Asian nations flaunt best dresses

More than 120 outfits are on display at the show Glamour to Wear: The ASEAN and Chinese Costume Culture at the Chinese Museum of Women and Children in Beijing. Provided to China Daily

An exhibition of dress culture in China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations opened at the Chinese Museum of Women and Children on Tuesday.

Trend watch: Catherine and her hats

Trend watch: Ladies in white

Part of the 2014 China-ASEAN Cultural Exchange Year, the exhibition features some of the most splendid attire from the member countries, including wedding gowns, celebration costumes and birthday outfits.

Glamour to Wear: The ASEAN and Chinese Costume Culture opened with a runway show with designers from the 11 countries showcasing their innovative take on traditional garments.

With more than 120 outfits from ASEAN countries and China, the exhibition explores the origin, trends and craftsmanship in the dress culture of each country.

The exhibition was accompanied by a designers' forum focusing on tradition and innovation.

Singaporean designer Priscilla Shunmugam showed five dresses from her previous collections of Ong Shunmugam. She took samfoo, a two-piece outfit of a blouse and a pair of trousers, and transformed it into one of the best sellers for modern women by introducing modern graphics and a traditional cut.

If you go

9 am-5 pm, until April 17. Chinese Museum of Women and Children, 9 Beijige Lu (Road), Dongcheng district, Beijing. 010-6526-9678.