Chasing the Dragon: China in the Western Imagination

The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection presents an exhibition highlighting the influence of Chinese design throughout fashion history including Western interpretations and imitations (chinoiserie). The exhibition running from  September to December 2023 will open a conversation around cultural appropriation in historic fashion. Not only will the impact of stereotypes in fashion and arts be highlighted, but also diverse voices from the Drexel community will be centered to highlight Asian American perspectives on reclamation of the design narrative. The objects on display represent original garments produced in China, Euro-American fashions inspired by them, and styles made in Hong Kong, Manila, and Honolulu that reflect the cultural fusion that occurs with global trade. This exhibition deliberately de-centers the traditional Euro-American fashion chronicle in favor of multiple fashion narratives and encourages audiences to consider the Chinese origins of these historical garments.

Learn more about our Collection Highlights

Exhibition Label Contributors

Westphal College faculty members and students were invite to create exhibition labels based on their reflections on the items in the Chasing the Dragon exhibition. You can check out their labels by visiting the collection highlights.

Faculty:

June He, Assistant Professor of Product Design

Jaeyoon Jeong, Associate Teaching Professor of Fashion Design

Linda Kim, PhD, Associate Professor of Art History

Shushi Yoshinaga, Associate Professor

Students:

Lena Tran, Van Le

Meet the Curatorial Team

Professor Clare Sauro

Co-Curator, Director, The Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection Assistant Professor, Design & Art History, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University

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Professor Pamela Yau

Co-Curator, Program Director and Assistant Teaching Professor Arts Administration and Museum Leadership, Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University

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Phil Chan

Rankin Scholar-in-Residence 2022-2023 Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Drexel University Co-Founder and President, Gold Standard Arts Foundation

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