Made in Italy – by Chinese Migrants

Special Presentation Complimentary to ElderCollege Delta Members

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Made in Italy – by Chinese Migrants

Presented by Gaoheng Zhang, PhD

(Professor, University of British Columbia and Cultural Critic)

Since the 1990s, fast fashion has grown to be the dominant global mode of garment manufacturing and consumption.  H&M, Zara, Gap, Uniqlo and other fast fashion brands are now found in all the major cities of the world.  Many high-end Italian fashion companies maintain ready-to-wear lines for more price-conscious customers.  In fact, Italy now plays a major role in the manufacture of fast fashion and ready-to-wear, drawing on its traditional status as the largest exporter of garments and fabrics since WWII.  This industry has enjoyed a widely-recognized “Made in Italy” reputation, only recently challenged by China since the early 2000s when China entered the World Trade Organization.  As a result, Chinese migrants to Italy have become key players, filling orders for fast fashion garments for Italian and other European clients in both legal and illegal workshops. The 2018 Dolce & Gabbana ad controversy and the signing between Italy and China of an agreement within the One Belt One Road initiative put in question the cultural and symbolic value of “Made in Italy”!

Saturday, November 30  max 80

10:00am – Noon

Cedar Park Church Heritage Room

5300 44^th Ave, Ladner