Manipulation of Chinese ethnicity in traditional Ch'ing Dynasty dress through the use of digital printing techniques

Abstract

<p>The purpose of this study was to develop a collection of Chinese-inspired wearable art garments. Research was undertaken through three phases: 1) Historical research - examining historical pieces that are relics from the Ch'ing Dynasty and reviewing the literature, 2) Survey - investigating the perception of American and Taiwanese college students towards Chinese-inspired garments that were designed by the researcher to be digitally printed, and 3) Creative developments - designing, producing, and presenting a collection of Chinese-inspired wearable art. Development of the Chinese-inspired wearable art collection was an ongoing process that did not particularly follow a sequential path. It started from collecting inspiration and background information in the first phase of this study, verifying and modifying the designs according to the findings of the survey through the second phase and, finally creating the entire garment collection. This collection, entitled "Heaven & Earth", was presented in the Sloss House Women's Center in Iowa State University from November 5th, 2001 through November l6th, 2001.</p>