Saturday, December 15, 2012

Nation-Building through Dress

Eddie Truong
Blog #4 

In the fourth week, I expect that this will be one of the more challenging experiences for this challenge. Because of the proximity of Black Friday and the hype of buying products, it may be difficult to keep this challenge if I find a good electronics deal somewhere. It might be best to just hide out this week and leave the house as little as possible.
On another note, the clothes we wear is a statement to others about a certain status or symbol. If I choose to wear shorts and a bro-shirt to an interview, it demonstrates the lack of respect that I have for the interviewer. On the other hand, if I choose to wear formal clothing, it also demonstrates how much I value the individual by taking the time to dress nicely for them. In the same manner, a dress or costume can be used to represent an entire nation. "It is sometimes said that the Vietnamese ao dai exists so that poets can read the wind. This saying captures the power of garment to evoke a mood, a mindset, and movement. The movement of cloth responding to natural forces. The movement of people courageously adapting their culture to historical circumstance" (Ao Dai Catalog, preface).

As a costume is used to represent the nation, the two become inextricably linked and connected to one another. In the video below, you can see the many different ways in which countries choose to represent themselves through the costume and the unique flair of each country is always captured by the costume.




Inside Source
Ao Dai: A Modern Design Coming of Age Exhibit Catalogue.

Outside Source
Miss Universe 2010 National Costume Presentation - Opening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7CTcSQHq2k

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