Clothing is one of the richest expressions of material culture helping to define cultural identity. The loose fitting trousers and jacket or cheongsam featured in this collection of children's clothing is one of the most recognisable of national costumes and is significant as it represents a common style of clothing that has existed throughout China's long history.

Traditional Chinese children's costume was styled along the same lines as adult clothing. Chinese clothing is simple in construction, practical and suits all body shapes. A core value and fundamental belief in Chinese society is that obligations to ancestors must be fulfilled. Historically, clothes that were uniform showed a person's place within a clan. Every man and woman was designated a place in society with a complex system of dress regulations imposed originating as far back as the Zhou Dynasty (122BCE-221BCE). Clothing was a means of differentiating between various levels of society and as a measure of controlling the populace.

Political upheaval during the middle years of the twentieth century impacted on traditional costume in China and by the 1980s the wearing of traditional dress was in decline as increased urbanisation and a predilection for things imported from the west began to influence dress.

Children's clothing in China is styled along the same lines as adult costumes. Cotton fabric was used for everyday clothing and silks and satins were saved for special occasions. The centre opening jacket is worn by men and boys as an outer garment and was cut in a similar style to the sam (upper garment fastening to the right).

This jacket in black silk jacquard was worn with a black hat and a red button on formal occasions such as the Chinese New Year Festival by the donor as a young child living in Hong Kong with his family.

This collection of clothing including this jacket was donated to the Powerhouse Museum in recognition of the Museum's contribution to multiculturalism in Australia. The donor feels a special connection to Australia as his sister and his son chose to make Australia their home. The donor regularly visits his son who lives in Sydney.

The clothing represents for the donor fond memories of a carefree childhood and family life in contrast to the horrors and deprivation he witnessed living under the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong from November 1941 to August 1945.

Jacket, boys, handmade, silk satin, made by Lai Cheung, Hong Kong, 1930-1940

A hand made bespoke jacket (ma kwa) for a young boy in black satin. The satin features an embroidered floral design, which is slightly transparent. The garment has a mandarin collar and opens at the centre front and is fastened by four loop and button fastenings.

Made: Hong Kong; 1930 - 1940

White label with border, 'Lai Cheung Hong Kong' and Chinese characters embroidered in red.

2007/114/5

1930 - 1940

882 mm