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The QIPAO

Name:       Qipao (cheongsam)               Place:  China

 

Origin:       Qing Dynasty (17th century)    Materials:    Cotton, Silk                                                                           

Occasion:         Everyday / Events (weedings, births, ...)

    The story began with the ''Qiren'', the banner people of Mandchou. The Qipao was worn only by the women of their a social class in China. That was due to the inegality of the period.

   

It is a dress made with only one-piece of fabric and has a little collar open in the front. The dress was long, wide, with sleeves. Nothing as sensual as we can see today. So it was worn by all the women whatever their form.

 

   The modern style of the Qipao was created in Shanghai in the 1920's and is the one known by everybody today. That change was gradual. First it became short to help walking and climbing stairs.

 

    After they added indentation on the left of the neck and sides lunges to flatter women's body. And it continue changing. It is wear today during event like Weedings. But the Qipao kept anyway the style of the collar and the chinese button at the top of the dress.

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