This gorgeous (free) qipao exhibit is full of Old Shanghai vibes

Photographs: Annabelle Chan

The old Shanghai glamour feels are strong inside the Shanghai History Museum’s newly opened exhibit, Luminizing and Elegance: Qipaos in Shanghai. The exhibit itself is a walk-through of modern fashion history, showing off a collection of over 70 vintage dresses all donated by Wang Shuizhong, a collector from Taiwan who wanted to return them to the place where they originated.

The qipao was popularised in Shanghai in the 1920s and soon became more than just a piece of clothing; it was a label of open-mindedness and femininity for many women at the time. There’s a wide variety of dresses on display, from indanthrone blue to silky floral patterns, and plenty of different cuts and styles.

The exhibit is dotted with portraits of film stars and famous Shanghai women who helped catapult the qipao trend into the mainstream and popularised different prints and designs. A short film with English subtitles tells the story of how the qipao continues to be a symbol of Shanghai even today.

The exhibit also does a good job laying out the garment's history: the dress first appeared in China during the Qing Dynasty (1664-1912) and is thought to be a mash-up of both Manchu and Han culture. Qipao have a large front lapel opening and a standup collar, much like a Manchu robe. Han women at the time usually wore skirts, and the clash of the two cultures resulted in the qipao – a one-piece high-collared dress with a slit.

Although it’s not a huge exhibition, it is a rare chance to view a collection of this classic cultural symbol, dating all the way back to the mid-Qing. Plus there's much more to see at the museum, which houses more than a thousand cultural relics. Perhaps the best part is that the museum and the exhibit itself are both completely free. A feast for the eyes and the mind, history buffs can make a day of it.

📍Luminizing and Elegance: Qipaos in Shanghai, Shanghai History Museum, 325 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Jiujiang Lu. Until October 16 (closed Mondays). Free.

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