From Shanghai’s golden era to TikTok runways, the qipao is having 2026’s glow-up moment. Designer Zhou Zhuguang stitches together history and hype in his workshop, where vintage theater costumes become blueprints for tomorrow’s fashion. 🪡✨
“We’re not copying ancestors – we’re texting them 📲,” Zhou laughs, showing embroidered dragon patterns reimagined as geometric accents on crop-top qipaos. His two master embroiders (combined age: 157) help decode Qing dynasty motifs into Insta-worthy details.
Why Gen Z Cares
This isn’t your grandma’s cheongsam. Zhou’s team uses eco-dyes and modular designs – mix-and-match collars go from boardroom to club night. 🌿💃 Sales to overseas buyers jumped 40% this January alone, proving tradition travels well.
Cultural Code-Switching
Asian diaspora creators are fueling the trend: #QipaoRemix videos have 890M views, with NYC and London influencers pairing Zhou’s pieces with sneakers and streetwear. “It’s about owning our heritage and our future,” says @xia_stitches, a Toronto-based designer.
