Qipao fashion show exhibits beauty, facet of rich Chinese culture

A back view of the models in qipao in Luoyang, Henan province, Aug 28, 2016. [Photo/IC]

A fashion show on qipao, a stylish traditional Chinese dress for ladies, exhibited a beautiful facet of the rich Chinese culture to diplomats of different countries here at the African Union. Hosted by spouses at the Chinese Mission to the Africa Union on the premises of the Mission Head's residence in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, the qipao fashion show event on last Saturday featured performances on different themes, including young girls' beauty; wedding; hosting friend; Chinese Romeo and Juliet dance; violin solo: a fishing boat song at dusk; and learning embroidery among others.

During the event that also displayed sample qipao, an 8-year-old Chinese girl, in particular, captured the attention and the heart of the audience with her performance on violin solo: a fishing boat song at dusk.

According to Kuang Weilin, head of the Chinese Mission to the Africa Union, the event was hosted by the spouses at the Mission in connection with the International Women's Day, aiming to promote the rich Chinese cultural elements to the rest of the world.

Kuang told Xinhua after the show that it was a successful event.

Stating that many Africans and other nationals do not know about China's qipao, also known as Mandarin gown, Kuang said the event was a very good platform to promote the traditional clothing and related cultural elements to diplomats of different countries.

"The event was a great success; it showed the Chinese culture to our friends, to ambassadors. I think, this event is also a very good event for the promotion of better understanding between China and other countries," he said.

"Qipao is really one of the most important elements of the Chinese culture. Qipao really is the symbol of the Chinese culture. And interestingly, not many people in Africa really know about qipao; it is our responsibility to introduce qipao to Africans so that African friends, ambassadors will really have better understanding of the Chinese culture," noted the Ambassador.

He said the Mission would continue to host such events in future with a view of promoting the rich culture of China to the rest of the world.

Participating in some of the performances and making presentation on qipao and its evolution, Wu Hua, wife of the Chinese Ambassador to AU, noted that qipao is symbolic of Chinese culture.

It demonstrates the elegance, grace, and tenderness of the Chinese women, she said.

"Its design and style show special features of the woman's figure. However, at the same time, it does not expose too much. It shows Chinese woman's beauty subtlety," she added.

Attending the event, African and other diplomats have hailed the event, which featured qipao fashion show, presentation on evolution of the traditional robe (qipao), and performances on the different Chinese customs on different occasions.

Susan Sikaneta, Zambian Ambassador to Ethiopia and AU, told Xinhua it was a magnificent event.

"I must say that this fashion show has been magnificent, wonderful, and beautiful. I can describe it in all these beautiful words because it has really been magnificent," she said.

The fashion show was not only entertaining, but also informative and educative, said the Ambassador.

Speaking to Xinhua, Monica Sabatucci, wife of the head of EU Delegation to AU, said she admired the event.

"It is really, really, nice; it was a new experience for us; we can see how in-depth the perfection is of the Chinese people; it is a different culture you get to understand more; how important perfection is color. It was a different presentation. And it was really, new experience for all of us," said Sabatucci.

"It was not the first time; but every new presentation is new experience. Definitely, it was really, really, positive, and I was really, really honored to see all this kind of different presentation; it was not only the fashion show but also the presentation of the different customs that China offers," she said.

The event concluded with a banquet, which offers Chinese dishes, and was thrown by the Chinese Mission to the African Union.