logo
How the qipao found favour as a film mood-setter and red-carpet favourite

How the qipao found favour as a film mood-setter and red-carpet favourite

It's officially awards season – and almost Lunar New Year – which means we're about to be treated to a slew of exquisite fashion moments as celebrities walk the red carpet in designer looks. In years past, qipao-inspired dresses have had their moment in the limelight as a series of actresses, singers and media personalities have donned outfits drawing on the traditional Chinese dress for major international events, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Met Gala, New York.
The qipao, also known as the cheongsam – meaning 'long garment' – is distinctive for its mandarin collar, curve-hugging bodice and thigh-high skirt slit. The silhouette was dominant in the 1920s and 30s and has since become synonymous with conventional Chinese beauty and style. It has often been used as a visual cue to capture a certain aesthetic in cinematic masterpieces, including The World of Suzie Wong and Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love . Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung in Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love. Photo: Handout
Though traditionally made with simple, knotted button fastenings on one side of the lapel, modern iterations of the qipao incorporate an array of contemporary individual elements to create designs that feel fresh and current on today's fashion scene. Examples from Chinese designers and brands forging a path in global fashion – such as Guo Pei and Shiatzy Chen – are sometimes photographed on the world's swankiest red carpets. A modern qipao-inspired outfit by Shiatzy Chen. Photo: Handout
For years, qipao-inspired dresses were the go-to choice for Chinese actresses making their first forays into the world film scene at major festivals, including those of Cannes and Venice.
Actresses such as Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing and Gong Li have worn elaborate interpretations of these dresses on the international stage, garnering both good and bad reviews. While a recognisable part of Chinese culture, overly embellished versions can risk looking like costumes when not executed with precision. Movie idols Tony Leung and Gong Li arrive for the screening of 2046 at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004. Photo: AP
At the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, actress Gong Li walked the red carpet with Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi in a green-blue dress featuring a cloud print often found in traditional Chinese art and a silhouette heavily influenced by the qipao. The garment featured many of the design elements of the traditional long dress, but was given a touch of sex appeal with an open neckline. Taylor Swift wears a Chinese-inspired Zuhair Murad gown at the 2012 Grammys.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Fine and dandy: how luxury houses are embracing a return to refined accoutrements, from British labels Dunhill and Purdey, to Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee
Fine and dandy: how luxury houses are embracing a return to refined accoutrements, from British labels Dunhill and Purdey, to Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee

South China Morning Post

time4 days ago

  • South China Morning Post

Fine and dandy: how luxury houses are embracing a return to refined accoutrements, from British labels Dunhill and Purdey, to Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee

At this year's Met Gala , an unexpected accessory emerged as the evening's quiet stand-out: the walking stick. Alongside jewel-handled umbrellas, watch fobs and even an ornate monocle, these gentlemanly flourishes added a sense of old-world formality to the event's 'Tailored for You' dress code, a tribute to the tradition of Black dandyism. A$AP Rocky at the Met Gala with a custom Briony Raymond silver umbrella, set with 90 carats of diamonds. Photo: AFP Advertisement Met Gala co-chair A$AP Rocky carried a custom silver umbrella by New York jeweller Briony Raymond, set with 90 carats' worth of diamonds and with a handle shaped like a revolver (likely a nod to Rocky's recent acquittal on gun charges, as well as a reference to Umbrella, the 2007 hit by his partner Rihanna ). Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan was dressed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, his look made complete with this Bengal Tiger Head cane. Photo: Invision/AP For Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee , who dressed Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan for the evening, the cane wasn't just an accessory – it was central to the look. 'Shah Rukh Khan is such an important star and often wears very simple, tailored clothing. As an icon, you don't want to detract from the public image that already exists,' said Mukherjee. ' Stars like Shah Rukh Khan don't need to be dressed in a costume – they're so big that they just need to be presented as themselves.' Khan's cane, designed for the event, was inspired by the regal traditions of the historic region of the subcontinent called Bengal. 'I also wanted to evoke the image of Bengal's nobility, who carried walking sticks often adorned with bejewelled heads of tigers, elephants and lions,' said Mukherjee. 'Depending on one's status, the heads were cast in silver or gold, and for the wealthiest, entirely encrusted with gemstones.' The Sabyasachi Bengal Tiger Head cane. Photo: Handout Mukherjee's creation was a tour de force of craftsmanship: a Bengal tiger's head cast in 18k gold, its eyes of blue sapphire, its tongue carved from pink tourmaline, and the head adorned with pastel sapphires and old mine-cut diamonds. 'The Sabyasachi Bengal Tiger Head cane is a homage to Calcutta's goldsmithing heritage, with a nod to the colonial influence of British carpentry, creating a look that is global yet rooted in the soul and traditions of India,' he said. For Mukherjee, such meticulous detail signals a broader shift towards classic elegance. 'The internet has made us incredibly lazy,' he notes. 'We are no longer as well put together, as everything is taken too casually. Dressing up is important because it instils a sense of formality and discipline. I think the world could use a reminder of standards and the importance of holding oneself to them. The act of dressing up shows effort, and that's refreshing to see in fashion.'

Zheng ousted by Sabalenka in French Open
Zheng ousted by Sabalenka in French Open

RTHK

time6 days ago

  • RTHK

Zheng ousted by Sabalenka in French Open

Zheng ousted by Sabalenka in French Open Zheng Qinwen of China falls in straight sets against Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open quarterfinals. Photo: Reuters World number one Aryna Sabalenka ended Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen's winning streak on the Paris clay with a straight-sets victory on Tuesday to seal herself a spot in the French Open semifinals. Sabalenka next faces three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek of Poland who posted a straight-sets victory over 13th seed Elina Svitolina. The top seed from Belarus won through 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 against the Chinese eighth seed in just under two hours on Court Philippe Chatrier. The 27-year-old fought back after struggling in the first set against Zheng, who had beaten her in the last eight on clay in Rome last month, extending her record against the Chinese player to 7-1. "The last tournament I was pretty exhausted," said Sabalenka. "Today I was more fresh I was ready to battle, to fight and give everything. "Honestly, I was actually glad that I lost that match because I needed a little break before Roland Garros." Zheng broke and led 4-2 in the first set. But numerous unforced errors – 31 in total – allowed the Belarusian to come back. The second set was also tight before Sabalenka broke back to lead 4-3, taking advantage of her opponent's errors. Sabalenka converted her first match point on a poorly-controlled drop-shot from Zheng to reach her seventh semifinal of the season. In another quarterfinal, Swiatek bested the former world number three Svitolina of Ukraine 6-1, 7-5 in just over 90 minutes to continue her bid to equal a 102-year record by winning four successive French Open titles. (AFP)

HK Post puts happy stamp on five themed sets
HK Post puts happy stamp on five themed sets

RTHK

time6 days ago

  • RTHK

HK Post puts happy stamp on five themed sets

HK Post puts happy stamp on five themed sets One of the five sets features the panda cub twins. Photo courtesy of Hongkong Post Hongkong Post has unveiled five themed sets of stamps for release between July and December, with each featuring elements of the city's unique cultural identity from cute pandas and its unique skyline to the storied aviation industry. At the top of the shopping list for many is "Giant Panda Twin Cubs", which features Hong Kong's very own Jia Jia and De De. Also popular will be "Hong Kong Hiking Trails Series No 3: Wilson Trail", which offers 10 scenic views of one of the most distinct and challenging hikes, coming in at 78 kilometres from Stanley to Nam Chung. "Aviation Development in Hong Kong" is a set of four stamps showcasing the airport over the decades, from its relocation from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok to its runway development. The "24 Solar Terms – Autumn" series features designs based on the Chinese calendar and marks the "change of seasons and meteorological patterns," particularly the six solar terms of transition into the cooler months. "Christmas Stamps V" uses the iconic Victoria Harbour silhouette to embrace Hong Kong's multicultural identity, with night views serving as the background and Christmas elements adorning the skyline. These stamps are available for orders at More details can be found on the Hong Kong Stamps FaceBook page at or at its website.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store