Chinese TikTok
Submitted by Jamie Wen Weiner
“TikTok” is taking over the way we stream local news, events, and trends, and stay connected to the personal lives of relevant celebrities. What this major social media platform does very well is forcing us all to reconsider how we brand ourselves as well as products and services.
We have also seen this platform boost popularity for the lucky sharers that show up on everyone’s ForYou page, such as when a popular song becomes a trend in everyone’s videos to later skyrocket its way up as the #1 song on the “Spotify” or “iTunes” hit list. Just look at Jason Derulo’s catchy “Savage Love.” It is as if this app is a fairy godmother to all people, trends, and products that go from 100 followers to 1 million in sensational clout.
“TikTok” is just another app that connects us to the rest of the world politically as well as socially. However, what makes it unique from the rest is how influential content can surge due to how accessible and simple the 1 minute videos are limited to.
It is entertainment in its quickest, most instantaneously eye and ear catching form. It is so simple when all you need to do is hit “record” on your phone and simply tap to upload it to the “#fyp” pages. One of my favorite videos that trickled its way into my ForYou page is the popular trend that includes a compilation of panning in on fashionable Chinese street wearers who dramatically catch your eye with every slow motion, dramatic angle, accompanied by a selected badass “TikTok” song.
Each style varies, with tailored outfits to traditional garments incorporated into streetwear to flashy pieces to designerwear. This trend has died down a bit, as there are always new ones on the rise, but it has come to show us Americans that it is indeed cool to care about how you dress, even if simply on the streets, for the chance of Instagram clout and followers/admirers. Not yet aware of this trend? Check out this video compilation and tell me it doesn’t give you goosebumps and respected admiration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xg7VAlj2n0
Popular accounts: @eromei, @sh1ryinyin, @curioussyd, and @marstruck
However, these 6 feet+ gods and goddesses that just so happen to casually roam the streets of China aren’t always representative of the everyday citizen. Rather, influencers dress a certain way to hopefully gain the eyes of recorders on the streets, to later be uploaded on the “TikTok” stream and grow brand popularity.
Anna Mei, who runs her account based off of this trend told “Vogue” that videographers on “Douyin” (the Chinese version of “TikTok”) tend to congregate in popular areas and later share footage to her to create her videos. Think- a hybrid of paparazzi and an everyday, anonymous tipper to “Gossip Girl,” only, the models and influencers being recorded are typically in on the action prior to their “candid” video sesh.
This trend has been brought to America through fashionable influencers such as Nava Rose, who recreates these videos with her own style and friends.“The Chinese street-style videos opened my eyes and made me look at fashion in a new light,” Rose tells “Vogue.”
“They inspired me to step my styling game up and made me feel more comfortable taking risks in what I wear.”
Designer, Jeffrey Dang tells “Vogue,” “Their clothes are constructed with silhouettes that most American clothing brands do not offer, which inspires me to incorporate that fit into my wardrobe,” he says. “Bonus: Many of them wear face masks as an accessory as well, which we all should be doing.” Both conclude saying they wished this trend resonated with more Americans, as Americans tread on casualwear.
As alluded to previously, when it comes to modern day advertising and overall awareness, this app has been particularly useful. According to an interview in “Buzzfeed,” this Chinese streetwear trend has been “used by brands as a method of advertisement.
I believe it’s a more ‘relatable’ way of advertising clothes,” an interviewee claimed. “I think it’s very refreshing for people to get this new insight into Chinese street fashion. I hope that through these videos, people are more excited to learn about China.
I think these videos are going so viral now because people living outside of China may have never imagined that Chinese people are so invested in fashion.” It isn’t uncommon for the Chinese consumer to enjoy showing off expensive brands that they can afford.
Seeing these trends from other parts of the world is indeed giving outsiders an insight on various pop cultures and trends. And honestly, we could all use a bit more of unity through such dividing, controversial, sensitive times, and what better way than through our phones?
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