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Nellie Chu

Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Duke Kunshan University
DKU Faculty

Selected Presentations & Appearances


Fast Fashion, Migrant Labor, and Urban Villages in Southern China ยท May 2023 Interview Center for Modern East Asian Studies, Univerity of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany

n this interview Nellie Chu elaborates on the interplay between the fast fashion industry, urban villages, and migrant labor in Southern China. The discussion provides a comprehensive examination of the post-socialist transformations in China, shedding light on the unique labor practices, land dynamics, and personhood transformations that shape the global supply chains of fast fashion. Through an exploration of urban villages as key facilitators of low-cost manufacturing and entrepreneurial ventures, the interview offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of labor and production in the region. This academic perspective opens new avenues for understanding the complexities of the fast fashion industry and its socio-economic impact on Chinese society. Moreover, the interview explores the influence of key factors like the Covid-19 pandemic and digital media on the evolving dynamics of labor and production in this context.

Academic & Administrative Activities


Editorial Board Member, Cultural Anthropology 2022- 2026