Oriental Fascination: the Beauty of Porcelain Part II – Designer Brands Get Inspired by Chinese Blue And White Qing Hwa Porcelain

When I was sharing the pictures of some designer brands’ collections inspired by Chinese blue and white Qing Hwa porcelain the other day on facebook, a friend commented and gave an alternative view about the inspiration of such design that the blue and white embroideries on some pieces such as the gowns presented in Christian Dior Spring/Summer 09 Haute Couture collection are in fact possibly closer to Delftware or ceramic blue tile reference originated from the Netherlands and Portugal respectively. Considering the floral motif of turnips as a symbol of the Netherlands, Galliano’s apparently working on a distinctly European design rather than adopting the Chinese elements in his works. I definitely take his point as many aftershow reviewed taken note of the influence of the Dutch masters from whom the designer took a rich Vermeer palette. Nevertheless, when I juxtaposed the pictures of Chinese Qing Hwa porcelain, Dutch Delft pottery and of Portuguese handpainted ceramic tiles, I was amazed at the similarities among them all and have come up with a conclusion that the mutual cultural influence between the East and the West’s a history that possibly dates back to the 15th century, i.e. the Ming Dynasty of China when a lively trade took place between the East and the Dutch East India Company during the Dutch Golden Age. Millions of pieces of Chinese porcelain were imported in the early 1600s. The Chinese workmanship and attention to detail impressed many. Only the richest could afford the early imports though. Although Dutch potters didn’t immediately imitate Chinese porcelain, they began to do it in 1620 when the supply to Europe’s interrupted. Delftware inspired by Chinese originals persisted from about 1630 to the mid-eighteenth century alongside European patterns.

Ohhhhh that’s enough history. To be fair, seeing the design as either purely European or simply a borrowing of Chinese attributes’ still not good enough. I’d like to see it a blend of the influence of traditional Chinese craftwork and Renaissance art instead, which would more effectively portray the whole image. And of course most important of all, as long as the design’s chic and beautiful, it’s gonna able to set a trend.

Chinese blue and white Qing Hwa porcelain

Dutch Delft pottery

Portuguese blue ceramic tiles

Miss Olympic Etiquette 2008 Beijing in Qing Hwa qi pao

John Galliano’s Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2009 Haute Couture collection

John Galliano wasn’t the only designer who got inspired by blue and white porcelain. Roberto Cavalli had launched the “porcelain collection” as early as 2005 Spring/Summer. Victoria Beckham wore it, too.

The Chinese celebs, Chiling Lin, Bing Bing Fan and Fei Fei Dai dressed in Qing Hwa prints

The Chinese designer Guo Pei’s Autumn/Winter 2010 Haute Couture inspired by Qing Hwa porcelain showing the subdued nature of Chinese culture. The fan-shaped headpiece reminds the princesses’ of the Qing Dynasty.

The launch of Gucci Shanghai Dragon Bag to celebrate the opening of the flagship in Shanghai, China

5 Responses to Oriental Fascination: the Beauty of Porcelain Part II – Designer Brands Get Inspired by Chinese Blue And White Qing Hwa Porcelain

  1. i got to admit the content of this blog improves everytime i look at it. although i am not a fashion guy but i am shocked by the casual, beautiful dresses. i am also surprised by the porcelain collection. wld love to see this idea developed in men’s suits or jackets.

  2. Great post, I adore porcelain & china, it’s classically chic.
    Love the images you’ve chosen here.
    Thanks for your comment 🙂

  3. Hi! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group? There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Cheers

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