#opera fashion

[fuckyeahchinesefashion]

transform to heroes in chinese mythology by 朱铁雄

[journeytothewestresearch]

I saw this cute poster for a restaurant while running around my neighborhood in Taipei. I figured fans of Chinese fashion might like it.

[sh4rpobjects]

Emmy Rossum at the premiere of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ (2004)

[ziseviolet]

Hi my friend wanted to ask about Chinese Opera and the red pom poms on their hats and their significance. I asked my mom and she said they were for decoration so I just wanted clarification

Hi! Thanks for the question, and sorry for taking ages to reply!

The pom poms you see on 盔头/kuitou (Chinese opera headdresses) are called 绒球/rongqiu (lit. "velvet ball"). They are often red, but can also be other colors, and vary in size. Ronqiu are decorative and serve to distinguish the many different types of kuitou from one another. Each type of kuitou is distinct in the number, size, and color of rongqiu that it's decorated with (of course, not all kuitou have rongqiu).

Below - a few different types of Beijing opera kuitou decorated with rongqiu (x):

Rongqiu isn't used just for Chinese opera performances - it's a very common decorative item for Chinese headwear, especially for traditional/folk performances.

Below - examples of rongqiu use in folk custom/performance costumes, left to right: 1) 游神/youshen (wandering gods) procession in Fujian (x), 2) 英歌舞/yingge wu (yingge dance) performer in Guangdong (x), 3) & 4) 高跷/gaoqiao (stilt walking) performers in a 社火/shehuo parade in Gansu (x):

As a festive decoration, rongqiu was also widely used on bridal guan (crowns) from the Qing dynasty into the modern day.

Below - examples of rongqiu use in historical bridal guan: Left - a bride during the late Qing dynasty, circa 1890 (x); Right - a bride during the Republican era/minguo, in 1939 (x):

For some reason it's been extremely difficult to find sources on the origin of rongqiu that would shed more light on its significance, but based on historical paintings the use of rongqiu as a head ornament may have originated in the Qing dynasty. During the late Qing dynasty, it was fashionable among women to wear rongqiu on the sides of their hair, as can be seen in the paintings below (x):

This particular style of rongqiu hair ornament was depicted in the 2012 historical cdrama 娘心计/Mother's Scheme:

For more references, please see my rongqiu and kuitou tags.

If anyone has more information on the significance of rongqiu, please do share!

Hope this helps ^^

[caemidraws]

is the dance really over / if you’re not letting go?

[fallenvampyra]

i'm free at last *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

[operafantomet]

Wedding dress, 1871, Grand Magasins de la Paix in Paris, AKA hellooooo Christine’s wedding dress bodice!

This one was sold through Kerry Taylor Auctions in 2013

[lacetulle]

Paolo Sebastian | Luminary

[artschoolglasses]

A fan printed with the names and boxes of subscribers for the 1787 and 1788 seasons at the King's Theatre.

"Renting a box at the opera for a season was a mark of social standing. These fans would have been a practical accessory in a hot theatre and useful for knowing who else might be there."

Victoria & Albert Museum

[hannahleah]

Model Claude Heidemeyer in the roof of the Opéra Garnier, Paris, 1986 by Manfred Thierry Mugler

[i-did-it-all-for-the-nookie]

shilo and blind mag are so amy lee coded,,,

[crinolinecuriousity]

Opera Cape | c.1896 | French

[ziseviolet]

Hi I was wondering what type of clothing do Beijing Opera actors wear? Is it specific type of costumes or variation of hanhfu?

Hi! Thanks for the question, and sorry for taking ages to reply!

Beijing opera actors wear Chinese opera costumes called 戏服/xifu (lit. “theatrical clothing”), which can be considered a variation of hanfu depending on the style. I have more information in my post here, please check it out! ^^

I also found this Zhihu article (in Chinese) with pictures and descriptions of different styles of Beijing opera costumes as worn by specific characters. According to the article, Beijing opera costumes are mainly based on Ming dynasty hanfu styles, with some theatrical modifications. Because Beijing opera arose and developed during the Qing dynasty, the costumes may also have characteristics of Qing dynasty and Manchu clothing. The article is very informative and I highly recommend it for those interested in Beijing opera costumes!

Below - pictures of various Beijing opera costumes from the article:

For more information and references, please see my Beijing opera, Chinese opera, and opera costume tags.

Hope this helps! (Beijing opera image via)

[girlboccaccio]

Only honest answers. Open to anyone who -good for them - isn't it*lian, still any it*lian could spam it.

Other suggestions are welcomed on the tags, if someone is indecisive can put the various choices on the tags.

[mote-historie]

Cuban illustrator Conrado Walter Massaguer (Conrado W. Massaguer, Conrado Massaguer, C. W. Massaguer, Massaguer), Fashion Illustration of a High Society Couple, Cuba, 1920s.

[azeriadrawsstuff]

Haunt Couture: Midnight Runway

Operetta, Purrsephone, Meowlody, & Toralei (Monster High)