Review: China Chic: East Meets West by Valerie Steele, John S. Major

Sep 13, 2008 13:30



China Chic: East Meets West
by Valerie Steele, John S. Major
 
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john s. major, art, history, r2008, non-fiction, valerie steele, ***1/2, china, fashion, chinese, 1999

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Comments 5

velvetcure September 13 2008, 22:15:08 UTC
i haven't had a change to comment on your last couple reviews because i'm right in the middle of moving and being glued to my television to watch the storm. [we're already getting the tail end of the hurricane all the way up in southern ontario. crazy.]
i weird when it comes to fashion but you makes these kind of books sound really interesting. i'm unsure if it's something that i would really like but i might have to glance through some of these at the library.

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fashion_piranha September 15 2008, 20:58:10 UTC
I'm really surprised the storm isn't completely out of energy before getting to Canada. Has it hit you yet? (I'm ignorant and haven't been following it too closely.)

I will be honest: if you're not into fashion a lot of these books will be BORING. I mean, the pictures are great but you have to really be curious about how sleeves are attached to the bodice or the difference between pleats in Egyptian linen vs. Chinese garments vs. American cheerleaders to stomach some of the articles. I find it fascinating, but I think the majority of my friends would not. :-p
But hey! Pretty pictures!

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anonymous September 14 2008, 02:03:37 UTC
This sounds completely fascinating. I read a book called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" which details the footbinding as part of its storyline and since then I've been very intrigued with all things chinese.
doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

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fashion_piranha September 15 2008, 21:00:39 UTC
That was such a good book!
And the footbinding literally made me cringe, it was sooooooooo gross to read. If you're ever curious to read about the Chinese American experience in San Francisco in the early part of the 20th century, Fifth Chinese Daughter by Jade Snow Wong is such a great book. I loved it when I was in late elementary/middle school, but going back to it when I began college I appreciated it all over again for all the subtleties that went over my head when I was younger.

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Adding to TBR list now! ext_119954 September 15 2008, 15:07:32 UTC
This book sounds interesting. I love reading books (fiction and non-fiction) about different cultures and traditions from around the world.

Plus, I love clothes! :)

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