Visitors will find no Taiwan girls in baggy pants. The latest in pants suits is more likely. Dress of free China is eclectic. It includes the modes of Paris and New York, Hollywood and Tokyo or Hongkong. Chinese styles are found both in their pure forms and with Western modifications. Boutiques are featuring original Chinese designs. Most materials are local. The textile industry is Taiwan's leading exporter. For 1971, the volume topped US$700 million, including categories of garments and knitwear.
(File photo)
Textiles got started with cottons and have graduated to a wide range of synthetics. Garments include leisure wear. Export volume of knitwear was in excess of US$300 million in 1971. Some of the styles shown here would be considered a bit daring for Taiwan beach wear but times change fast.
(File photo)
Ten years ago, Taiwan had no professional models and women wore the Chinese chipao or skirt and blouse. Growth of the textile-garment industry has given girls a new occupation. For the talented, fashion shows may provide entry to television and movies. Entertainers often double as models.
(File photo)
Miss China contests have not been held in recent years. But the rise of textiles and tourism have led to pageants to promote the interests of those two industries. These were some of the contestants in the last Miss Tourism competition. The girls had to speak a foreign language and show savoir faire in addition to looking decorative.
(File photo)
Formal chipao has graceful lines and a modest slit at each side of skirt. It is still favored for evening wear.