BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//VNC | Vereniging Nederland China - ECPv6.18.0//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:VNC | Vereniging Nederland China X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/ X-WR-CALDESC:Events for VNC | Vereniging Nederland China REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/Amsterdam BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0200 TZNAME:CEST DTSTART:20270328T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0200 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:CET DTSTART:20271031T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260518T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260518T193000 DTSTAMP:20260512T134816Z CREATED:20260424T124147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T134816Z UID:10000222-1779123600-1779132600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:China Café South; Robots uncovered\, what’s real\, what’s hype in Europe and China DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/china-cafe-south-robots-uncovered-whats-real-whats-hype-in-europe-and-china/ LOCATION:Academisch Genootschap AG Eindhoven\, Parklaan 93\, Eindhoven\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:China Cafe calendar,Economics and Business,Economie en zakelijk,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/foto-china-cafe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260517T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260517T160000 DTSTAMP:20260501T112731Z CREATED:20260501T112731Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260501T112731Z UID:10000228-1779030000-1779033600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Artist Talk Ruben Lundgren and Garrie van Pinxteren DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/artist-talk-ruben-lundgren-and-garrie-van-pinxteren/ CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Nieuwe-cover-file-FINAL-67-small-13HPkj.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260513T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260513T180000 DTSTAMP:20260504T204041Z CREATED:20260504T201539Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T204041Z UID:10000230-1778691600-1778695200@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Zhejiang Trade Delegation 2026 DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/zhejiang-trade-delegation-2026/ LOCATION:DCTEPA\, Sloterweg 296\, Badhoevedorp\, Noord-Holland\, 1171VH\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Economie en zakelijk,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/44bd5d598c56a0f7e5482c85f2a6843e-XO3SlG.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="DCTEPA (Dutch China Trade and Economic Promotion Association)":MAILTO:dctepa@outlook.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260512T153000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260512T170000 DTSTAMP:20260504T202234Z CREATED:20260504T202234Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T202234Z UID:10000232-1778599800-1778605200@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:From China with Love DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/from-china-with-love/ LOCATION:Wijnhavengebouw\, The Hague Campus\, Universiteit Leiden\, Wijnhaven 3.46\, Turfmarkt 99\, Den Haag\, Zuid-Holland\, 2511 DP CATEGORIES:Education and science,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CKN-From-China-with-Love-1-uFOEg7.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Leiden Asia Centre":MAILTO:info@leidenasiacentre.nl END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260430T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260430T164500 DTSTAMP:20260416T111154Z CREATED:20260414T102343Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T111154Z UID:10000217-1777561200-1777567500@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Lecture by Dr. Ping Foong: ‘To Amuse\, to Amass\, and to Multiply: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei’ DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/lecture-by-dr-ping-foong-to-amuse-to-amass-and-to-multiply-the-art-and-activism-of-ai-weiwei/ LOCATION:Wereldmuseum Amsterdam\, Linnaeusstraat 2\, Amsterdam\, Noord-Holland\, 1092 CK\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SAM2025_AiWeiwei_062c-1024x683-1.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Wereldmuseum Amsterdam":MAILTO:willemijn.vannoord@wereldmuseum.nl END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260425T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260425T163000 DTSTAMP:20260403T155114Z CREATED:20260312T093905Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T155114Z UID:10000209-1777125600-1777134600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Bicycle Tour: The Chinese Man Who Fell Out the Window and Disappeared DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/bike-tour-the-chinese-who-fell-out-of-the-window-and-disappeared/ LOCATION:restaurant gember\, Stadhouderslaan 43\, Den Haag CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Afbeelding1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260424T094500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260424T123000 DTSTAMP:20260416T101310Z CREATED:20260409T153520Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T101310Z UID:10000215-1777023900-1777033800@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Wuxi Huishan (Amsterdam) Industrial Cooperation Symposium DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/wuxi-huishan-amsterdam-industrial-cooperation-symposium/ CATEGORIES:Economie en zakelijk,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260330-Wuxi-Symposium-20260424-scaled.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260423T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260423T180000 DTSTAMP:20260416T101452Z CREATED:20260414T100102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260416T101452Z UID:10000218-1776960000-1776967200@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Book launch: Taiwan island of versatility DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/book-launch-taiwan-island-of-versatility/ LOCATION:Leiden Asia Centre\, Doelensteeg 16\, LEIDEN\, Zuid-Holland\, 2311 VL\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260408T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260412T233000 DTSTAMP:20260408T204508Z CREATED:20260325T095944Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T204508Z UID:10000212-1775664000-1776036600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:CinemAsia Film Festival 2026 DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/cinemasia-film-festival-2026/ CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CinemAsia-2026_Landscape_1920x850_00164-JgYZju.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260319T153000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260319T170000 DTSTAMP:20260219T075617Z CREATED:20260218T195627Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260219T075617Z UID:10000192-1773934200-1773939600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:The Art of War DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/de-kunst-van-het-oorlogvoeren/ LOCATION:Wijnhavengebouw\, The Hague Campus\, Universiteit Leiden\, Wijnhaven 3.46\, Turfmarkt 99\, Den Haag\, Zuid-Holland\, 2511 DP CATEGORIES:Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/TAoW_Image.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260314T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260314T150000 DTSTAMP:20260227T122938Z CREATED:20260226T103028Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T122938Z UID:10000196-1773491400-1773500400@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:VNC China Eetclub Chinese New Year edition March 14 in Amsterdam DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/vnc-china-eetclub-chinese-new-year-edition-march-14-in-amsterdam/ LOCATION:Full Moon Garden – Dim Sum & Cantonese Cuisine\, Leidsestraat 95\, Amsterdam\, 1017 NZ\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/food-china-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260312T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260312T210000 DTSTAMP:20260226T104758Z CREATED:20260226T104758Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260226T104758Z UID:10000198-1773340200-1773349200@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:VNC China Eetclub Chinese New Year edition March 12 in Eindhoven DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/vnc-china-eetclub-chinese-new-year-edition-march-12-in-eindhoven/ LOCATION:Chen Jia Yan\, Nieuwe Emmasingel 32\, Eindhoven\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/food-china-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260308T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260308T160000 DTSTAMP:20260220T203102Z CREATED:20260220T195512Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260220T203102Z UID:10000194-1772978400-1772985600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Tea & Cheese Pairing in Verhalenhuis Belvedère DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/8-march-2026-tea-cheese-pairing-in-verhalenhuis-belvedere/ LOCATION:Verhalenhuis Belvédère\, Rechthuislaan 1\, Rotterdam\, Zuid Holland\, 3072 LB\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/teacheese.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260307T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260307T170000 DTSTAMP:20260206T204922Z CREATED:20260206T204922Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T204922Z UID:10000176-1772895600-1772902800@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Tea ceremony & flower arrangement DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/tea-ceremony-flower-arrangement/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Flowers-XjgfwW.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260302T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260302T190000 DTSTAMP:20260209T102813Z CREATED:20260206T143933Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260209T102813Z UID:10000174-1772470800-1772478000@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:March 2nd\, 2026 China Café: Investing in China: Risks\, Returns\, and Reality DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/march-2nd-2026-china-cafe-investing-in-china-risks-returns-and-reality/ LOCATION:De Utrechter Stadsbrasserie en Bar\, Vredenburg 40\, Utrecht\, 3511 BD CATEGORIES:China Cafe calendar,Economics and Business,Economie en zakelijk,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/foto-china-cafe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260226T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260226T210000 DTSTAMP:20260217T211019Z CREATED:20260217T211019Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T211019Z UID:10000190-1772134200-1772139600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Trump's Tech and Xi's AI - the livestream DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/trumps-tech-and-xis-ai-the-livestream/ LOCATION:Livestream\, nvt\, nvt\, nvt\, nvt\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Trumps-T-en-Xi-AI-landscape-0o8Myk.png ORGANIZER;CN="Haagsch College":MAILTO:anneke@haagschcollege.nl END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260226T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260226T180000 DTSTAMP:20260217T211258Z CREATED:20260217T211258Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T211258Z UID:10000189-1772110800-1772128800@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Ivens Meet China 2025: A Special Screening & Conversation with Director Zhang Tongdao DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/ivens-meet-china-2025-a-special-screening-conversation-with-director-zhang-tongdao/ LOCATION:Jungle Amsterdam\, Tweede van Swindenstraat 26\, Amsterdam\, Noord Holland\, 1093 VS\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Special-screening-IVENS-MEETS-CHINA-jpg-file-WfXXJO.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="MUYIFILM (Jia Zhao)":MAILTO:info@muyifilm.com END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260221T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260221T160000 DTSTAMP:20260211T211140Z CREATED:20260129T101808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T211140Z UID:10000172-1771678800-1771689600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:VNC China Dining Club: Chinese New Year Edition DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/vnc-china-dining-club-chinese-new-year-edition/ LOCATION:Full Moon Garden – Dim Sum & Cantonese Cuisine\, Leidsestraat 95\, Amsterdam\, 1017 NZ\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event,Vol ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/food-china-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260221T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260221T143000 DTSTAMP:20260217T210434Z CREATED:20260217T210434Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T210434Z UID:10000186-1771669800-1771684200@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Chinese New Year in Brabant! February 21 : Presentation "Dragons\, Horses and Priests". DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/chinese-new-year-in-brabant-february-21-presentation-dragons-horses-and-priests/ LOCATION:Huize Hal\, Hal 31\, 5296 PZ ESCH\, Esch\, Noord-Brabant\, 5296 PZ CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/G.Castiglione.Horse_Chaonier-zq2HUz.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Histotainment lezingen":MAILTO:info@histotainment.nl END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260219 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260401 DTSTAMP:20260215T190027Z CREATED:20260215T190027Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T190027Z UID:10000184-1771459200-1775001599@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:'Meer Dan Babi Pangang' Release DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/meer-dan-babi-pangang-release/ LOCATION:Nederland\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Babi-Pangang-scaled.jpg ORGANIZER;CN="Periscoop Film":MAILTO:devaniyo@periscoopfilm.nl END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260217T080000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260217T170000 DTSTAMP:20251005T095920Z CREATED:20251005T095920Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251005T095920Z UID:10000125-1771315200-1771347600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:VNC Competition for secondary school students DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/vnc-competition-for-secondary-school-students/ LOCATION:VNC kantoor\, Burgemeester van Karnebeeklaan 6\, Den Haag\, 2585BB CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260213T211500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260213T230000 DTSTAMP:20260121T132819Z CREATED:20260121T132819Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260121T132819Z UID:10000165-1771017300-1771023600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:🎉🎬 CinemAsia x Filmhuis Den Haag: Lunar New Year celebration 13–24 February DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/%f0%9f%8e%89%f0%9f%8e%ac-cinemasia-x-filmhuis-den-haag-lunar-new-year-celebration-13-24-february/ CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,Partner ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/CinemAsia_Filmhuis-DenHaag_Lunar-New_year-2026-IQ33Hs.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260212T200000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260212T220000 DTSTAMP:20260206T205539Z CREATED:20260206T205004Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T205539Z UID:10000178-1770926400-1770933600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:An evening with Jung Chang\, author of the bestseller "Wild Swans" DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/an-evening-with-jung-chang-author-of-the-bestseller-wild-swans/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3D_9789049208394-t0GcAt.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260125T153000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260125T163000 DTSTAMP:20260108T103404Z CREATED:20260108T103404Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T103404Z UID:10000163-1769355000-1769358600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Welcome to the VNC New Year's reception on January 25 in Rotterdam DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/welcome-to-the-vnc-new-years-reception-on-january-25-in-rotterdam/ LOCATION:Verhalenhuis Belvédère\, Rechthuislaan 1\, Rotterdam\, Zuid Holland\, 3072 LB\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,Economics and Business,Economie en zakelijk,Education and science,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Logo_VNC_900x455px.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260125T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260125T163000 DTSTAMP:20260119T201751Z CREATED:20251223T093017Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T201751Z UID:10000159-1769346000-1769358600@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Story series: Chinese diaspora in NL and VNC New Year's drink DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/story-series-chinese-diaspora-in-nl/ LOCATION:Verhalenhuis Belvédère\, Rechthuislaan 1\, Rotterdam\, Zuid Holland\, 3072 LB\, Nederland CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event,Vol ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Verhalenserie-Chinese-diaspora-in-NL-002.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260123T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260123T210000 DTSTAMP:20260108T133957Z CREATED:20260108T100150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T133957Z UID:10000161-1769191200-1769202000@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:VNC China Eetclub January 23 in Amsterdam DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/vnc-china-eetclub-january-23-in-amsterdam/ LOCATION:restaurant NorthEast Kitchen\, Ferdinand Bolstraat 26 H\, Amsterdam\, 1014BA\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Culture and Society,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/food-china-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260123T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260123T160000 DTSTAMP:20260108T102255Z CREATED:20251219T150331Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T102255Z UID:10000157-1769178600-1769184000@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Join us for the exhibition 'Made in China' DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/join-us-for-the-exhibition-made-in-china/ LOCATION:wereldmuseum\, Linaeusstraat 2\, Amsterdam CATEGORIES:Art and culture,Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WM_Made_In_China_AMSTERDAM_111_OKT2025.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260116T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260116T180000 DTSTAMP:20260108T111101Z CREATED:20251219T110642Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T111101Z UID:10000153-1768572000-1768586400@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Healthy living in China DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/healthy-living-in-china/ LOCATION:Kargadoor\, Oudegracht 36\, Utrecht CATEGORIES:Education and science,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/China-Briefing-chinas-fitness-industry.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260112T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20260112T203000 DTSTAMP:20251219T144931Z CREATED:20251219T144931Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T144931Z UID:10000156-1768246200-1768249800@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:Information evening Table tennis trip China summer 2026 DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/information-evening-table-tennis-trip-china-summer-2026/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Cultuur en Maatschappij,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Table-tennis-camp.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20251215T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/Amsterdam:20251215T193000 DTSTAMP:20251211T153303Z CREATED:20251117T105920Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251211T153303Z UID:10000146-1765818000-1765827000@www.vnc-china.nl SUMMARY:China Café South; Behind the headlines of the Nexperia Case: China\, Chips & Choices DESCRIPTION:by En Shi de Weijer \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWith my traditional Chinese dress\, which is called a qipao in Chinese\, I used to go to school proudly. At the time\, I thought you could only buy something like that in China. I saw Chinese clothing at most once as part of a carnival costume. Now\, a few years later\, I walk through the city and suddenly I see dresses hanging in the Zara that look suspiciously like a qipao. It now suddenly seems to be part of the Dutch street scene\, but how did such a Chinese dress actually end up in Dutch stores? \n \n \n \n \n \nRunning for a Tang jacket\nAt the beginning of this year\, Adidas went viral on the internet with its Chinese New Year collection. One of the most popular items was its own interpretation of the Tang jacket\, which made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week 2025. The design was inspired by the traditional tangzhuang\, but was combined with the contemporary style that is so characteristic of Adidas. The tangzhuang is a modern version of the magua\, a traditional Chinese garment that was originally worn by soldiers in the army during the Qing Dynasty. The tangzhuang has a long history within Chinese clothing culture and is mainly characterized by the mandarin collar and the characteristic pankou buttons: decorative\, often fabric-covered button closures that are intertwined. Thanks to the enormous online attention\, Adidas brought the jackets exclusively to the Western market and they also proved extremely popular in the Netherlands. They were sold out in a short time and interested parties even had to participate in a draw to have a chance of winning such a jacket at all. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image Adidas website: Viral Adidas Tang jacket\, February 2026) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese identity in fashion\nWhile Adidas seems to have been an important catalyst for the visibility of Chinese fashion elements in the West\, the brand was certainly not the first to bring this style to an international audience. Chinese sports brand Li-Ning combined contemporary clothing with traditional Chinese elements for the first time in 2018. This turned out to be a huge success and a new movement within Chinese fashion emerged. \nElsbeth van Paridon\, sinologist and journalist who has lived and worked in China for years\, knows all about the trends and developments within Chinese fashion and urban culture. “At the moment\, Guochao 国朝 the biggest trend in China\, which means ‘national trend’ in English. In recent years\, Chinese fashion brands and designers have started to look much more at what can be found in their own cultural arsenal\,” says Van Paridon. This is closely related to a growing pride and appreciation for their own culture among Chinese consumers. Pride in one’s own culture was especially fueled during the corona pandemic\, a period in which China was in a very uncertain position internationally. \nIt was a smart move by Adidas to capitalize on that Guochao trend. By working together with Chinese designers\, they came to understand Chinese culture better. In doing so\, they go beyond the traditional\, often stereotypical image of the dragon or the excessive use of the color red. For international brands\, this is the way to connect with the Chinese consumer\, who belongs to one of the most important consumer markets in the world. \nTradition with a modern twist\nBut what exactly is what we see in Dutch clothing stores? For example\, with average denim jackets\, where you can see that the press studs have been replaced by pankou buttons. Van Paridon explains that this falls under the Neo-Chinese style (Xinzhongshi). “This trend is also super popular in China at the moment and also originated from Guohao. It is not traditional clothing\, but the characteristic elements are applied to contemporary silhouettes and materials.” \nWhile traditional Chinese clothing is mainly worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions\, Neo-Chinese fashion translates this tradition into everyday life. The designs are suitable for work\, social occasions and other everyday moments. The essence of traditional clothing is retained\, but given a new interpretation that is in line with contemporary\, global fashion. This creates clothing that is culturally meaningful\, but at the same time fits into everyday life. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n (Image En Shi de Weijer: Top of lace with pan-cold buttons in a Dutch shop window)\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Many explanations for the increasing popularity\nThere is no one clear explanation for the growing popularity of this style in the Netherlands. The visibility of the style may be partly due to the Chinese diaspora; for Chinese people living abroad\, fashion is a way to express one’s own identity. Wearing Western clothes sometimes lacks the cultural connection for them\, while wearing traditional clothing is too ceremonial. With that\, the Neo-Chinese style offers the perfect combination. \nIn addition\, the hype surrounding the Adidas Tang jacket has greatly enhanced the development. Van Paridon thinks it is therefore not surprising that fast-fashion brands\, which usually adapt quickly to new fashion trends\, go along with this. The visibility among major brands creates extra attention and increases the chance that this aesthetic will be widely adopted. Moreover\, the style is spreading at a breakneck pace via social media. China has become increasingly present in the online lifestyle culture in recent years. An example of this is the online phenomenon ‘Chinamaxxing’\, in which young people in particular are inspired by Chinese culture\, lifestyle\, fashion and beauty. \nThe leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Vogue highlights the minimalist nature of Neo-Chinese fashion\, which can be seen as one of the characteristics that contribute to the popularity of this style. The aesthetic fits seamlessly with the minimalist design trend that has been popular in Europe for some time\, in which timeless designs\, high-quality materials and a modest appearance are central. The feeling of luxury also plays a role in this; Due to the emphasis on quality\, material and careful workmanship\, the clothing does not have to be outspoken or striking to make an impression. \nUltimately\, the rise of this trend shows that fashion knows no boundaries. We don’t just copy trends from each other\, but constantly exchange ideas\, styles and influences with each other. What becomes popular in China finds its way to Europe and vice versa. Trends come and go and are influenced by what is going on in the world. Still\, I secretly hope that this style will stay for a while. This way I can bring a little bit of China to my wardrobe\, without having to travel far. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nIn addition to Neo-Chinese fashion\, you can also encounter this on the streets of China: \n(Images A. Swijtink) \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Sources: \nImage Adidas Tang jacket: adidas Tang Track Jacket New Chinese Style “Focus Olive”- KT3847 \nAnonymous. (2023\, July 18). National Trend – 国朝 (guó cháo). CHIN 3343: Chinese Popular Culture Terms\, Vol. 1. https://uhlibraries.pressbooks.pub/chin3343sp23/chapter/nationaltrend/#:~:text=Guochao%2C%20%E5%9B%BD%E6%9C%9D%2C%20gu%C3%B3%20ch%C3%A1o%2C%20means%20%E2%80%9Cnational%20trend%E2%80%9D.%20This\,faith%20and%20took%20on%20a%20Taoism%20inspired%20look. \nBabayigit\, S. (2026\, January 25). Cultural appreciation: this is why ‘mandarin jackets’ are absolutely not a trend. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/nl/fashion/a70089397/mandarin-jackets-cultural-appropriation/ \nCalloway\, J. (2026\, August 31). Tang Suit Chinese Style: A Beginner’s Guide to Tangzhuang. The Garment Atlas. https://thegarmentatlas.com/asian-traditions/chinese-tang-suit-beginner-guide \nCriales-Unzueta\, J. (2024\, April 8). What is “New Chinese style”? and everything else you missed from Shanghai Fashion Week. British Vogue. \n https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/new-chinese-style-shanghai-fashion-weekNeo Chinese Style Clothing | Modern Chinese fashion. (s.d.). Hanfu Story. \n https://thehanfustory.com/collections/neo-chinese-style卢晓芳. (2026\, March 11). The Rise of Neo-Chinese Style in 2026: Why Modern Chinese Fashion Is Redefining Global Elegance. Luxury Orienta CO.\, LIMITED. \n https://luxeorienta.com/blogs/fashion-trends/the-rise-of-neo-chinese-style-in-2026-why-modern-chinese-fashion-is-redefining-global-eleganceGoudsmit\, L.\, & Goudsmit\, L. (2026\, January 6). Jackets and cardigans with this special closure are an unexpected hit. Vogue NL. https://www.vogue.nl/shoppings/mandarijns-jasje-vest-sluiting/ URL:https://www.vnc-china.nl/en/event/china-cafe-about-nexperia-behind-the-headlines-of-the-nexperia-case-china-chips-choices/ LOCATION:Academisch Genootschap AG Eindhoven\, Parklaan 93\, Eindhoven\, Netherlands CATEGORIES:China Cafe calendar,Economics and Business,Economie en zakelijk,VNC event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vnc-china.nl/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/foto-china-cafe.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR