Photo of a woman with a bizarre gaze holding a 'Dior' bag... Why is China outraged?

"Allegation of 'Photo Belittling Chinese Women'"

A photo of the French luxury brand Dior showcased at an exhibition in Shanghai on the 12th (local time), which received criticism from Chinese public opinion. / Photo by SCMP website capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] French luxury brand Dior is facing backlash in China for a photo from a recently unveiled exhibition that was accused of insulting Chinese culture.

On the 18th (local time), according to Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP) and others, a photo of an Asian woman wearing traditional attire and holding a Dior bag was displayed at the Lady Dior exhibition held at the West Bund Art Center in Shanghai.

In the photo, the Asian model, dressed in traditional Qing Dynasty clothing with nail decorations, has a piercing gaze. She is holding a luxury handbag.

Once the photo was revealed, Chinese state media immediately protested, saying "Dior has belittled Chinese women."

The China Women's News, operated by the All-China Women's Federation, criticized, "Dior's actions distort Chinese culture and reveal an intention to make Chinese women appear unattractive," adding, "This photo has gone too far." It further pointed out, "This ghostly photo by Dior not only makes the public uncomfortable but also reveals the 'arrogance and prejudice' embedded in the aesthetics and culture of Western brands."

State-run Beijing Daily also joined the criticism with an article titled, "Is this how Dior sees Asian women?"

The controversial photo is the work of renowned Chinese photographer Chen Man (陳漫), who has mainly showcased eerie gazes, somber expressions, and Qing Dynasty costumes through fashion magazines such as Vogue.

As the controversy intensified, Dior removed the photo from the exhibition and deleted it from their social media accounts. However, there has been no apology or explanation regarding the photo to date.

Meanwhile, SCMP reported that although most public opinion is negative, there are some positive views of the photo, noting that it deviates from the Chinese domestic "beauty standards" that favor fair skin and large eyes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.