Haipai Fashion, at the forefront of the latest trends

Author: Hu Genxi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: [Preface] Autobiographical Preface Suddenly, I found myself getting younger! You can't help but be young: In this era filled with fashion elements, in Shanghai—this city moving towards becoming an international metropolis—fashion is like a youthful gene that has invaded your bloodstream, making you unable to resist following it. In Shanghai, people are no strangers to fashion. For the Shanghai natives who have always stood at the forefront of Chinese fashion for over a century, this is not a new term. The earliest Shanghai people to feel the influence of Western winds and rains knew over a century ago how to cut their black hair into a three-part Western-style small bun, which was far more comfortable than the heavy and cumbersome braid hanging behind their heads, losing all sense of gender. A suit of Western clothes also added a touch of vitality. Even as the old scholars in Beijing still wore long gowns and horse collars, basking in the dusty ancient imperial city in winter, the streets of cities large and small echoed with the "haoyao" sounds emitted from the chests of sedan chair bearers. The Shanghai people then took up the improved rickshaws introduced by the French. In no time, Zhou Xiangyun, a Shanghai native, even surpassed the foreigners by owning a car license plate with the English "No. 1," allowing this gasoline-powered "iron armored bodyguard" to proudly race through the concessions' streets. Even a cheongsam, the clever Shanghai women would take a pair of scissors, trim the waist, stiffen the collar, raise the skirt slits a few inches, and add vibrant lace, turning it into a stylish Shanghai cheongsam that became fashionable for nearly a century. How can one describe fashion? Even during the Cultural Revolution, when women across China adopted a masculine style, the women of Shanghai cleverly turned the collar of a white shirt inside out over their khaki military uniforms, revealing a feminine charm. Even in times of scarcity, they would tie a white handkerchief around their "one-hand-gathered" black hair, exuding a different kind of elegance. After the reform and opening up, the people of Shanghai welcomed the true age of fashion. People no longer had reservations or constraints; as long as they dared to imagine, there was no fashion they couldn’t design, no makeup they couldn’t wear. On the basis of maintaining moral standards, fashionable women dared to wear and play anything. Shanghai is, after all, a metropolis with a profound cultural heritage. In the face of fashion, the people of Shanghai always maintain a sense of restraint. No matter how avant-garde or fashionable they claim to be, the people of Shanghai will never cross moral boundaries. However, Shanghai has always been at the forefront of the East meeting the West and has always led the way in fashion. Thus, the noble horse racing track, the golf courses that are gradually becoming more accessible to the masses, the emerging yachting industry, as well as high-end clubs and gyms—all of these set the tone for the lives of fashionable men and women. Today in Shanghai, whether it’s the young and vibrant MM, the elegant middle-aged women, or even the elderly, they all pursue fashion and beauty equally. The people of Shanghai know how to cherish their youth and understand how to maximize their enjoyment of life and create romance within their limited lifespans. As long as their mental age is not old, anyone can make an appointment with fashion and live freely in the pursuit of it. There is no age distinction or gender difference in the pursuit of fashion. May everyone find their own joy in the pursuit of fashion. Three thousand rivers flow, but only one is taken. Shanghai Chic has only plucked a few blossoms from the kaleidoscopic world of Shanghai fashion. We hope to share it with those who embrace fashion! Those who walk at the forefront of trends are blessed, and those who live in Shanghai chic are lucky. This book takes you into the lives of the people of Shanghai, preparing you to hold hands with fashion at any moment. Shanghai chic showcases a refined lifestyle wrapped in the packaging of Shanghai culture. This book strives to present these unique fashion elements to you, allowing you to enjoy fashion while feeling the lingering charm of history and culture. The people of Shanghai know how to cherish their youth and understand how to maximize their enjoyment of life and create romance within their limited lifespans. As long as their mental age is not old, anyone can make an appointment with fashion and live freely in the pursuit of it. There is no age distinction or gender difference in the pursuit of fashion. May everyone find their own joy in the pursuit of fashion. Three thousand rivers flow, but only one is taken. Shanghai Chic has only plucked a few blossoms from the kaleidoscopic world of Shanghai fashion. We hope to share it with those who embrace fashion!