Fashion Designers and National Identity: A Comparative Empirical Analysis of Chinese and Korean Fashion Designers

The purpose of this study is to observe the similarities and differences between contemporary Chinese and Korean fashion designers in understanding the concept of national identity. To achieve this objective, the literature review and in-depth interview were conducted. The results are as follows- Firstly, the model that interprets the influence factors of designers’ awareness of national identity was built. Under the social background of national identity, including governmental role, features of culture, openness of social system and the international and economic status, features of fashion and fashion designers influence on national identity expressed in designers’ fashion works. Secondly, three main similarities between fashion designers’ awareness have been found. The first is that both Chinese and Korean fashion designers emphasize broader regional concept about national identity; the second is that influence of national identity is subtle and not obvious; the third is that fashion designers have mixed consciousness of self-identity and national identity. Thirdly, there are three main differences between Chinese and Korean fashion designers’ awareness. The first is that the adoption of ethnic national identity in fashion design is more related to the traditional ethnic elements in Chinese while modern elements were favored more by Korean. The second is that Chinese designers as a whole showed a deeper comprehension of traditional ethnic culture or philosophy than Korean designers do. The third is that more solid and positive attitude toward the government caused Chinese designers to have a more intensive civic national identity.