This is a red cheongsam with leaf motifs all over with black lining. It is cut in at the shoulders and has a fitted waist, a style popular in the 1950s and 1960s. This knee length piece belonged to Madam Low Hong Lan, which was worn for the tea ceremony at her wedding. The cheongsam is a ubiquitous Chinese dress that first gained popularity in the early 20th century and was an essential part of a typical woman’s wardrobe. It has its origins in the originally long robes worn by Manchu women of the Qing Dynasty. The cheongsam is usually bespoked to ensure a fitted silhouette and its other distinctive features include a high collar, side slits at the hem and a decorative knot and loop fastener for the collar or shoulder flap, called the ‘hua niu’.
