Qipao LoveR No.1: Celebrating August...with sewing Cheongsam lover Tiffany from Singapore!
As promised in my last post, it is now time to launch the exciting new series called "Qipao LoveR"; to follow the 'Qipao Love (All about the Qipao)' series. After being crowned Queen of Vintage number 155 (here) a little while ago, I felt really honoured I was openly considered part of the global vintage loving world and the excitement kept me buzzing on a natural high for days. Truth is I have never been to fashion or beauty school, am not a model, more niche than mainstream vintage in style, have no great style award or big magazine column to brag about and often find myself just taking the D.I.Y (do it yourself) approach to mold different vintage styles into my own style. Being just like any other person who has turned a passion into a real part of her life, I wanted to pass on that buzz of excitement to others who love the Qipao or Cheongsam....because I know there are many of you out there in the big wide world and it is not always easy to celebrate your love for the Qipao. The "Qipao LoveR" series is a once a month feature that is all about celebrating YOU and your love for the Cheongsam or Qipao....be it Cheongsam collector, wearer, designer, tailor, maker, artist or fan.....so without further ado I am proud to launch the "Qipao LoveR" series with Cheongsam lover Tiffany from Singapore!
Have you darlings ever met a Cheongsam lover who actually sews her very own Cheongsam? Well it is even a feat that an addict like me is yet to master, so I am very pleased to introduce the very first 'Qipao LoveR' of the series....the lovely Tiffany from 'Sew What?' (link); a sweet sewing blog from Singapore. Having a dream of transforming cloth in to wearable pieces since her youth, Tiffany is a true sewing fanatic who has turned the skills acquired from sewing lessons in February 2010 into her next love.....the Cheongsam! A teacher by day, Tiffany sews when she has free time, managing house with a lovely husband (she even made her own stunning wedding dress) and now a wonderful new baby too. Her journey began with having two tailor made Cheongsam dresses in 2007 to eventually sewing her very own new Cheongsam dresses with patterns she drew up for almost every Chinese New Year. Her dress-making philosophy follows the words of the great Coco Chanel; "Minimalist, sophisticated, elegant, to be worn at any time of day". So you can see from her photos how she has made very lovely Cheongsam pieces that does exactly that:
When on holiday, besides buying the usual clothes and shoes, Tiffany loves going on a fabric hunt....so if you darlings happen to have any fabric store tip-offs for London please do pop over to her blog to let her know! To find out a bit more about Tiffany's love for the Cheongsam I set out three questions for her to anwer:
1. What do you love about the Qipao or Cheongsam?
I like the fact that while it is the Chinese traditional costume (I'm a Chinese), it can be modern and fashionable as well. You can keep the traditional cut but up the modern factor by selecting a modern fabric or a quirky print. Or you can simply combine a cheongsam top and your favourite skirt pattern (circle, pencil, tulip etc) together. It also makes a very good nursing wear!
When in doubt what to wear to attend a dinner or wedding or formal event, a Cheongsam never fails!
2. Whys did you start collecting or wearing the Cheongsam (Qipao)?
The husband (then boyfriend) watched Lust, Caution which featured quite a number of Cheongsams that he fancied. He likes the idea of me wearing a Cheongsam and was the one who encouraged me to tailor-make a Cheongsam. So we made 2 sets for Chinese New Year that year. That was 2007. Subsequently I attended a dressmaking class and Chinese New Year was approaching. So there's this craze over Cheongsam amongst a few of us in the class and we made our own Cheongsams. My first handmade Cheongsam was in 2011. Since then, I make one for myself every Chinese New Year. As my Cheongsams were all tailor-made, I am able to adjust the cutting to flatter my own body shape. Seeing how it accentuates curves and conceals the unnecessary, there was no turning back ever since.
Since it has to be fitting (not tight-fitting), it is through the drafting of my own Cheongsam pattern that I discover more about my body shape, and could draft a better shift dress pattern - if it is a one piece, I use a shift dress pattern for making a Cheongsam. I also enjoy using a variety of cotton, which is more suitable for the climate in Singapore.
3. What would you like to tell others about wearing the Qipao (Cheongsam)?
Embrace the traditional costume with an open heart. A well-tailored Cheongsam always accentuates the assets and conceals the imperfections. Designs are no longer restricted to the traditional cut and "waitress-ish". Always tailor-make your Cheongsam!
I guess the message from both Tiffany and myself is to embrace your love for the Cheongsam (Qipao) without fear, and if you have a fellow Qipao or Cheongsam lover you would like to nominate for a feature on 'Walking in May' then do drop me a line (via comment below) or email: may[at]walkinginmay.com (Qipao or Cheongsam lover but too shy to be featured, then just join us on the Qipao Love community here) Creativity and love comes in all forms, so let's celebrate the good about it as life's too short not to spread positivity to others! Also for those of you who want to do a good deed today, I have registered to walk the night 21kms half-marathon in a Cheongsam and vintage hairstyle {story here}to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Find out how I am fighting breast cancer together with my friend W-N by doing the 'Shine Walk' in September 2014, and what I will pledge to do to get more donations:
Have a very fabulously happy beginning to August darlings!
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| Tailor made piece that inspired Tiffany's Cheongsam sewing journey! |
Have you darlings ever met a Cheongsam lover who actually sews her very own Cheongsam? Well it is even a feat that an addict like me is yet to master, so I am very pleased to introduce the very first 'Qipao LoveR' of the series....the lovely Tiffany from 'Sew What?' (link); a sweet sewing blog from Singapore. Having a dream of transforming cloth in to wearable pieces since her youth, Tiffany is a true sewing fanatic who has turned the skills acquired from sewing lessons in February 2010 into her next love.....the Cheongsam! A teacher by day, Tiffany sews when she has free time, managing house with a lovely husband (she even made her own stunning wedding dress) and now a wonderful new baby too. Her journey began with having two tailor made Cheongsam dresses in 2007 to eventually sewing her very own new Cheongsam dresses with patterns she drew up for almost every Chinese New Year. Her dress-making philosophy follows the words of the great Coco Chanel; "Minimalist, sophisticated, elegant, to be worn at any time of day". So you can see from her photos how she has made very lovely Cheongsam pieces that does exactly that:
- The Anda Cheongsam (2014): "my most recent cheongsam that I made for 2014. It is essential a marriage between an Anda (Burdastyle) and Cheongsam pattern. I have forgone the chinese collar but retained the curve." [Blogged: sewwhatt.wordpress.com/2014/the-denim-cheongsam]
- In the Mood for Love Cheongsam (2012): "What I made for 2012, inspired by the movie 'In The Mood for Love'. [Blogged: sewwhatt.wordpress.com/2012/the-in-the-mood-for-cheongsam-dress]
- Paris Cheongsam (2011): It's my first handmade cheongsam! [Blogged: sewwhatt.wordpress.com/2011/cheongsam]
- Cheongsam (2007): "One of the 2 cheongsam I tailormade in 2007."
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| She is absolutely adorable! |
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| Tiffany made this fusion of Anda (Burdastyle) Cheongsam in 2014..... |
When on holiday, besides buying the usual clothes and shoes, Tiffany loves going on a fabric hunt....so if you darlings happen to have any fabric store tip-offs for London please do pop over to her blog to let her know! To find out a bit more about Tiffany's love for the Cheongsam I set out three questions for her to anwer:
1. What do you love about the Qipao or Cheongsam?
I like the fact that while it is the Chinese traditional costume (I'm a Chinese), it can be modern and fashionable as well. You can keep the traditional cut but up the modern factor by selecting a modern fabric or a quirky print. Or you can simply combine a cheongsam top and your favourite skirt pattern (circle, pencil, tulip etc) together. It also makes a very good nursing wear!
When in doubt what to wear to attend a dinner or wedding or formal event, a Cheongsam never fails!
2. Whys did you start collecting or wearing the Cheongsam (Qipao)?
The husband (then boyfriend) watched Lust, Caution which featured quite a number of Cheongsams that he fancied. He likes the idea of me wearing a Cheongsam and was the one who encouraged me to tailor-make a Cheongsam. So we made 2 sets for Chinese New Year that year. That was 2007. Subsequently I attended a dressmaking class and Chinese New Year was approaching. So there's this craze over Cheongsam amongst a few of us in the class and we made our own Cheongsams. My first handmade Cheongsam was in 2011. Since then, I make one for myself every Chinese New Year. As my Cheongsams were all tailor-made, I am able to adjust the cutting to flatter my own body shape. Seeing how it accentuates curves and conceals the unnecessary, there was no turning back ever since.
Since it has to be fitting (not tight-fitting), it is through the drafting of my own Cheongsam pattern that I discover more about my body shape, and could draft a better shift dress pattern - if it is a one piece, I use a shift dress pattern for making a Cheongsam. I also enjoy using a variety of cotton, which is more suitable for the climate in Singapore.
3. What would you like to tell others about wearing the Qipao (Cheongsam)?
Embrace the traditional costume with an open heart. A well-tailored Cheongsam always accentuates the assets and conceals the imperfections. Designs are no longer restricted to the traditional cut and "waitress-ish". Always tailor-make your Cheongsam!
 |
| Tiffany made the 'In the Mood for Love' inspired Cheongsam in 2012..... |
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| My favourite.....the very first Paris Cheongsam Tiffany made in 2011! |
I guess the message from both Tiffany and myself is to embrace your love for the Cheongsam (Qipao) without fear, and if you have a fellow Qipao or Cheongsam lover you would like to nominate for a feature on 'Walking in May' then do drop me a line (via comment below) or email: may[at]walkinginmay.com (Qipao or Cheongsam lover but too shy to be featured, then just join us on the Qipao Love community here) Creativity and love comes in all forms, so let's celebrate the good about it as life's too short not to spread positivity to others! Also for those of you who want to do a good deed today, I have registered to walk the night 21kms half-marathon in a Cheongsam and vintage hairstyle {story here}to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Find out how I am fighting breast cancer together with my friend W-N by doing the 'Shine Walk' in September 2014, and what I will pledge to do to get more donations:
Have a very fabulously happy beginning to August darlings!
Until the next time,
♥ May xx
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| The SHINE Walk 2014 route map (London).....which I will be doing the half-marathon in! |
