Prof Tommy Tse, Associate Professor from the Media Studies Department at the University of Amsterdam, recently presented a thought-provoking talk as part of the Media, Culture and Creative Cities Speaker Series at the Department of Sociology, The University of Hong Kong. Prof Tse, a specialist in media and cultural industries, shared insights from his research project titled “China Fashion Power – Fashioning Power through South-South Interaction: Re-thinking Creativity, Authenticity, Cultural Mediation and Consumer Agency along China-Africa Fashion Value Chains”.

Supported by the European Research Council’s Consolidator Grant, Prof Tse’s research challenges the traditional "Eurocentric" perspective on cultural production. By focusing on China-Africa fashion value chains, he re-evaluates concepts such as creativity, authenticity, cultural mediation, and consumer agency through a Global South lens, disrupting the North-South binary.

Prof Tse’s talk delved deeply into the significance of re-assessing the theoretical North-South divide. By examining concepts such as creativity, authenticity, cultural mediation, and consumer agency, he highlighted how these elements operate along the China-Africa fashion value chains. His research offers a fresh perspective on the global fashion industry, moving away from the dominant narratives shaped by the Global North.

During the talk, Prof Tse discussed the diverse methodologies employed in his research. These included ethnography, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, visual and semiotic analysis, and wardrobe archival study. By integrating these methods, he provided a holistic view of the fashion value chains and the intricate cultural exchanges between China and Africa.

One of the most engaging aspects of Prof Tse’s presentation was his sharing of ethnographic stories and personal accounts from his fieldwork in Kenya and Mozambique. These stories vividly illustrated the multi-layered nature of authenticity, originality, and creativity in the fashion industries of these regions. Through these examples, he underscored the complex and dynamic interactions that shape the fashion landscape across the Global South.

The Media, Culture and Creative Cities Speaker Series continues to serve as a platform for leading industry figures and academics to share their insights on the transformative roles of media, culture, and creativity in society. Prof Tse’s talk not only provided valuable academic insights but also encouraged a rethinking of traditional cultural paradigms in a global context.

The Department of Sociology at The University of Hong Kong remains committed to fostering critical dialogue and expanding understanding through such impactful sessions, inviting esteemed speakers like Prof Tommy Tse to challenge and enrich our perspectives on contemporary social issue.