The lectures are great, putting the costumes into their historical context and giving us the knowledge necessary to start reading the heavy symbolism apparent on absolutely everything.
I am starting right at the beginning because Chinese costume isn't something I've ever needed to research for work so I know nothing about it. Really basic things like learning to tell the difference between men's and women's robes is both useful and interesting.
I had planned to share my course notes here but I am far too much of a novice to attempt that, the complexities are vast so I shall try to show a little of what fascinates me as a taster and recommend better places to gain further knowledge as I come across them.
The first two lectures covered Imperial Court Dress of the Qing period (1644 - 1911).
Of course - Murphy's Law - I won't be able to attend all of the lectures because I will be away filming. I guessed this would happen but figured book it anyway and better to attend some than none at all - the film industry makes fitting into a normal life of planning and preparing in advance impossible.
