A brief history of the chinese wedding cheongsam

1. A brief history of the Chinese wedding Cheongsam There is something very magical and mystical about a wedding. Right from the bride, groom, wedding preparations, wedding dresses for the bride and groom, flowers etc. The entire process is a really magnificent one. A wedding in Chinese tradition calls for elaborate preparations and it is excitement and frenzy all the way. The whole extended family attends these weddings and the legacy of the family is carried forward. There are so many rituals and customs that make up for the real essence of a traditional Chinese wedding, which have a fascinating history blended into them. Like in any wedding and culture, the bride and her wedding dress take centre stage. Traditional Chinese wedding dress for the brides is called a Cheongsam or Qipao. The Chinese wedding cheongsam is famous for its intricate, artistic and antique embroidery. The ancient customs have had a very prominent impact on the wedding dresses and it is still reflected even in the modern era. These dresses are predominantly in red and white colour. Red colour signifies love and prosperity and it is the base colour for the wedding dresses. The flowers, candles, ribbons etc. are all in red colour. Colours like black, grey and blue are avoided in the dresses as it is believed that they may bring sorrow. History: The Chinese wedding cheongsam dates back to the Qing dynasty. It is a characteristic one piece dress, worn by women. The cheongsam has its origins from the Manchu tribe. Originally, the qipao or cheongsam was a loose fitting dress with a straight cut, which hung loosely on the body. Over time, many changes have occurred and made the qipao more body hugging, with a straight cut and high neck and collar. Modernisation & Growing Popularity:

2. It is the city of Shanghai that is believed to be the place where the modern cheongsam took its roots in the early 1920’s. The women of the elite and high class societies, got the traditional qipao stitched to perfection, accentuating the figure, with a great influence from western culture. Gradually, many variations in fabrics and cuts were introduced in the cheongsam by the socialites and upper class women, which started a revolution in the fashion industry. There was period when the qipao was stitched in many styles and variations like high cut, low cut, short length, straight collar, no collar, slits on the sides etc. It was a fashion statement in different

3. forms. Generally, the fabric used to make the Cheongsam is silk, linen, cotton or satin brocade. The actual features of a qipao or Cheongsam include the mandarin collar, hemmed slits on both the sides, knotted buttons, a fitted waist and an overall tailored fit. Now the Cheongsam has gained immense popularity as a dress for special occasions like weddings, where the bride wears the traditional wedding cheongsam and many other women wearing it for

4. special occasions. Fashion designers and others are heavily influenced by the elegance and charm of a Cheongsam and has now become a dress in vogue. Wedding dress designs: All the wedding cheongsams come in red colour with exclusive, exquisite embroidery patterns in thread work in gold and silver. The embroidery is done by skilled and artistic craftsmen who create unique masterpieces. A combination of dragon and phoenix designs are woven on these dresses, displaying the vibrant Chinese cultural heritage. Conclusion: Modern trends and traditional aesthetics are being blended to create a fashion statement, making each cheongsam a unique, designer and coveted garment of choice by the bride for a wedding. They reflect the rich ancient Chinese culture and delicate workmanship.