Cheongsam is one of traditional apparels in China, mirroring the long-standing essence of the Chinese culture. The making technique has been inscribed into The National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2021. To promote cheongsam as a timeless fashion classic, Hong Kong Design Institute’s Fashion Archive holds “An Alluring Inheritance of Beauty: Chinese Cheongsam,” showcasing designs from the China National Silk Museum, Mr. Yan Ka-man, a Hong Kong traditional Shanghai-style cheongsam master tailor, contemporary fashion designers, celebrities, and students. Some of the century-old exhibits from the China National Silk Museum are displayed in digital format unprecedentedly. The exhibition also features nostalgic dioramas, as well as providing cheongsams for the public to try on and charmed by classic beauty.
Not only does cheongsam’s unique craftsmanship demonstrate the elegance of Asian women but it’s also sought after by various generations of designers. The exhibition showcases over 40 historical and contemporary designs for the public to take a closer look. It fathoms the historical narratives and hidden emotions within and dissect the wisdom of tradition and aesthetics of fashion, as well as the exquisite craftsmanship. The audience will embark on a journey of cheongsam that traces the past and reflects the present.
About Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI)
Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) is a member of VTC Group. HKDI was established in 2007 with the mission to be a leading provider of design education and lifelong learning, including architecture, interior and product design, communication design, digital media and fashion and image design. With a view to providing professional designers for the creative industries, it promotes the “think and do” approach and encourages interdisciplinary synergy in its broad range of design programmes that cultivate students’ cultural sensitivities and sense of sustainability. HKDI maintains a strong network with industry and provides its students with essential practical experience.
About Hong Kong Design Institute Fashion Archive
Hong Kong Design Institute Fashion Archive is a pioneering and interactive fashion resource lab connecting local and international fashion industry and design professionals, facilitating partnerships and alliances between academia and industry. Housing over 1,500 fashion items sourced around the world, it provides wide-ranging real-life fashion resources contributing to teaching and learning and applied research. The access to iconoclastic fashion items through its physical and digital archiving system helps enhance visitors’ understanding in fashion design, culture and history.