materials. Semi-bespoke prices range from S$1,350 (US$1,034) to S$2,700 (US$2,069). Opening hours: 10am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday Contact: 8A Marina Boulevard #B2-09 and #B2-54/55 Marina Bay Link Mall (Marina Bay Financial Centre); #05-20 One Raffles Place, Singapore Tel: +65 6733 1336 / 6536 7423 / 6636 9418 Web:
rafflessuits.com
century. In the 1920s, it was put on the fashion map by Shanghai’s socialites and upper classes, while the Republic of China made the qipao the country’s national dress in the same decade. The dress features a high collar and splits up both sides and its trademark close fit shows off the silhouette. Largely replaced by the Mao suit following the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the qipao is experiencing something of a renaissance, with actresses such as Fan Bingbing, Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi opting to wear them for red carpet events as a chic alternative to a formal evening gown. Alex Liu, concierge of the Grand Hyatt Taipei (
taipei.grand.hyatt.com) recommends Hsu Rong-I as the qipao tailor of choice.
RECOMMENDATION The qipao, also known as a cheongsam (“long dress” in Cantonese), is a one-piece dress that has been worn since the Manchu ruled China in the 17th
A CONCIERGE'S Alex Liu
RONG-I AND HIS QIPAO STORE
Hsu Rong-I learnt traditional qipao making skills in
Hsu
Rong-I with
model Tiffany Hsu
Shanghai, and has been a tailor for more than 50 years. His clients include everyone from the American actress Barbara Eden to the Taiwanese model Lin Chi Ling.
Time needed to make a
qipao: Up to two weeks and orders have to be made in Taiwan.
Styles and fabrics: Typical styles use silk fabrics with Oriental style patterns. Price: From NT$9,000 (US$288) including material. Address: Room 2, 6/F, 122 Bo-ai Road, Jhongjheng District, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: +886 02 2361 3336 Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm. Web:
chinesedress.pixnet.net n
Visit
www.businesstraveller.asia JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 67
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76