Guochao, a vogue pattern that includes trendy designs combined with conventional cultural parts, is a method du jour in China. However its followers usually are not simply younger Chinese language, as Gen Z’ers worldwide are leaping on the style wagon, too. JongMay is certainly one of them.
BEIJING, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) — JongMay Urbonya is an American girl filled with surprises: she is fluent in Mandarin, obsessive about Hanfu — a conventional Chinese language model of clothes — and immersed in her world of historic Chinese language TV dramas.
After 11 years of dwelling in Beijing, she began an organization in April, aiming to advertise conventional Chinese language tradition by social media movies. Her inspiration for this profession alternative stemmed from the rise of Guochao in China.
The previous decade witnessed rising appreciation of conventional Chinese language tradition amongst younger folks. Therefore a brand new vogue pattern got here to life — Guochao, or “China-chic,” which options trendy designs combined with conventional cultural parts.
JongMay Urbonya reads a guide at Beihai Park in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 19, 2022. (Picture by Yang Yalan/Xinhua)
“I feel Guochao is a manner for younger folks to attach with the traditional tradition, and in addition to convey it into the fashionable occasions,” JongMay mentioned.
In certainly one of her movies, she strolled within the gardens of Beijing’s Summer time Palace, carrying lovely Hanfu whereas tasting conventional Chinese language pastries. In one other video, she carried out classical Chinese language dance to an historic tune.
JongMay was born in 1994 within the metropolis of Dalian, northeast China’s Liaoning Province, the place her mother and father labored as English academics. She returned to america on the age of six and got here again to China as a highschool scholar. She studied Chinese language dance in school and has been staying in Beijing ever since.
She mentioned it was her “princess dream” that led her again to China.
“Once I was a child, I used to be throwing blankets over my shoulders and pretending I used to be some historic Chinese language princess,” she mentioned. “I assumed I needed to come to China to study in regards to the tradition extra deeply.”
JongMay Urbonya dances at Beihai Park in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Wang Jian)
The rise of Guochao has introduced her dream inside simpler attain. “The standard tradition isn’t considered simply as historical past that seems on stage or in films, however as a brand new fad that has blended into trendy life,” she mentioned.
She recalled that 10 years in the past when she was in school, carrying Hanfu was nonetheless a distinct segment interest and she or he may solely purchase custom-made Hanfu. Now, she has integrated Hanfu into her on a regular basis put on and is ready to buy several types of Hanfu on-line.
JongMay has confidence within the worldwide attraction of conventional Chinese language tradition. “Many Westerners wouldn’t have a lot contact with Chinese language tradition. Once they do, they assume it is attractive!”
JongMay Urbonya takes a selfie at Beihai Park in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 19, 2022. (Xinhua/Ma Xiaodong)
Although her social media channels solely began just lately, she has already acquired optimistic suggestions from viewers worldwide.
“Even Chinese language within the West have mentioned ‘I am so blissful that you’re expressing your self by our tradition,'” she mentioned.
“Given my love of conventional Chinese language tradition, it’s coming from the underside of my coronary heart. It is simply real love.” ■
