| The dazzling costumes in NTDTV's Chinese New | | | | traditional Chinese culture. Through this |
| Year Spectacular are as much a part of each | | | | show I see the hope of being able to preserve |
| dance as the dance movements themselves. They | | | | my culture for the benefit of my daughter and |
| are, in many ways, the palette on which the | | | | the next generation." |
| dance is performed. Clothes, hair, | | | | |
| colors-this is what transports us to the | | | | Ms. Lee has worked in the fashion industry |
| Divine Land of ancient China. | | | | for more than twenty years. She was a |
| | | | professor of fashion design and fashion |
| The Spectacular's wardrobe designers put | | | | history in China. Although her costumes take |
| great effort into creating just the right | | | | inspiration from different dynasties and |
| effect. A costume starts with a concept of | | | | ethnic regions, her favorite dynasty is the |
| the dance. The dance may have a powerful | | | | Tang. She says the Tang Dynasty reflects the |
| story or be found in a specific dynasty. | | | | zenith of Chinese culture-artistically, |
| Designers pore over paintings, frescoes and | | | | economically and politically. During this |
| even statues to find the right look. | | | | time China was very open-minded. Prosperous |
| Accessories then come into the design-hair, | | | | and peaceful, the Tang Dynasty drew on |
| shoes, hats, belts. Next come sketches. | | | | influences from India, the Middle East and |
| Designers must consider not only how an | | | | Europe. |
| outfit looks but also its flexibility for | | | | |
| dance movements and whether it is durable | | | | According to Ms. Lee, all this is reflected |
| enough to withstand over eighty performances. | | | | in the clothes. "The clothes were rich and |
| | | | confident. They were uplifting," she said. |
| Then the sketch goes to the sewing workshop. | | | | "Women wore large, open sleeves, sometimes up |
| Here garment makers select just the right | | | | to two and a half feet wide. They wore |
| fabric, make the pattern and produce a | | | | see-through materials and gowns with high |
| sample. If it's not just right, the whole | | | | waists that were decorated with large, open |
| process starts over. If the sample is | | | | flowers." |
| approved, the task of making the clothes | | | | |
| begins. Multiply this countless times. A | | | | Each dynasty had its own characteristics that |
| single dance in this year's Spectacular, the | | | | were likewise reflected in the clothes. In |
| dance drama of General Yue Fei, required more | | | | general, Ms. Lee says everything can be found |
| than 100 costumes and accessories. | | | | in the clothes-even the ancient people's |
| | | | morals and values. "Clothing isn't just a way |
| For Amy Lee, the principal designer in New | | | | to cover the body. It also reflects a |
| York, this effort is well worth it. "When I | | | | person's thoughts, culture and respect for |
| came to the United States, I saw it was very | | | | the gods. |
| difficult to find any expression of | | | | |