THE TRANSLATION MECHANISM OF ORIENTAL AESTHETICS IN INTERNATIONAL HAUTE COUTURE WOMEN’S FASHION

Abstract

In the context of globalization, haute couture women’s fashion has become an important arena for cultural exchange and aesthetic reconstruction. Oriental aesthetics, with its unique philosophical concepts and craft traditions, has gradually formed distinct symbolic and narrative systems on the international haute couture stage. This paper focuses on the “translation mechanism” to explore the expressive pathways of Oriental aesthetics in international haute couture. The study finds that the international dissemination of Oriental aesthetics is mainly achieved through three aspects: first, the symbolic transformation mechanism enables traditional elements, such as the qipao silhouette and the aesthetic of ink painting, to be presented through a modern design language; second, the cross-cultural application of craft techniques and materials reinforces the differentiated value of Oriental aesthetics; third, fashion narratives and brand construction confer a cultural identity to Oriental aesthetics in the global market. However, challenges such as superficial symbolization and cultural othering also arise in practice. The paper argues that effective translation of Oriental aesthetics requires a balance among formal innovation, cultural respect, and market demands. Its core value lies not only in cultural output but also in promoting the diversification of global fashion.