Today I came across some amazing photos from China in the 1920s and 1930s. The curator of these photos, Vincent Messelier-Gouze, says:
“In 1919, my 18-year-old grandfather, Louis-Philippe Messelier, left his hometown in France for China. Living in Shanghai, he juggled his career in the wool trade with his photography as a journalist for the French Journal of Shanghai.”
Here are some of my favourites:
It’s fascinating to see real photos from a time when China was not as westernised as it is today. Make sure you check out the full post for more!
I still can’t get over how Japanese those women look in the first photo. Hair, makeup and kimono… I really thought those designs were typically Japanese. The obi belt tied around the waist and the print material of the kimono and the distinctive long sleeves. I guess Japan really borrowed much more of Chinese culture than I was aware!