# Bound Feet Photography Jo Farrell Captures the Last Remaining Women Who Endured Foot-Binding By Meghan Young | Published 2014-05-29 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jo-farrell References: [fastcodesign](http://www.fastcodesign.com/3031112/exposure/the-last-living-chinese-women-with-bound-feet) & [jo4507.wix](http://jo4507.wix.com/jofarrell) Foot binding is a tradition that began during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, flourishing during the Song Dynasty and fading in the early 20th century; British photographer Jo Farrell captured the last remaining women who were forced to endure such pain to achieve '[lotus feet](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iconic-tabi-footwear),' a sign of wealth and aristocracy in the past. Yet looking at these images, it is hard not to liken it to a form of child abuse and torture. Jo Farrell interviewed and shot 50 women in three Chinese provinces, the results of which she hopes to put together for a [coffee table book](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amusebouche) titled 'Living History: Bound Feet Women of China.' Jo Farrell is currently seeking crowdfunding on [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/codex-xband). She reveals, "They feel somewhat ashamed of their feet, as it is a bygone tradition and does not represent modern ways in China. They are a generation of forgotten women." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.7/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 68% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Cultural Traditions Preservation:** There is an opportunity to innovate by creating platforms to showcase and preserve cultural traditions that may otherwise fade into oblivion with time. - **Historical Documentation Through Storytelling:** There is an opportunity to innovatively document history through different storytelling mediums that create empathy and awareness towards historical events. - **Iconic Image Preservation:** There is an opportunity to preserve iconic images that can serve as a reminder of historical social arrangements and cultural norms that have influenced modern-day societies. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** Photographers can join in the efforts to document historical events and traditions that are unique to different cultures using innovative techniques. - **Publishing:** Publishers can tap into the opportunities available to showcase different cultures and their traditions through coffee table books and other literary materials. - **Technology:** Technology companies can develop tools and applications that are useful in distributing and showcasing storytelling and documentary materials to a diverse audience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Unretouched Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dove-reimagine-beauty.md) - [Animated Footwear Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-your-feet.md) - [Footwear Brand Heritage Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/book-of-birkenstock.md) - [Split-Toe Barefoot Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobiome-tabi-gen-01-sandal.md) - [Scan-to-Print Custom Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobiome.md) - [Complimentary Footwear Giveaways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foot-changes-during-pregnancy.md) - [Contemporary Femininity Fashion Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/contemporary-femininity.md) - [Ballet-Inspired Split-Toe Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-rift-black-swan.md) - [Footwear-Branded Heart Health Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wear-your-heart.md)