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