Babette Radclyffe-Thomas

4th Year BA Chinese (Modern)

Decoding the Chinese dragon robe from imperial workshop to Leeds archive

Dragon robes once reserved for the imperial dynasties of china now grace the walls of art galleries and serve as inspiration for international fashion designers. Using the Leeds ULITA collection as a starting point my research presentation traces the history of Chinese dragon robes, explaining the significance of their exquisite visual imagery and their importance as a signifier of social status. I also include evidence of how these robes continue to influence contemporary design. I present the path of my research journey and include tips for budding researchers