18th-century fashion, a glimpse of Chinoiserie in French silk!

The cultural exchange between China and France has a long history. As early as the end of the 17th century, Emperor Kangxi and King Louis XIV of France began to exchange books and gifts. With the arrival of French Jesuit missionaries in China, they brought early capitalist scientific and technological advancements from the post-Renaissance West to China, and introduced traditional Chinese culture to the West. During the prosperous Kangxi and Qianlong era, French missionaries introduced China to France through letters, sparking a 'China craze' in French society. The exchange of silk culture between China and France also developed continuously against this backdrop. 18th-century fashion was famous for its elaborate decorations: exquisite wigs, luxurious embroidery, and voluminous skirts. Panniers, which expanded the skirt to the sides, became an undergarment for everyday wear. People used a large amount of jewelry, embroidery, lace, ribbons, and artificial flowers for decoration. The patterns were delicate and intricate, with bright and light colors, and pink hues were a main characteristic of the clothing color palette of this period. Men typically wore coats, waistcoats, and breeches. The waistcoat was the most decorative part, with lace still worn around the neck, white silk stockings below the knee, and high-heeled shoes adorned with large buckles. Coats were more fitted to the body, and feminization in men's fashion became increasingly prominent. In 18th-century China, it was the golden age of traditional silk handcrafting. Silk patterns were dominated by auspicious meanings, 'every design has a meaning, and every meaning is auspicious.' Influenced by foreign art, silk patterns of this time also featured a blend of Western and Eastern elements, such as Rococo style and Persian motifs. Textiles with Chinese-style patterns became popular throughout Europe in the 18th century. The silk fabrics designed in Lyon represented the highest standard of 'Chinoiserie' design in European silk textiles.