The death of Mao Zedong on 9 September 1976 ended an era and led to the arrest of Mao's wife Jiang Qing and other members of the 'Gang of four' who rose to prominence during the Cultural Revolution. The 'open-door policy' and economic reforms which followed, created an environment in which people were receptive to the outside world and eager to make up for the '10 lost years' of the Cultural Revolution. Women began to wear coloured and patterned clothing, and accessories were emblazonged with English words such as 'PVC', 'happy' or 'beautiful' rather than 'serve the people'. Clothing which appeared foreign was perceived as modern. Women who had previously not been able to express their femininity or individuality began to experiment with dress style.
These sandals are known as 'xiangxie' fragrant shoes and were designed to prevent smelly feet.

Plastic sandals were popularly worn in China during the rainy season in summer. They were frist produced in 1962.
Collected by Sang Ye in China in 1996 on behalf of the museum. Purchased new from a shoe shop in Beijing called the Beijing xie mao wenju pifa dalou.

Sandals (pair), womens, plastic, unknown maker, China, 1994.
Clear, moulded plastic sandals with flat heel. Three vertical bars across toes, bar running centrally up vamp, strap running around ankle through bar at front to from "T". Plastic knob closure on side. "PVC" printed on central bar, in red, yellow and purple. Coloured images of fruit printed on upper side of sole. Purple plastic inserts in heel and under sole moulded with inscription "Bloom", "5 + 3".

Designed: China

Made: China


Used: China

Owned: Beijing, China

Moulded under sole and heel "Bloom", (5 + 3). Impressed on sole: '22 1/2'.

98/126/53

100 mm

80 mm