Hong Kong Design Centre

Supporting Event - Succeeding The Grace – Hong Kong Cheongsam Exhibition

Hong Kong-style cheongsam is one of the most representative traditional Chinese female dress forms. It reflects the evolution of the traditional craftsmanship in its long history. The exhibition working team analysed and consolidated the characteristics of traditional Hong Kong-style cheongsam, and further investigated into its craftsmanship and modelling. The team studied the measurements, structures, and craftsmanship of 58 pieces of clothing in the THEi cheongsam collection. Secondly, the study examined and inductively depicted the development and stylistic changes of cheongsam in Hong Kong: from two-dimensional to three-dimensional modelling, from whole panel to divided panel cutting, from complicated to simpler craftsmanship, from hand-sewn to predominantly machine-made, from bespoke tailoring to mass-production. Lastly, the research further investigated the meaning of cheongsam to the wearer.