Designer's new collection puts spotlight on qipao

A symbol of oriental femininity and elegance, qipao is a figure-hugging dress with a standing collar, an asymmetric left-over-right opening, and two-side slits. The pankou-style knot buttons are also an essential part of the dress.

Qipao first emerged in the 1920s as a loose-fitting dress like the one-piece gowns that men wore, popular among young feminists. It was around the 1930s that the dress was tailored to accentuate women's curves, making it a must-have outfit among fashion-savvy women in Shanghai, which was considered the fashion capital of the nation.