Analysis of Contemporary Fashion Design Using Traditional Chinese Women's "Daodaxiu" Clothing : Focusing on the Collections from 2014 to 2024

This study examines the design features of traditional Chinese women’s garments, specifically the Daodaxiu clothing, and explores their application in contemporary fashion, focusing on their influence on global design practices. As a representative element of women’s clothing during the Republic of China period, Daodaxiu clothing embodies historical changes and has been reinterpreted in modern fashion. The study analyzes fashion collections from 2014 to 2024, including 92 images from 45 brands across 20 seasons. The results indicate that Daodaxiu clothing elements are more prevalent in S/S compared to F/W collections. A comparative analysis between Chinese and Western collections demonstrates notable similarities in silhouette. Western collections favor modern simplicity, whereas Chinese collections integrate traditional and modern elements in their details. Regarding color and patterns, Western collections tend to use high-saturation solid colors and realistic motifs, whereas Chinese collections favor low-saturation colors and symbolic patterns. Both silk fabrics and synthetic materials are extensively used, with Chinese collections exhibiting a diverse mix of fabrics. This study highlights the cultural and material diversity of Daodaxiu clothing elements in contemporary fashion and provides valuable insights into the cultural integration of fashion design in Asia.