Fashion Culture of Shanghai Courtesan（1890-1918）

• In Event: Transformation and Integration of Pop Art in Shanghai during Late Qing and Early Republic of China Periods

Abstract

“Prosperity” was one of the core features of the emerging international port of Shanghai, and largely associated with the entertainment industry in the late Qing Dynasty. As the central figure of the entertainment industry, the Shanghai courtesan, whose xenocentric and conspicuous fashion style, interior decorating combining Chinese and Western elements, and newfangled accessories become in the public eye a kind of desirable luxury and trendsetter.
Under the interweaved culture atmosphere of domestic tradition culture and exotic culture, Shanghai courtesan skilfully integrated traditional norm and the western fashion elements to create a new fashion style, that makes them become the modern pioneer which first Introduced the western material culture to the view of Chinese public.
They makes new and rules-breaking thing particularly fascinating in shanghai：the modernity of shanghai was embedded into a comfort and pleasure frame by Shanghai courtesan, which is more attractive and acceptable to the public, instead of being in a solemn and serious way, give rise to further Integration and revolution.In the process of creating and leading the public fashion culture, Shanghai courtesan was remarkable historical subject.

Author

• Jie Fan, East China Normal University