APEC fashion mystery
Source: Agencies |
November 11, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
HEADS of state posing for photos in the traditional attire of the host nation represent one of the most distinct and memorable attributes of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held each year.
In Chile, presidents and prime ministers donned flowing ponchos. In Vietnam, it was silk tunics.
This year, 21 leaders are gathering in Honolulu, inspiring visions of Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama in aloha shirts. But it's not clear if APEC leaders will observe the custom this time as the White House remains mum on the issue.
The attire has been the subject of great speculation in Hawaii as locals are anxious to see if world leaders will celebrate a unique Hawaii tradition. Colorful and floral aloha shirts aren't just standard wear for both work and play in Hawaii - they're a symbol of the state's rich multicultural history.
Obama himself stoked speculation when he announced two years ago that he would host the 2011 meeting in the city of his birth. The two-day event starts on Saturday, and most of the world leaders begin arriving yesterday.
"I look forward to seeing you all decked out in flowered shirts and grass skirts," he told his counterparts, who that year wore red or blue-gray silk tunic shirts with mandarin collars in Singapore.
The White House hasn't disclosed what it plans to ask delegates to wear for Sunday's group photo.
It would seem like a golden and rare opportunity for the conference to grab the attention of people around the world and for tourism-dependent Hawaii to market itself.
But last year, the host nation Japan skipped the ritual for the first time. Officials cited a tight schedule, and said tight-fitting traditional kimonos might not be suitable for a photo session. The leaders instead wore jackets, slacks, and shirts without neckties.
DeSoto Brown, historian and co-author of the book "The Art of the Aloha Shirt," said it would be disappointing if APEC leaders didn't wear Hawaii's signature garb at the meeting. Brown said he could see that some people might view aloha shirts as not serious or businesslike because they're often associated with people being on vacation. But he noted that in Hawaii, they're worn everyday by high-level businessmen.
"Aloha shirts are truly from Hawaii. They were invented here, and are known worldwide," Brown said.
He added: "And since President Obama is from Hawaii, it would be even more appropriate that everyone at APEC should have their photo taken wearing what he is already very familiar with."
The APEC tradition began in 1993, when US President Bill Clinton handed out bomber jackets for leaders to wear in their commemorative group photo in Seattle.
In Chile, presidents and prime ministers donned flowing ponchos. In Vietnam, it was silk tunics.
This year, 21 leaders are gathering in Honolulu, inspiring visions of Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama in aloha shirts. But it's not clear if APEC leaders will observe the custom this time as the White House remains mum on the issue.
The attire has been the subject of great speculation in Hawaii as locals are anxious to see if world leaders will celebrate a unique Hawaii tradition. Colorful and floral aloha shirts aren't just standard wear for both work and play in Hawaii - they're a symbol of the state's rich multicultural history.
Obama himself stoked speculation when he announced two years ago that he would host the 2011 meeting in the city of his birth. The two-day event starts on Saturday, and most of the world leaders begin arriving yesterday.
"I look forward to seeing you all decked out in flowered shirts and grass skirts," he told his counterparts, who that year wore red or blue-gray silk tunic shirts with mandarin collars in Singapore.
The White House hasn't disclosed what it plans to ask delegates to wear for Sunday's group photo.
It would seem like a golden and rare opportunity for the conference to grab the attention of people around the world and for tourism-dependent Hawaii to market itself.
But last year, the host nation Japan skipped the ritual for the first time. Officials cited a tight schedule, and said tight-fitting traditional kimonos might not be suitable for a photo session. The leaders instead wore jackets, slacks, and shirts without neckties.
DeSoto Brown, historian and co-author of the book "The Art of the Aloha Shirt," said it would be disappointing if APEC leaders didn't wear Hawaii's signature garb at the meeting. Brown said he could see that some people might view aloha shirts as not serious or businesslike because they're often associated with people being on vacation. But he noted that in Hawaii, they're worn everyday by high-level businessmen.
"Aloha shirts are truly from Hawaii. They were invented here, and are known worldwide," Brown said.
He added: "And since President Obama is from Hawaii, it would be even more appropriate that everyone at APEC should have their photo taken wearing what he is already very familiar with."
The APEC tradition began in 1993, when US President Bill Clinton handed out bomber jackets for leaders to wear in their commemorative group photo in Seattle.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
