Zijun & Yanan’s Playground
SHAMATE 杀马特
2023
A Visual and Social Exploration of China’s Shamate Subculture
This project is an encyclopedia-style book that documents the overlooked Shamate subculture—a working-class youth movement in China that emerged in the early 2000s. Often misunderstood and marginalized, Shamate fashion is a radical blend of Gothic, Visual Kei, and cyberpunk aesthetics, serving as both a form of self-expression and a response to social displacement.
Through interviews and research, this book sheds light on the personal stories behind the exaggerated hairstyles, bold makeup, and vibrant clothing. The design mirrors the spirit of Shamate—its pages are saturated with rich colors and dynamic edge treatments, reflecting the subculture’s rebellious and theatrical nature. By blending visual storytelling with sociological inquiry, this work invites deeper discourse on identity, class, and the right to self-representation in contemporary China.
by Zijun