Living: Paris Fashions Go to Peking

With Cardin 's couture, a Great Leap Sexward

Sex is not something they talk about openly in China. Nor do they dress with it in mind. The country's slim, trim women wear no perfume, jewelry, nail polish, or shadow on their almond eyes; for the most part, they march around in the same austere white shirts, shapeless blue pants and sandals as the menfolk. While early marriage is discouraged (men are urged to wait until they are at least 28, women 25), the People's Republic frowns equally on premarital amour, and the unappetizing national costume seems designed to defuse dalliance.

But wait! Things...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!