Photo of 2021 Graduation Fashion Show: website of Tsinghua University
A graduation fashion show by the Academy of Art and Design, Tsinghua University, became mired in controversy on social media after some Chinese netizens said the models’ makeup design deliberately played into Western stereotypes of Asians and humiliated Chinese people.
Chinese netizens said the eye makeup design of the models at the show made them “uncomfortable,” as the fashion show chose models with small eyes and deliberately applied eye makeup with long black eyeliners to lengthen their already small eyes.
Some netizens said the makeup was designed to fit Western stereotypes of Asians, saying they humiliated themselves, and even called it an “infernal look.”
Others said that while long eyeliner makeup is commonly seen in fashion shows, that doesn’t make it right. They said the West has long mocked Asians for their small eyes and the use of such makeup by Tsinghua University aims to belittle Chinese people.
But other netizens on Sina Weibo argued that the eye makeup was a “phoenix eye” design featuring a tail that sweeps up toward the temple. People with phoenix eyes are believed to be righteous and wise.
Tsinghua University could not be reached for comments as of press time.
The controversy came after Tsinghua University released the 2021 Graduation Fashion Show review on Youtube on June 15.
The fashion show titled “The Door Opener” was held on May 20 in Beijing.
The university described the fashion show as a mixture of fashion and new media arts. Some works seek inspiration from history and revive traditional themes with a new style. Some works reflect and explore social issues such as the digital crisis, web celebrity culture and online social networking. Other works focus on social groups such as city builders, urban wanderers and migrant workers, according to the introduction on website of Tsinghua University.
Global Times
