Innovative Paths for Song Dynasty Clothing: Velvet Flower Headpieces as Cultural Media in Narrative Design
Tao JIANG, Yang LI, Yu ZHANG, Chen YANG, Luowen YU
Article
2026 / Volume 9 / Pages 5053-5081
Published 27 April 2026
Abstract
This study explores the integration of traditional cultural elements into modern fashion design through the reinterpretation of velvet flower headpieces, a key element from Song Dynasty attire. A "Cultural Meaning-Emotional Narrative-Visual Reinterpretation" triple design logic model was developed, which was tested through design practice and validated by a user survey (N=200), demonstrating a cultural retention rate of 65.8%. Expert evaluations confirmed the balance between cultural preservation and modern relevance in the design, specifically in how emotional design and visual transformation helped retain the cultural values of the velvet flower headpiece. This research also delves into the aesthetic features of Song Dynasty clothing, the symbolic role of velvet flowers, and the application of narrative design to heritage fashion. Traditional motifs such as peony patterns and colour schemes were effectively translated into contemporary fashion, reinforcing their relevance. The paper identifies a gap in the literature regarding the visual narrative transformation of intangible cultural heritage and proposes directions for future research to broaden participant scope and promote wider cultural and commercial applications.
Keywords
narrative design, intangible cultural heritage, Song Dynasty clothing, velvet flower headpieces, cultural translation, emotional design