Chinese brides in the Western world often choose to wear a qipao, or cheongsam, on their wedding day. This traditional Chinese dress features a body-hugging silhouette, a sleek mandarin collar, and intricate silk embroidery with symbols such as dragons, phoenixes, peonies, and butterflies. The qipao is a visually striking garment that enhances the beauty of the wearer. A famous example of the qipao’s elegance can be seen in Maggie Cheung’s portrayal in Wong Kar Wai’s film “In The Mood For Love.”
Many Chinese American brides incorporate the qipao into their wedding celebrations, particularly during the tea ceremony where the bride and groom serve tea to their families. The qipao chosen for this occasion is typically vibrant red, symbolizing happiness, prosperity, and good luck in Chinese culture.
However, finding a modern qipao that meets the preferences of brides in the U.S. can be challenging. Jenn Qiao, a bride from Southern California, experienced this firsthand when searching for a qipao for her wedding. Local stores in Chinatown offered only traditional options with limited selection and language barriers. Online websites selling wedding qipaos had poor quality and customer service. Inspired by this frustration, Qiao and her best friend Vivian Chan launched their own brand, East Meets Dress, to provide modern Chinese qipaos for brides. They also offer modern Vietnamese wedding dresses (áo dài) and suits for men, aiming to represent and include more Asian American culture in the wedding industry while ensuring high-quality craftsmanship and modern design.
This trend of modernizing traditional designs for diaspora communities is growing among Asian American-owned businesses and designers. Dawang, a New York-based streetwear company, sells qipao-inspired crop tops and mini dresses. Vietnamese American fashion designer Thai Nguyen creates custom-made áo dàis suitable for weddings and red carpet events. Actresses like Kelly Marie Tran have showcased his designs, including wearing one of his áo dàis to the Oscars in 2022.
East Meets Dress offers a diverse range of qipaos, including flowy jumpsuits, dramatic designs with sheer lace backs, and traditional sheath styles. Their Bespoke Collection allows clients to custom-make their dresses, ensuring a perfect fit for brides of all sizes. The brand recently partnered with plus-size model Catherine Li to create a more inclusive collection that represents a wider range of body types.
The success of East Meets Dress is evident, with over 10,000 dresses sold to brides across the globe. The brand’s future plans include expanding their collection to include more Asian cultures, a casual cheongsam line, designs for Lunar New Year, and children’s clothing. Clients have shared their joy and gratitude for the brand’s mission and designs, including teenagers who proudly wear the dresses to prom and adoptees celebrating their culture and heritage.
In conclusion, East Meets Dress is a pioneering brand that merges traditional Chinese culture with modern design, providing brides with elegant and culturally significant qipaos for their special day.
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