This sleeveless black cheongsam is an excellent example of cultural fusion. The garment is made from batik, a traditional fabric used to make the Malay sarong. It has a nipped in waist which was popular in the 1950s. This belonged to Datin Aw Cheng Hu. Born in 1914, she was the daughter of Mr Aw Boon Par. She wore this cheongsam when she was in her late 40s and 50s. Datin Aw would personally select her fabrics from Modern Silk Store and Chotirmall along High Street, Singapore, before sending them to Shanghainese tailors who were sought after for their cheongsam making skills.
