Rencently, someone asked me about the history of this perticular fabric. I´ve been searching these days, trying to find a perfect answer. Apparently I didn´t find much more than what I´ve known...After the Chinese civil war (after 1949, I estimate), in order to be able to produce national printed calico, the country developed different designs. This design is the first one with Phoenix and Peony. Phoenix has been regarded as the king of birds since acient China, and it is always regarded as the symbol of auspiciousness. As well, the flower Peony has been loved by Chinese since thousand years ago, and it always represents flourishing. This cloth was so commonly used in the northest part of China, it even became one of the symbols of that area.
After China opened the door to the world, all kinds of colorful foreign brands and products rushed into the country, and undoubtedly people started to become western-style followers. Then we neglected our own things, including this fabric. It was considered very old fashioned, out-of-date, and very very hick. But...things change with time. Slowly and gradually, We start to re-discover and explore our culture again, and pick up what we abandoned, and appreciate them again. I have no idea who designed this cloth (I mean the exact person). But I can feel the strong influence from the folk culture. For me, folk culture is where the best art and design comes from.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~for household~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~wedding dress~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~more fashion~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~more traditional~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~even New York brand (Nieve Lavi) selected it (2008 spring)~~~~~~~~~~~
