this is a reference that singaporeans will have no excuses to not know. it is from our pledge... reciting it on a daily basis when we are in school. the pledge shall form the backdrop of today's fashion talk. when the discussion of race arises in singapore, one will just think of the different races we have; predominantly chinese, malays and indians... however with the influx of migrants, as a singaporean chinese, i often feel that i am of a different race from a fellow chinese from malaysia, china or taiwan.
yet, we cannot deny our common chinese heritage. when it comes to fashion (especially chinese new year), all walls are demolished and we often go with the reds, pinks, oranges and gold... not to mentioned the cheongsam. the cheongsam was briefly mentioned in my tribute to asian legends... but this will be a more extensive discussion about how i feel towards the cheongsam.
i have a love-hate relationship with the cheongsam. the very reasons that i embrace it are the same reason that i dislike it. when one (with reference to the ladies) dons the cheongsam, every curve is accented... the movements are restricted and kept minimal. one has to watch the way she sits, stands and even the amount she eats. i guess beauty has a price.
ultimately as chinese, the cheongsam becomes a common factor regardless of our country of origin. we look up to it as a beacon of chinese beauty, grace and elegance. it is a dress that every lady puts on to feel, fully, woman. it is the dress that puts us ahead of modern fashion because it pulls us back to traditions.
so are we still modern if we hold traditions steadfast? fash'on... BAM!
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