Western society has always fetishized Oriental culture and drawn inspiration from eastern traditional imagery. Ethnic influences and romanticized oriental imagery are so omnipresent that we tend to forget that Western culture can also evoke whimsical beauty.
Vogue China turned the tables and drew from Western iconography to create a fashion editorial spread evoking the adventures of the old West in the May 2011 issue. Model Liu Wen stars as a cowgirl in this Far East meets Far West editorial shot by Mark Segal. She poses as a fierce Calamity Jane in designs by Ralph Lauen, Miu Miu, Rodarte and Cavalli. Fringes, cowboy hats and lariats might be painfully stereotypical, but Liu Wen’s beauty and Mark Segal’s use of diffused light paint a romantic picture of the old West.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Cross-cultural Fashion
- Opportunity for fashion brands to blend traditional elements from different cultures to create unique and appealing designs.
- East-west Inspirations
- Potential for Western culture to draw inspiration from Eastern iconography to create fresh and diverse fashion styles.
- Romanticized Aesthetics
- Space for fashion editorials to explore and portray whimsical beauty through romanticized imagery from various cultures.
Sectors Adopting This
- Fashion
- Fashion brands can seize the opportunity to incorporate cross-cultural influences and attract a wider customer base.
- Photography
- Photographers can experiment with blending different cultural aesthetics to create captivating and thought-provoking images.
- Media and Publishing
- Magazines and publications can explore diverse cultural inspirations to offer unique and engaging content for their readers.
