An America-Chinese fashion designer believes that Chinese women are among the most beautiful, enduring, and intelligent in the world, yet their image is usually misinterpreted in the West. So, what does it really take to be a modern Chinese woman?
Grace Chen has been working in the fashion industry for the last 10 years and the focal point of her work is designing for modern Chinese women. She learned that they are powerful, but their image and interest have been misinterpreted. The American-Chinese fashion designer helped not just Chinese women, but also other women around the world to better express their identity, glamor, and confidence through her design.
The South China Morning Post spoke with Chen, as well as other influential women in China to know more about a modern Chinese woman. They asked Zang Wen, the editor-in-chief of YOHO Girl!; fitness influencer Giselle Hou and Weiya Zhang; Crystal Li, a leading fashion e-commerce platform employee; and Sara Jane Ho, Beijing-based finishing school Institute Sarita founder.
For Grace Chen, there are more similarities than differences between a modern Chinese woman and other women around the world. She said every woman wants two things: love and respect. She's aiming to bring these two in her designs, wherein love is attractiveness and respect is confidence. She said you can never have one without the other. Chen also said Chinese women have the balance of femininity and power at the same time. They are softer, delicate, poetic, more reserved, yet they can be equally strong.
Zang Wen said a woman can only be called "modern" if she has her own thoughts, she's financially independent and can control her own life. She added that they can never be defined with what they look and what they like to wear.
Giselle Hou and Weiya Zhang said modern Chinese women are open-minded, strong, confident, and independent - both financially and emotionally. They believe that a modern Chinese woman knows what she wants and she controls her own life, particularly when making decisions on purchasing. Hou and Zhang also said modern Chinese women purchase a mix of Western and Asian brands, while they value functionality and how they look for sportswear.
For Crystal Li, a modern Chinese woman can support herself, both emotionally and financially. She can live with curiosity and care, and she knows how to maintain a good status and also independent. Li also believes that a modern Chinese woman can do whatever she likes as long as it makes her happy, confident, and comfortable.
Sara Jane Ho believes a modern Chinese woman is increasingly independent, confused about managing personal relationships but always try to improve herself in all aspects. A modern Chinese woman likes learning new things, likes to re-educate herself to make better choices in life.
