By Sandra Kelly
Buffalo State College’s fashion textile
technology program will host a cultural
fashion show with designs from Yanyan, a Chinese fashion
designer who in 2002 was the first young Chinese designer
to have a fashion collection presentation held on the Great
Wall, said Elaine Polvinen, one of the directors and producers
of the show.
The show will be held during Bengal Pause
at 12:15 p.m. April 19 in the Warren
Enters Theater in Upton Hall.
“This was a unique opportunity that
we had with Yanyan,” said Polvinen, a professor in
the fashion
textile technology program.
Yanyan, whose name in Chinese means “little
swallow,” first organized and produced the fashion
show in 2001 in China, said Polvinen. Originally from China,
Yanyan moved to the United States about six years ago. She
lived in Western New York up until about one year ago when
she moved to Texas.
“It was a large-scale historical fashion
event titled, ‘Dresses and Trappings in All Historical
Periods,’” she said. “She (Yanyan) spoke
about fashion during a 5,000-year-period in China…Her
collection traveled to Singapore and Malaysia and received
very good reviews. Many local Chinese people came to see
this show, saying, ‘We have seen a thousand years
of the cultural splendor of China in this show, and it makes
us proud of our country. Thank you for your works!’”
The clothing highlighted in Tuesday’s
show ranges from historical reproductions to modern articles
that are inspired from historical periods, said Polvinen.
The historical reproductions are only represented
in the first scene, the Qing Dynasty, she said. The rest
of the clothes will be modern clothes from about 1900 and
on.
“There are about 100 garments in the
show,” said Polvinen.
The presentation will have an introduction
by Janet Ramsey, the dean of University College; Janet Kaye,
a communication department professor, will be the master
of ceremonies.
“It’s a fabulous opportunity
for faculty, students and staff to learn about the Center
for China Studies while experiencing a vibrant multifaceted
afternoon,” Kaye said.
There will also be a raffle to benefit the
Center for China Studies, to assist with scholars visiting
Buffalo State from China, said Polvinen. Tickets will be
on sale at noon on Tuesday and will cost $1 each or six
for $5.
Prizes include:
• gift baskets
• gift certificates for local restaurants
• bowling gift certificates
“This project has provided a unique
experience in cultural diversity for all participants. It
has brought together faculty and students from history,
hospitality, communication and fashion at Buffalo State
and the Chinese language program at the University of Buffalo,”
said Polvinen.
Hospitality students, under the direction
of professor Steve Burgeson, will prepare Chinese cuisine
for the reception after the show, she said.
The fashion show is free and open to anyone
who would like to attend.
Sandra Kelly can be reached at sandykelly@gmail.com
Links:
http://www.buffalostate.edu/centers/ccs/
http://www.buffalostate.edu/depts/fashion/
http://www.buffalostate.edu/tour/index.asp?sectid=uh&phnum=7
http://www.buffalostate.edu/centers/ccs/pdf/china_fashion.pdf
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