Qipao is a body-hugging one-piece Chinese dress for women, also known as Cheongsam. The original Qipao was wide and loose. It covered most of the woman’s body, revealing only the head, hands, and the tips of the toes.
The modern version, which is now recognized popularly in China as the “standard” Qipao, was first developed in Shanghai in the 1920s. Slender and form fitting with a high cut, it had great differences from the traditional qipao. It was high-class courtesans and celebrities in the city that would make these redesigned tight fitting qipao popular at that time. Morden Qipao is worn with stockings, pantyhose and high heels. The formerly purely utilitarian side slits were repurposed into aesthetic elements to highlight the new fashion.
It’s a great pleasure to create this Qipao photo set at the beginning of the Chinese New Year of 2018! I enjoyed revealing my sheer nylon hose covered legs through the side slit of this beautiful dress!
Happy Chinese New Year! 恭喜发财！阖家安康！
