Chinese Miao nationality is a major member of China’s 56 ethnic groups. It has a history to be counted in thousand years, over which splendid civilization has been cultivated. Miao embroidery is one of them. As one of Chinese traditional embroidery ...
Chinese Miao nationality is a major member of China’s 56 ethnic groups. It has a history to be counted in thousand years, over which splendid civilization has been cultivated. Miao embroidery is one of them. As one of Chinese traditional embroidery types, Miao embroidery is distinctive and unique. The use of colors follows intuition and the pattern is infused with imagination. The importance of Miao embroidery does not only lie in the fact that it is an indispensable element in the apparel of Miao. As Miao nationality has no written script, their embroidery was used to record their history. Therefore, understanding Miao embroidery is crucial to understanding Miao history. Unfortunately, the culture of Miao nationality, the meanings and the values of Miao embroidery has been so far neglected by many, and the preservation and further development of Miao embroidery has been challenged.
In order to systematically reveal Miao culture and to preserve the non-material cultural heritage, the author redesigned Miao embroidery and incorporated it into modern fashion, in the hope that when the embroidery is marketized, it can become a sustainable resource. The work presented here conducted a comprehensive and in-depth research into the culture of Miao, through means of literatures study, in situ investigations, etc. This paper focused on the characteristics of the embroidery in woman’s wear in Miao nationality and discovered the value of Miao embroidery in current fashion design.
Miao embroidery techniques is complicated and varied, many of which has fixed processes following the traditional way. This feature has made mass production and sale difficult. Another challenge is that according the present aesthetic standard many patterns in Miao embroidery is either too bright in color or outmoded in design. To re-exhibit the aesthetic values in Miao embroidery, its techniques has to be simplified and its patterns has to be improved. After examining the historical background of Miao embroidery, its primary embroidery techniques, the characteristics of its patterns and the corresponding implications, and the coordination and interaction of colors, the artistic value of Miao embroidery has been highlighted and a design has been formulated. The study shows that the elements in Miao embroidery can be incorporated with modern elements to be blended into modern jewelry design.