“The only things certain in life are death and taxes.” Benjamin Franklin
Young, cool, smiling, happy, traditional and elegant. My favorite couple!
Until a few days ago I was convinced that there was a third absolute certainty for Chinese girls: their WEDDING DAY!
In a country where in 2009 men outnumbered women 120 to 100 according to official government statistics, women are all expected to marry – young – and then pressured by their in-laws to have their only child rather quickly. The One-Child policy is occasionally a bit more lenient in some provinces or one can ignore it and pay the government giganormous fines for life but pretty much that’s it for most people. The basic premise of most western romantic comedies, the whole “accomplished-professional-girl-wants-boy-to-see-her-for-who-she-really-is-and-marry-her”* is completely foreign here.
Most young women can easily marry quite young, have one child and concentrate the rest of their lives of growing their careers. Marrying a boyfriend is not too hard if one is ready to settle down. *Notting Hill, The Proposal, 27 Dresses, Sex and the City, Love Actually…etc, See Wikipedia for the longest list ever.
“Dú LaLa” A very popular Chinese character at once in print, movies and TV is about her struggles and adventures climbing the corporate ladder in her Fortune 500 company. Riding the subways and buses young urban Chinese girls devour books on work etiquette and how to get promotions and are less preoccupied by romance.
By law in China young people cannot marry before 20 years old for the girls and 22 years old for the men. The paradox is that China has globally one of the youngest average age for marriage because many people marry almost immediately after it is legal for them to do so.
In big cities, it is getting slightly trickier for Young Urban Girls (FIB). Past 25 years old, they start feeling pressure from all angles, and there is an emerging trend of accomplished educated young women that are having difficulties finding the right partner.
Too smart and too ambitious for their masculine peers they struggle to meet someone to match both their intellectual and physical criteria. Ever tactful, the Chinese have a coined a nasty name for this new phenomenon: ”Sheng nu” (剩女) – The Leftovers.
Seeing so many Chinese men walk around Beijing all summer spitting with their T-shirts rolled up to their armpits lovingly caressing their bellies, I can believe that indeed some of my FIB are facing a challenge.
But whatever the stats, in summertime Beijing, from the minute the climate gets warm to the last possible day the weather will turn off anyone from showing any flesh there are BRIDES.
Everywhere.
Lovingly embracing trees (or their groom) in amusement parks, posing against the fake Greek columns in Chaoyang Park, sitting in front of Tiananmen, regally looking into their future by the Forbidden City, peeking from dubious sculptures in 798 Art District, everywhere there come the brides!
In full red regalia “Spanish Style” by the Forbidden City. Empress for the Day.
Young and Sweet by the columns in Chaoyang
And they are splendid!
No lacy gown is too big or too puffy, no polyester satin is too bright, no red dress too tacky!
Four clear winning looks: the “Meringue” with or without the 7 feet long trail, the Spanish Doll look – combining at once the Lucky Red and the volume, the classic QiPao but embroidered and in bright colors, or the “Barbie does Vegas” look where all bets are off on the colors and embellishments.
So almost everyday of the week, weather permitting, followed by a coterie of photographer,
assistant, stylist, hairdressers and the sometimes compliant-but-less-than-enthusiastic groom, Brides pose and shine for their one day of East meets West Fantasy.
The fun part is that contrary to most European or American weddings, those shoots are never on the day of the ‘actual’ wedding. Decked out in their often ill-fitting rental dresses or suits for the grooms, dirty grey from repeated usage, schlepping around in Crocs or flip flops, make-up applied
They graciously pose for posterity that day but are really wed in a traditional red Qipao either later or prior. Those pictures are destined to shine for all of eternity framed on the wall or on top of the TV, presenting their princess for a day with the souvenir of THAT moment, before the kid and anything else, where they looked great and in a wonderful fantasy dress.
Not all of them are beautiful, true, but they are poignant in their desire to shine and joy inmodelling for one and all- that special day.
Happy, in love, hopeful, and radiant, safety pins in the back, uncomfortable shoes and all, they are so gracious and lovely. All of them.
Beautiful Brides…. I love you.
Your Biggest Fan (Gabrielle)
The Belle du Jour. Simply lovely.
Identical rental for the boys, big puffy dresses for the girls.
The Meringue.... So Sweet teeth hurt
The Spanish doll - Big and red.
The Traditional Qipao with a twist.
and then.... Barbie à Vegas » where all bets are off!
Queen of the day.
Lovely, radiant, happy, loved.
I am their biggest fan.
Gabrielle.
Quiz:
5 brides are hiding in this picture. Can you find them?