Another thing about varying aesthetic manners of chinese would be the focus on practicality, peasants wear simpler clothes while other minority ethnic groups in china may have more elaborate decorations on themselves, while elaborate and luxurious materials would only be available only to the rich. We must not forget that the hallmark of good design lies in solution first, then aesthetics come naturally with a problem solved.

An interesting clip on design that I came across a couple of days ago.

http://www.moooi.nl/content/home/design-conversation.shtml

Interesting video, BillySoh. Well designed :D

About the ideas of style and luxury in China... from what you say, it seems like the status conferred by articles of clothing has to do with how rare or luxurious the material is, as opposed to the current fashion climate in the West, where status is conferred mainly by brand names, regardless of the quality of the item.

Yes, I'm thinking of Louis Vuitton... ;)

I think that's real luxury-quality in every sense of the word, not brand names, not showy things. I think that idea of style and luxury is universal. The currant fashion climate of brand names and trends relating to status symbol is not only in the West, the new rich in China are the same, but I think that's also universal.

what kind of style can one have when your freedom is limited?

you can still have your own style, man! why follow? all you need are good guts and good taste, what limitations can freedom pose on you?

There was someone who remarked on Audrey Hepburn's style when she was a nobody and had no money. She had about 5 pieces of basic outfits but she could make her ensamble look different everyday with little accessories of scarfs or something stylish and inexpensive.