Cheongsam, eternal Chinese flavor

旗袍——永遠的中國風情

Cheongsam — the Eternal Chinese Flavor

在中國,很多女性都喜歡穿旗袍.結婚的時候,新娘不僅要訂做一件中式旗袍作為結婚禮服,還要穿著漂亮的旗袍照一套婚紗照,作為永久的紀念.對于中國的女明星們而言,旗袍也成為她們參加各種重要活動的首選禮服.

In China, many females are fond of wearing a cheongsam. When getting married, a bride not only places an order for a Chinese style cheongsam as her wedding gown, but also takes wedding photos in her beautiful cheongsam, providing long lasting memories. The cheongsam has become the top choice for Chinese actresses when attending various important ceremonies.

如今,人們經常在演繹舊上海故事的電影中,見到各式旗袍.影片中的女主角穿著美麗的旗袍,穿梭于十里洋場中,例如王家衛導演的《花樣年華》和《2046》,就喚醒了當代的中國女性對旗袍的回憶和迷戀.

Today, different kinds of cheongsam are seen in films about old Shanghai. The actresses are always dressed in charming cheongsam, coming and going in a metropolis greatly influenced by western culture. For example, the films In the Mood for Love and 2046 directed by Kar Wai Wong, have reawakened modern Chinese women's memory and fascination with the cheongsam.

旗袍源于中國滿族女性的傳統服裝.因為滿族稱為"旗人",所以將這種服裝稱為"旗袍".現代旗袍則發源于上海.當時,人們開始注重體現女性的自然之美,并吸收了西方服裝的式樣,不斷改進,于是旗袍就演變為"中西合璧"的新服飾.自20世紀30年代起,旗袍幾乎成了中國女性的標準服裝.從民間婦女、學生、工人到上流社會的貴婦人,所有女性都穿旗袍.旗袍流行了20多年,樣式也不斷改進.

The cheongsam originates from the traditional costume of Chinese Manchu women. They were called the "Banner People (qi ren)", which explains why the dresses they wore were called "Cheongsam (qi pao)". However, the modern cheongsam has its origin in Shanghai. At that time, women's natural beauty began to be emphasized, while at the same time western style clothing began to have influence. As continuous improvements were made, the cheongsam developed into a new fashion, integrating both Chinese and Western elements. Since the 1930s, the cheongsam had almost become the standard clothing for all Chinese women, including commoners, students, working women and the prestigious ladies of high society. Further improvements would accompany the cheongsam's popularity during the following two decades.

在中國漫長的服裝文化歷史中,唯有旗袍跨越了國界,并受到了很多外國女性的喜愛.如今,不論是各大電影節上還是在世界小姐、世界模特大賽上,旗袍已經成為一種中國服飾的代名詞.
Throughout the long history of Chinese clothing culture, only the cheongsam has gone beyond national borders and entered the international fashion arena. It has become the fashion style representing Chinese traditional culture and has become popular with many foreign ladies. Today, the cheongsam has become synonymous with Chinese fashion, whether it be film festivals, Miss World pageants or global model contests.

(Source: myechinese.com)