Ancient Chinese street style: How Song Dynasty merchants advertised

The Song Dynasty (960-1279) saw culture bloom like never before, and the development of fashion also reached new heights in creativity and diversity. In this episode of Into Chinese Art, Professor Jiang Yuqiu from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology and Belarusian host Kate encounter a true marvel of Song marketing: a street vendor transformed into a walking billboard, his clothes covered in giant, arresting eyes.

This spectacle comes to life through a restored performance of the classic opera Eyedrop Acid, where a vendor sways through the crowd in a hat adorned with three-dimensional "eyes". His attire - a straight-collared jacket in bold red and gold, paired with a practical waist pouch for daily essentials, epitomizes the Song "commuter's wear", a blend of style and utility that feels remarkably modern even today.

Join the pair in a stroll on the streets of the Song Dynasty to uncover more of its fashion secrets.

Into Chinese Art is an immersive cultural interview series produced by China Daily Culture Channel, where international hosts engage with art experts through interactive discussions, offering audiences a deeper understanding of Chinese art and aesthetics. The third season of Into Chinese Art focuses on ancient Chinese fashion.