2022-07-16 00:19:13
Is this a kind of cultural appropriation?
It is suspected that Dior designers copied the shape of the traditional Chinese Ma Mian Qun. And claiming it is a hallmark Dior silhouette. Do you think they are similar? What do you think?
Historical likes: 10
Historical comments
Peng · 2022-07-16 01:45:00
VERY similar in shape😥
Historical likes: 1
lllen · 2022-07-16 02:47:10
Korean Designer?
Historical likes: 2
Simoez · 2022-07-16 04:01:41
This seems to be disrespectful to hanfu.
Historical likes: 2
midnightriver · 2022-07-16 07:46:04
Super similar in shape, and at least superficially similar in construction. Would need to actually see the panels and pleats of the Dior dress to determine structural similarity, and I think needs either fashion expert or official designer statement to determine degree of inspiration from mamian. Without that information, I wouldn’t make any accusations of appropriation, at this point they just happen to look very similar, but definitely suspicious.
Historical likes: 3
Carottie · 2022-07-16 16:57:30 · Reply to midnightriver (#7363)
I think you are right. It looks almost the same but it can be made differently. Besides, lots of things are just modified into something “new”. However if all they changed was the belt then it is really shameful.
midnightriver · 2022-07-18 02:42:26 · Reply to Carottie (#7364)
Wanted to reply to your comment. Been following some of the developments, and saw some pictures of the actual structure of the Dior dress – beat for beat almost exactly the same as mamian – two pieces of fabric with one waist, wrap dress with pleats between three large panels. I mean, it MIGHT be coincidence, but if not, I think this is pretty serious. Mainly because this is a large international company claiming ethnic designs as their own without ANY attribution. And raises two worrisome possibilities. If Dior patents their “hallmark silhouette.. With new elegant design,” could they sue mamian based hanyuansu makers? Will the international community who know Dior but not mamianqun, think that mamianqun is some sort of Chinese knock off of Dior? I’m usually pretty easy going when it comes to questions of cultural appropriation, and their significance, but in this case, I’m worried about real world legal, and reputation ramifications for hanfu makers, wearers, and enthusiasts.
Historical likes: 2
Ziazan · 2022-07-18 17:37:25
AvenueX has just made a video about this: https://youtu.be/Chyma67-PMY
Historical likes: 1
秋 · 2022-07-19 02:32:19
Definitely quite similar. But there’s nothing much that can be done if they decided to claim that this is theirs! But then our hanfu history will be literally taken and copyrighted!
Historical likes: 1
Bessieho · 2022-07-19 06:48:56 · Reply to midnightriver (#7370)
It is said that a hanfu manufacturer is ready to sue Dior because as early as a year or two ago, this hanfu manufacturer had already designed this outfit and Dior has not only copied mamianqun.
