Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30


to believe that these nappers are
even more worry than all the
militarsts and plaques put together.
Epidemics of hair -bobbing, beauty contests,
fashion shows, wedding reform, militant pa
rades and student uprisings have followed each
other in startling succession in China curing
the past year, while the critical pOpulace warts
nervously for tomorrows newest feminine out
rage
China wear or two ago. were frowned upon as
being distinctly improper, but only Few
months ago the title of Miss TientSn' was
won by Miss Madeleine Chang, daughter OF
China's new consul general at San Francisco.
And Miss Elsie Kwok, daughter OF the Ol-
rector of the government mint, was named
Miss Shanghai"
Hundreds of girls of all nationalities COM
peted in these two beauty contests which were
conducted by night clubs in the port cltleS
and the victory of daughters OF such well
known and respected families gave the stamp
of approval to such enterprises. Iney are
spreading throughout China.
The Shanghai contest was taken so seriously,
in fact. that it was followed by lawsuit In
which eight other beautiful candidates COM
planned that the bslloting had not been con-
Quoted legally but recent settlement OF the
case leaves Miss Kwok undisputed belle OF
Shanghai.
A T the same time fashion shows have also
become popular, following the success OF
one staged in Peiping about two years ago, In
which leading debutantes acted as mannequins
The purpose was to display Chinese cos
TUNES through the ages Pretty maidens wore
the gowns of royal eraS and contrasted these
robes with modern frocks.
It happened that the time of this fashion
show conceded with the vogue for short skirts
apH yNs1fIi al
as it was to conservative Chinese was not SO
shocking as the dresses they wore. Boboed-
haired happers posed on the stage wearing
the latest Chinese versions Of Paris styles-and
old China gaSped
Nationwide criticism of these styles soon fol-
lowed and the dress reformers were encouraged
by native silk dealers whose business slumpeo'
due. to the popularity of foreign materials.
An association of dress reformers, consisting
chiefly of young man students, was organized
in Shanghai and they urged the return to
native fashions as patriotic duty. The sheer
silk hose from the United States, the brilliant
dress fabrics from the looms Of Europe, the
dainty footwear from England, and the i'm
ported millinery from France were all taboo.
s. A WAY with the dress Of the foreigner; let
us dress in home-grow material" cried
the reformers, who placarded billboards with
this slogan.
Chinese girls who persisted in wearing alien
styles did so at their peril, for in Shanghai
they were stopped on the streets and branded
with big rubber stamp attached to long
stick.
II am not decent girl, because wear for
eign goods" said the rubber stamp, pressed
directly on the backs of the offending costumes.
New fashion shows were organized to exhibit
the Chinese modes which are now in vogue, and
recently the silk merchants of Huchow joined
in the crusade by staging bazaar to advertise
Chinese fabrics. EfhgieS were dressed in gowns
of native silks and satins to show the approved
STYLES while other dummies, clad in the despised
Yelvets and tweeds, were given pigs heads.
Finally even the government took cognizance
of the situation by issuing a mandate ordering
the arrest of all who wore queer dress"
People with bent for the novel and queer
have gone so far as to adopt strange styles
and don curious-looking costumes" said the
mandate. Their example was Immediately
copied with the result that the entire nation
Is crazy over novel Clothes"