Qipao
1950s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Large, open daisy heads, one above the other, adorn the central front of this neon-orange qipao, machine-embroidered in rayon threads with white petals and black centres. Using machines for embroidery was an emerging industry in Hong Kong during the 1950s, when hand-embroidery was the norm, undertaken mostly by skilled migrants from mainland China. This garment is made from a blend of viscose rayon and natural cotton. Its vivid hue and bold pattern would have made it stand out at a time when most qipao were quite subdued.
This qipao features an innovative cut that moves away from the traditional asymmetric opening. It fastens high on the right shoulder, with closely spaced press-studs that follow the curve of the armhole and continue under the arm, where there is a concealed zip-fastener in the side seam. This new type of cut creates an uninterrupted surface, ideally suited for the bold, machine-embroidered pattern.
This qipao features an innovative cut that moves away from the traditional asymmetric opening. It fastens high on the right shoulder, with closely spaced press-studs that follow the curve of the armhole and continue under the arm, where there is a concealed zip-fastener in the side seam. This new type of cut creates an uninterrupted surface, ideally suited for the bold, machine-embroidered pattern.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Plain-weave, viscose rayon and cotton blend; machine-embroidery in rayon threads |
| Brief description | Dress for a woman (qipao), plain-weave viscose rayon-cotton blend; machine-embroidery in rayon threads, Hong Kong, 1950s |
| Physical description | This orange qipao (or cheongsam in Cantonese) is made from viscose rayon and cotton blend fabric. The front panel has been machine embroidered with large, open daisy heads, one above the other, with white petals and black centres. There is a black, bias-cut, piping around the sleeve ends, hem and top edge of the collar. The garment is calf-length with short slits at the sides. It has short sleeves, a stand-up and stiffened collar, a press-stud fastening in the upper seam of the right shoulder and a hidden zip in the side seam. It is lined throughout with a lightweight orange plain weave silk lining. There is a black, bias-cut, piping around the sleeve ends, hem and top edge of the collar. There are bust darts at the front and waist darts at back and front. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Richard A. and Janey M.Y. Cheu, in memory of Dr Henry D. Cheu |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Large, open daisy heads, one above the other, adorn the central front of this neon-orange qipao, machine-embroidered in rayon threads with white petals and black centres. Using machines for embroidery was an emerging industry in Hong Kong during the 1950s, when hand-embroidery was the norm, undertaken mostly by skilled migrants from mainland China. This garment is made from a blend of viscose rayon and natural cotton. Its vivid hue and bold pattern would have made it stand out at a time when most qipao were quite subdued. This qipao features an innovative cut that moves away from the traditional asymmetric opening. It fastens high on the right shoulder, with closely spaced press-studs that follow the curve of the armhole and continue under the arm, where there is a concealed zip-fastener in the side seam. This new type of cut creates an uninterrupted surface, ideally suited for the bold, machine-embroidered pattern. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.53-1997 |
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| Record created | January 13, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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