Liu Xiang, an organizer of hanfu fashion events, has observed that the popularity of hanfu fashion has skyrocketed in recent years. In fact, what was once an obscure subculture has now become a significant part of mainstream culture. Liu attributes this growth to the rising popularity of social media and the increasing interest in traditional culture among the younger generation.
Hanfu is a traditional style of clothing that was once worn by the Han people. Today, thanks to the efforts of a new generation of Chinese enthusiasts, the style has been given a new lease of life. Liu Xiang, who was born in the 1980s and works as a rocket scientist, is one of these devotees. In addition to being an organizer of hanfu events, Liu is also a co-founder of a hanfu community in Beijing called Hua Yan Hui.
According to Liu, the growing popularity of hanfu can be attributed to the power of social media. Platforms like Weibo and WeChat have played a significant role in spreading awareness about hanfu and connecting enthusiasts across China. Liu believes that social media has provided a platform for people to share their passion for traditional culture and has helped to foster a sense of community among hanfu enthusiasts.
Another factor that has contributed to the popularity of hanfu is the increasing interest in traditional culture among young people in China. As the country continues to modernize and become more globalized, there is a growing sense among many young Chinese that they are losing touch with their cultural heritage. Hanfu represents a way for them to connect with their roots and embrace their traditional culture.
For Liu and other hanfu enthusiasts, the rise of hanfu fashion has been a welcome development. They believe that it not only helps to preserve and promote traditional culture but also serves as a form of self-expression and a way to stand out in a sea of Western fashion. With the continued growth of social media and the increasing interest in traditional culture, it seems likely that hanfu will continue to gain popularity and attract new devotees in the years to come.
In 2011, a hanfu revival movement began to emerge in China, driven by a desire to express national identity and growing cultural confidence. This movement led to the founding of the Hua Yan Hui community in Beijing, which Liu Xiang has been volunteering for since its inception. According to Liu, her passion for hanfu was ignited by two friends who were enthusiasts of traditional Chinese clothing. As she delved deeper into the culture behind it and acquired her first hanfu costume, her interest grew.
Initially, those who wore hanfu in public were met with some derision, but as more passersby began to inquire about the clothing style, attitudes began to shift. Nowadays, more and more young people are wearing adapted versions of hanfu as they believe that the best way to preserve tradition is to adapt it to modern life.
Yang Kunning, a public relations professional born in the 1990s, is one of the many young Chinese people who have embraced the hanfu trend. She is particularly fond of sharing her love for hanfu online, posting videos of herself wearing the traditional attire on the popular video-sharing platform Bilibili. Yang’s videos have garnered thousands of likes and comments from viewers who appreciate her creative blending of traditional culture with modern dance movements.
According to Liu, the rising popularity of hanfu can be attributed in part to the power of social media. Through platforms like Bilibili, Weibo, and WeChat, enthusiasts are able to share their passion for traditional culture and connect with like-minded individuals across China and beyond. Liu believes that social media has helped to break down the barriers of national and ethnic boundaries and has made hanfu culture popular not just in China, but around the world.
Savvy companies and factories have also recognized the massive potential of hanfu-related industries, and have begun to invest in the production of hanfu garments and accessories. With the continued growth of social media and the increasing interest in traditional culture among young people, it seems likely that the hanfu trend will continue to gain momentum in the years to come, bringing greater awareness and appreciation for China’s rich cultural heritage.
Caoxian county, located in Heze city in Shandong province, is one of the major manufacturing centers for hanfu in China. It is home to more than 2,000 upstream and downstream enterprises, providing jobs for nearly 100,000 people. Over 600 clothes-processing companies in Caoxian have their own designs with intellectual property rights, making it a hub for the hanfu industry in the country. In addition to serving domestic clients, many companies in Caoxian have reported a surge in foreign orders this year.
Yang, a hanfu enthusiast, owns a collection of around 30 hanfu outfits that are suitable for different seasons and occasions. She notes that customers now have a wide range of choices when selecting hanfu, from economical to high-end collections. This trend is reflected in the growth of the hanfu market in China, which was estimated to reach 12.54 billion yuan ($1.81 billion) in 2022, and is expected to rise to 19.11 billion yuan by 2025, according to research firm iMedia Research.
Yang’s cousin Lu Siqing, who works for a consulting agency, says that his work requires him to stay updated with the newest changes in the market, and his experiences with hanfu culture and related businesses help him better understand the mindset of consumers. As China relaxed its COVID-19 prevention and control measures, the recovery of the cultural and tourism industry has seen a quick rebound. Yang says she looks forward to participating in more in-person hanfu-themed events this year in Beijing.
The popularity of hanfu has also led to the emergence of events and gatherings for enthusiasts. At a themed event in Beijing, a crowd of young people dressed in long robes, wander around pavilions and royal gardens, with their flowing sleeves and heavily embroidered skirts gently swaying in the breeze. These events offer an opportunity for enthusiasts to showcase their passion for traditional Chinese culture, and are becoming increasingly popular.
Yang expresses excitement at the prospect of participating in more in-person events, especially those in historical palaces like the Forbidden City. Such events offer a rewarding experience for enthusiasts like Yang, who appreciate the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and history of China. As the hanfu trend continues to grow and gain popularity, it is likely that more people will be drawn to these events, creating an even greater demand for hanfu products and services.
“Hanfu fashion, once an obscure subculture over a decade ago, has now become a popular trend among young Chinese devotees, drawing thousands of participants to relevant activities, according to Liu Xiang, an organizer of the event. Hanfu, a traditional style of clothing once worn by the Han people, has enjoyed a fresh lease of life, benefiting from the growing popularity of social media and a craze for traditional culture.
Liu Xiang, a rocket scientist born in the 1980s, is also a co-founder of a hanfu community in Beijing called Hua Yan Hui. The community was founded in 2011, following a hanfu revival movement that emerged from the desire to express national identity and growing cultural confidence. Liu has been volunteering to support the group since then.
Liu says her passion for hanfu came from two friends who are fans of traditional Chinese clothing. Her interest grew as she learned more about the culture behind it and acquired her first hanfu costume. Initially, people who wore hanfu in public were occasionally greeted with derision, but Liu noted that more passersby started asking about their clothing style.
More young people are now taking to wearing adapted hanfu as they believe that the best way to preserve tradition is to adapt it to modern life. The trend has been fueled by the popularity of social media, where hanfu enthusiasts share their love for the traditional attire, and by savvy companies and factories that recognize the massive potential in hanfu-related industries.
In 2022, the hanfu market in China was estimated to reach 12.54 billion yuan ($1.81 billion), and research firm iMedia Research expects it to rise to 19.11 billion yuan by 2025. Caoxian county in Heze city, East China’s Shandong province, is one of the major hanfu manufacturing centers, with over 2,000 upstream and downstream enterprises and creating jobs for nearly 100,000 people. Over 600 clothes-processing companies in Caoxian have their own designs with intellectual property rights. In addition to domestic clients, a number of companies in Caoxian reported a surge in foreign orders this year.
The revival of the cultural and tourism industry in China, as COVID-19 prevention and control measures relax, has seen a quick rebound. Hanfu enthusiasts, like Liu and her cousin Lu Siqing, who works for a consulting agency, look forward to participating in more in-person hanfu-themed events this year in Beijing. They dream of dressing in long robes, wandering around pavilions and royal gardens with flowing sleeves and heavily embroidered skirts gently swaying in the breeze, not as actors on a movie set, but as part of a vibrant cultural movement.
Yang Kunning is a young public relations professional born in the 1990s, who is passionate about hanfu fashion and enjoys sharing her love for it online. She created an account on the video-sharing platform Bilibili, where she posts videos of herself wearing the traditional attire, which have attracted thousands of comments and likes. Her videos are known for blending traditional culture with modern dance movements, making them attractive and creative to viewers.
According to Liu, social media has played a significant role in making hanfu culture popular both in China and abroad. The traditional attire is no longer confined to a small subculture but has become a trend embraced by a wider audience, as people appreciate its beauty and cultural significance.
As more people embrace hanfu, savvy companies and factories are taking note of the massive potential in hanfu-related industries. Caoxian county in Heze city, located in East China’s Shandong province, is one of the major hanfu manufacturing centers. It has over 2,000 upstream and downstream enterprises, creating jobs for nearly 100,000 people. More than 600 clothes-processing companies in the county have their own designs with intellectual property rights.
In addition to catering to domestic clients, Caoxian’s hanfu manufacturers have reported a surge in foreign orders this year, indicating that hanfu fashion is gaining popularity worldwide. As a result, the industry’s growth potential is expected to increase in the coming years, according to research firm iMedia Research.
Yang Kunning, a public relations professional in her 30s, has a collection of approximately 30 hanfu outfits, which are suitable for various seasons and occasions. She highlights the growing number of choices for consumers, ranging from economical to high-end collections. With the increasing popularity of hanfu, she believes there are more opportunities to cater to different tastes.
The hanfu market in China is rapidly expanding, with estimated revenue of 12.54 billion yuan ($1.81 billion) in 2022, projected to reach 19.11 billion yuan by 2025, according to iMedia Research. The market’s growth is driven by the increasing interest in traditional culture, as well as the growing number of hanfu enthusiasts, both in China and abroad.
Yang’s cousin, Lu Siqing, works in a consulting agency and closely follows the market trends. Lu states that her experiences with hanfu culture and related businesses help her understand the mindset of consumers better. She further adds that the trend has significant potential and companies need to be aware of new changes to satisfy consumer needs.
With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, the recovery of the cultural and tourism industry has accelerated in China. Yang is excited to participate in more in-person hanfu-themed events in Beijing this year, including those in historical sites such as the Forbidden City and other palaces. She considers this a rewarding experience that further enriches her understanding and appreciation of hanfu.
As the hanfu market continues to grow, there will likely be more opportunities for both consumers and companies. Hanfu enthusiasts like Yang and Lu will undoubtedly continue to lead the trend, influencing the industry’s future development.