The dazzling costumes in Shen Yun have been meticulously researched by the show's designers. Historical accuracy is of primary importance, with clothing designs referenced from ancient paintings, frescos and books. Everything from the hairstyles to the hats were all designed based on historical data throughout the entire artistic process.
Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing – each Chinese dynasty had its own distinct culture, resulting in clothing with characteristics of each period.
The Tang Dynasty's clothing style is generally found to embody a broad and magnificent spirit. In the period just before the Tang Dynasty, people's lives were very turbulent, most notably due to the wars during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. This is expressed through the flowers on the clothing, which looked relatively rough.
During the Tang Dynasty, the economy was good and society was stable. The flowers on the clothing were full, magnificent, and serene, and the decorative patterns exuded elegance.
Garments with big sleeves were most common during the Tang Dynasty. The outer garments were transparent, and the inner garments carried a low neckline. The hairstyles were varied; a woman's hair could drag along the ground if not combed.
Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing – each Chinese dynasty had its own distinct culture, resulting in clothing with characteristics of each period.
The Tang Dynasty's clothing style is generally found to embody a broad and magnificent spirit. In the period just before the Tang Dynasty, people's lives were very turbulent, most notably due to the wars during the Southern and Northern Dynasties. This is expressed through the flowers on the clothing, which looked relatively rough.
During the Tang Dynasty, the economy was good and society was stable. The flowers on the clothing were full, magnificent, and serene, and the decorative patterns exuded elegance.
Garments with big sleeves were most common during the Tang Dynasty. The outer garments were transparent, and the inner garments carried a low neckline. The hairstyles were varied; a woman's hair could drag along the ground if not combed.
The Dunhuang Caves in central China contain the greatest and most consummate repository of Buddhist art in the world, with paintings depicting musical performances, dancing and acrobatics spanning 1000 years. The Caves were a primary source of inspiration for Shen Yun's costume designers, although sculptures, jade carvings and household utensils from ancient times were also referenced.
