Wedding ensemble

This ensemble was made to measure for Mary Chan (1907–1995), for her wedding in Beijing in 1925. According to the family, her father invited a renowned female embroiderer to choose the gold and silver threads and make this set. Each garment features a majestic peacock on both the front and back. The basic concept of a jacket opening to the side and worn over a long skirt derives from the Qing dynasty aoqun (jacket and skirt). In the early Republican period, silhouettes became narrower and blouses shorter. This set reflects the 1920s-fashion for bell-shaped, three-quarter sleeves and rounded hems.