Mao Jackets To Get Some French Styling

In the 1980s, Chinese citizens gained access to “status goods” like TV sets, stereos and washing machines. Now the country’s civil servants are stepping into French fashions.

The Chinese government has asked French designer Pierre Cardin to design uniforms for its public servants, including the People’s Liberation Army, railways, airline and post office personnel.

Siti Zheng, who negotiated the contract for Pierre Cardin in Beijing, said this was an effort on China’s part to project a new, positive image of itself.

Ironically, Pierre Cardin is not really in the forefront of western fashion anymore. But, said Zheng, “at least this will break away from the Russian-looking uniforms that the Chinese army currently has.”