Assignment

1) Although “foot binding” is now illegal in China, for centuries this practice was considered beautiful and desirable.  The Textile Research Center in Leiden, Netherlands has an excellent online exhibit with historical examples of shoes for bound feet: 
Please review the exhibit with these questions in mind:
– What kind of person was most likely to have this body modification?  What did it say about that person’s age, gender, social class, etc…?
– Although you might personally think foot binding is disturbing, try to imagine yourself living in that place and time period… why do you think it was considered beautiful?
– Can you think of examples today of how people “suffer for beauty,” but we still admire the end result?
Please write 200-300 words and upload your writing to Canvas.
2) For this assignment you will need to use the Berg Fashion Library.  You can access this for free through IUCAT.  Here are the steps:
1. Go the website for IU Libraries: 
2. Click on the red button in the upper-right corner that says “IUCAT”
3. Search the library catalogue for “Berg Fashion Library”
4. Click on the first link (Berg Fashion Library)
5. Click on the link that says ” ”
6. Search for “Tooth Staining in the Philippines” (the author of this article is Analyn V. Salvador-Amores).
Please read the article and then write 200-300 words about it.  Here are some suggested topics:
– Why was tooth staining once considered beautiful in Southeast Asia?  What did it say about your age, gender, social status, skill, etc…?
– Although this practice has not completely disappeared, many young people now consider tooth staining to be only for ‘old people.’  The author doesn’t completely explain why, but what do you think has changed?