Introduction
One of the many advantages of globalization is the fact that cultures across the world could interact with each other and help each other in integrating with each other. The disadvantage however was that the overbearing effect of globalization often destroyed the local cultures and made a considerable dent in the variety between countries. It is a sad fact that many countries could do nothing while their younger generation took to the new found fad of western culture and dressed and behaved in a manner that simply aped the west. The situation is common in almost all countries and even those countries that were considered to be culturally impregnable have been significantly affected by the effects of globalization. It would not be wrong to say that the biggest effect of globalization is on fashion, and the changing fashion trends is proof to the fact that the effect of globalization has significantly affected the fashion trends in the whole world. For example the "fashion-gap" between countries like Paris and Asian countries is not very wide as was the case a few years before. The end result is that the fashion that is available in Paris or other fashion capitals of the world is the same that is found in Asian countries. On the other hand, the ethnic manner of dressing, which bore a strong cultural identity, is fast disappearing. This paper will be concerned with the fashion trends in China, which was considered to be impregnable to world wide influences.

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Analysis
The growth of the fashion market in China is in fact due to the increasing wealth that people have at their disposal. For example successful entrepreneurs, businessmen, people who have been lucky to get rich etc are people who can afford the luxury fashion commodities that are in high demand in China. This has been due to the liberalization of the Chinese economy and adoption of the free market economy [JC Report 2004]

It would be very important to ponder as to why there is a global urge to conform to changing trends of apparel fashion. What prompts one to change ones fashion? It may be said that conforming to fashion trends enhances ones position in the society because it reflects the affluence of the person who can afford it. Secondly being fashionable projects an image that is so important for many people. In many Asian countries including China, fashion in the olden times was very slow to change and the people did not have many options to choose from. In the modern times in China, the range of clothing that is available to the average person is very much. In addition the materialistic mentality that has been injected in the society due to globalization compels many people to buy clothes that are more suited to the times than what they would genuinely opt for. Hence, it may be said that fashion trends arise out of the urge of people to conform to standards. Fashion has got to do more with the mental position of a person than his genuine needs [Wikipedia, 2004]

It is natural phenomenon that modern ideas and interaction brings about so many changes that comes into conflict with the existing norms and belief systems of a society. In fact, the ability to assimilate productive changes and the capacity to discard beliefs that are detrimental to the interest of the society are the essential qualities of a good social order. If a society allows itself to be dominated by beliefs that are not in tune with the needs and aspirations of the changing times, one cannot say that it is a progressive society. On the other hand, it must also be said that a society that is open to change without considering the detrimental effects that such a change can make in the long run will not add quality to that society. Hence, ideally there needs to be a balance between age old ideas that form the foundation of the society on which modern progressive ideas needs to be implemented

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Chinese concepts in fashion
While the global fashion good manufacturers have been trying hard to make an entry to the profitable markets in China, there has been a concerted effort to maintain the ethnic quality of Chinese apparel. For example, many fashion brands in China carry the rich floral patterns that were the characteristic of Chinese style. The Chinese like all Asians are very concerned of their culture and ensure that cultural values are passed from one generation to another effectively. Hence it is not surprising that the Chinese also inculcate their values in their apparel fashion. For example the "qipao", which is a tight fitting garment, is considered graceful and elegant. It may be seen that women are the custodians of cultural values in China. Men often cannot conform to Chinese traditional dress because of their professional requirements. On the women have been wearing traditional; dress and even gone against the wish of the ruling dynasties to preserve their cultural values. Traditional dress is considered to be conservative, more close to tradition and expresses a mind to conform to the traditional values which is very important in China

"In the past, an excessively stubborn attachment to the national culture ended in tragedy, when more than 100,000 Ming loyalists were killed for refusing to wear Qing clothing. Today, when there is not a shred of that stubborn attachment, is this not also a tragedy?" [Chiung-fang, 2004]

In China like in other Asian countries, clothing defines the thought process of the people. It is not just attire that is worn to attract people or merely used to cover the body. For example, the Chinese had a unique "worship dress" called the manful that occupied a very important position in Chinese society. The color looked like black but had a tinge of reddishness to it. The Red and the black color are very important in Chinese culture and signify deeper philosophical meanings in the Chinese society. Other prominent colors were blue. The women wore the "yindan shilin" which was more loosely fitting and suitable for work. Similarly blue denotes the heavens in China and so even the mundane color in China has some philosophical connotations.

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The two piece qipao could be made from any fabric and was the most common dress worn by Chinese women. It could be made from any fabric and was a versatile dress. The dress was sewn using a variety of material like satin, silk, cotton etc. Embroidery and finer elements were added to the dress to make it more appealing to the high society ladies. Indantren dye was used as a fabric painter and was a popular dye. Initially, the embroidery was mostly flowers and other traditional motifs. Western influence has given their share of motifs and other details. The knotted buttons and loops generally known as huaniu or panhuaniu, are one of the most important parts of the Chinese dress and reflect thousands of years of experience in knot and thread work. Sewing was an n important aspect of Chinese dress making and experienced tailors were a very important part of the society. The beauty of the Chinese dress was dependent on the skill of the tailor and he makes the dress look more attractive with his skill.

Fashion in China emerged with the waning influence of communism. Any elaborate dress or even small style elements to one's dress could be considered a crime in communist China. Hence, fashion was a taboo in China where the iron rule of the communists existed. Hence in those times even a slight change in one's dressing could be considered as fashion because that would have been a marked change from what existed at the time [Chen, 2004]. Shanghai was the center of Chinese fashion that made its presence felt in the early twentieth century and was called as the Paris of the East. In fact the development of fashion in Hong Kong depended on the Chinese fashion that made its arrival in Shangri. With the arrival of modernism and the new found freedom for women, which was due to western influence, the dress underwent marked changes that accommodated the modern outlook to life.

“The earliest style of cheungsam was loosely fitted and ankle length. Over time, hem lines rose to mid-calf or knee length. Sleeves varied, from long to medium length to small capped sleeves, or a Western-style frilled sleeve might be added. Some were sleeveless. The stand collars were sometimes stiffened and could go as high as the ears. The cheungsam became increasingly tight-fitting and side-slits rose higher” (Roberts, 1997: 59-60)

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Today, the dress in China is a fashion statement that reflects the mindset of the people. For example traditional dress is used more by women who prefer to upkeep the traditional values of the society. Modern kids wear modern dresses that are western in style and fashion. The style and fashion elements have undergone a lot of changes in this country where people seem to be confused between adopting the western values fully and keeping age old traditions that are important to them and their families. In China the loosening of economic restrictions has encouraged people to adopt various methods to flaunt their wealth and clothes are just one part of their personality. Hence while people in the traditional community may wear ornate and elaborate traditional dress, their children may wear branded goods that are popular in the west. Designer wear is very important in the Chinese society [Jerome, 1979]. However, the affection that the Chinese have for traditional dress is also worth mentioning and many people have be able to balance between the use of modern as well as traditional dresses.

However, the surge for the modern is very strong in this country. With economic barricades being removed and the country being more liberalized, it is expected that the country's leanings towards a much more liberalized society will happen. Fashion statements are changing with time and the dress is becoming a strong indicators or ones economic status in China. The surge of Chinese flow for western dresses is similar in another co9untry like India where the modern style of dressing is also catching on. Similar to China, India considers dress a cultural identifying tool. However modernism has brought about a lot of changes and people have adopted western dresses in their entity.