From Shanghai to Brussels: One Hundred Years of Qipao History

27/04/2018

In the 21^st century, inspired by the “One Belt One Road Initiative”, the iconic Chinese dresses, referred to as the qipao, have been listed as China’s intangible cultural heritage and have been exhibited all around the world. From April 27^th, 2018 until May 18^th, 2018, the China Cultural Center in Brussels is hosting the exhibition “From Shanghai to Brussels: One Hundred Years of Qipao History”, featuring a range of qipao gowns, old photographs and traditional illustrated calendars.

In the mid 19^th century, alongside the opening up of Shanghai and its economic expansion, the city’s social life, idea of culture and its conception of beauty all underwent great changes. It is in that social climate that the qipao was designed, and became the iconic national garment of Chinese women during the 20^th century. The traditional wide Manchu robes gradually evolved into modern urban dresses, named the qipao. The product life cycle curve of the style: its birth, the growth and decline of its popularity, as well as its revival, not only represent the changing fashion sense of Chinese women throughout the 20^th century, but also reflect the collision and fusion of the fashion of the East with influences from the West. Our newest exhibition “From Shanghai to Brussels: One Hundred Years of Qipao History” will show you around the colourful Shanghai qipao fashion throughout all the decades of the 20^th century.

In order to better understand the story behind the qipao, two lectures will be given at the China Cultural Center in Brussels on April 27th. The first lecture will be focused on “The History of the Qipao” and the second one on “The Contemporary Aesthetic Appreciation of Traditional Qipao”.

Exhibition

“From Shanghai to Brussels: One Hundred Years of Qipao History”
April 27^th, 2018 – May 18^th, 2018
Open Monday to Friday according to the opening hours of the Center
Closed on May 1^st and May 10^th

Sponsored by

Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Belgium

Hosted by

China Cultural Center in Brussels
Shanghai Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation Association

Organised by

Shanghai Hanart Clothing Co., Ltd.
Shanghai Circuit Culture Development Co., Ltd.

The program is subject to change. Follow our Facebook page to stay tuned!