Back in 1930s, as the No.1 Far East metropolis, Shanghai definitely deserved to be the top fashion city in China. All the latest fashion originated here, and the degree of openness at that time even surpassed today’s China. In fact, it was a very liberal society with several European Concessions. Shanghai cultural symbols have been spread and become known all over the world. The Shanghai style cheongsam is the most striking symbol, which is the most charming clothing for Shanghai women. In dim light, a beauty dressed in luxurious cheongsam with wavy hair and exquisite mouth and makeup, will attract the attention of many people. In 1930s, Shanghai was flourishing. However, with the invasion of Japan, “Shanghai Dreams” came to a halt just as it was approaching a climax.
“Shanghai, Shanghai night, you are a city that never sleeps……” Modern Chinese people have a good memory of 1930s’ Shanghai. I do miss living in that glorious, intellectual and spontaneous time of history, the 1930sIf one day I could travel back in time to 1930s’ Shanghai, what would I see? One night, I was watching some photos about 1930s’ Shanghai celebrities, such as Lingyu Ruan, Xuan Zhou. Because I was sleepy and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in an old studio, holding a vintage camera. At this time, there came a beautiful lady with a fascinating smile. She told me she just got married, and her husband was on a business trip so she came here to take pictures by herself. While we were taking pictures, she shared her love stories. From her eyes, I read in her eyes that she was a newly married Shanghai women living a simple life with happiness. In a few moments, there came a beauty wearing a beautiful cheongsam. If I guessed right, she is a famous Shanghai socialite. Sizing her up, I saw a fashionable, mature and confident Shanghai women. However, from her eyes I could read something deeper -- a women shuttling between vanity and shyness, which is hard for us to understand. When I was about to finish shooting, there was a charming lady coming to ask me whether I could help her take some portraits as a memory gift. I glanced at her appearance, guessing that she should be a prostitute. However, she seemed to come from a wealthy family when I observed her deportment. During the shooting, she told me she was “sold” to a pimp by her relatives when her family went bankrupt. From that time on, she became a prostitute without any alternatives. During the entire shooting, she was a little bit depressed, however, she was beautiful and charming. I quietly watched a view of her back disappearing in the crowd. I wished she could meet someone to love and live in a happy life. While the only thing I could do was to give my best wishes to her. Soon, I had the fourth guest. It was a little girl who was approximately 15 or 16 years old. She told me that today is her sixteenth birthday. According to the local custom, people here would take a group of pictures to commemorate their adulthood. During shooting, she was very cheerful. She said she was living in Stone Warehouse Gate which is a traditional Shanghainese architectural style building combining Western and Chinese elements that first appeared in the 1860s. She liked the unfettered life, but she did not know how long this kind of life could last. I sincerely hoped that she would always stay in this happy moment. When I was about to close the door of this studio, a young woman came to ask me if I could photograph some pictures for her. She wanted them to be buried in her husband’s cemetery. She told me that her husband died in the war just a few days after they were married. making her a widow. She said she hated the war, but she could not change her fate, even while sobbing silently.
I did not know how to express my feeling. There was something joyful, and sorrowful at the same time Indeed, this was a complex era of history with many facets. This was an era of fashion, grace, and charm, however individuals were struggling with their fate. In one word, these five women embodied the different classes in the greater Shanghai 1930s.