their self-performance and public response from the media further promoted their clothing and decoration.The literary and artistic atmosphere of fashion leaders gave them the potential to express new things,and they successfully attracted public attention,making these innovative new things accepted by people.These are the concrete manifestations of the integration of Chinese and Western cultures.Although the headband is small,it shows the interaction between Eastern and Western countries,the fusion between Eastern and Western masses,and finally produces a combination of Chinese and Western headwear,reflecting the process of popularity of this fashion object.After the May Fourth Movement in 1919,the headband disappered,and its fate in modern Shanghai was both a history of growth and a history of disappearance.
modern timesShanghaiheadbandjewelryintegration of Chinese and Western culturesmodernity