How the qipao has inspired red-carpet looks over the years: designers from Carolina Herrera to Tom Ford have dressed the likes of Taylor Swift, Rita Ora and Gong Li in twists on the Chinese classic

Jan 29, 2025

Rita Ora, Fan Binging and Taylor Swift have all worn qipaos or qipao inspired dresses over the years. Photos: Getty Images; @bingbing_fan/Instagram; Getty Images

The traditional Chinese dress, which had its heyday in the glamorous 20s and 30s, is now a symbol of Chinese style that has lit up films like In the Mood for Love – and red carpets aplenty

It’s officially awards season – and almost Lunar New Year – which means we’re about to be treated to a slew of exquisite fashion moments as celebrities walk the red carpet in designer looks. In years past, qipao-inspired dresses have had their moment in the limelight as a series of actresses, singers and media personalities have donned outfits drawing on the traditional Chinese dress for major international events, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Met Gala, New York.

The qipao, also known as the cheongsam – meaning “long garment” – is distinctive for its mandarin collar, curve-hugging bodice and thigh-high skirt slit. The silhouette was dominant in the 1920s and 30s and has since become synonymous with conventional Chinese beauty and style. It has often been used as a visual cue to capture a certain aesthetic in cinematic masterpieces, including The World of Suzie Wong and Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love.

Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung in Wong Kar-wai’s In the Mood for Love. Photo: Handout