A century-old bespoke Qipao store in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality continues to draw in large numbers of customers from across China and around the globe, all of whom are captivated by the tailors' exceptional skill and dedication to preserving traditional techniques.
Jiang Lingjun, a 61-year-old entrepreneur, has traded in her garment factory for a Qipao shop in Chongqing, a surprising turn for someone who once had little interest in traditional Chinese attire. After several years of running her business, Jiang came to realize that while mass-produced clothing may be trendy, it often lacks the unique characteristics and personal touch that truly make a garment special.
Jiang's decision to close her factory was inspired by the dedication of her mother and grandmother, who continued to hand-make Qipao with precision and care, and she has since become an accomplished tailor and designer, carrying on the family tradition.
"The shop has teenage customers, customers my age, and there are also older ones in their 40s or 50s. Qipao is one of our traditional clothes and I think it fits women's body shape better than the clothes we typically wear everyday and it is more beautiful," said Wan Yingyao, a customer.
According to Jiang, Chongqing, famously known as China's "mountain city," has a distinct topography that has influenced the development of a unique Qipao variant, characterized by a distinctive design that sets it apart from other regional styles.
"The Qipao variant originating from Chongqing is made from a complete set of cloth. Because women in Chongqing need to walk uphill and downhill within the city, if their clothes are too loose, they do not show the body shapes and if they are too tight, they make movement difficult. Women need to work, and the Qipao variant allows them to move around comfortably," she said.
The lengthy 15-day process of creating a Qipao does not deter Li Shenyuan, who is passionate about learning the meticulous craftsmanship involved in making these traditional garments.
A chance visit to Jiang's workshop five years ago proved to be a pivotal moment for Li, a young man from northeast China, as he was mesmerized by the intricate beauty of the handmade Qipao and decided to dedicate himself to learning the craft under the guidance of the esteemed designer.
"I love my job and I never felt tired. I won't be conceited for making an expansive piece of Qipao, nor will I rush up to finish the making just because the customer pays more. I just make Qipao," said Li.
Over the past decade, Jiang's shop has witnessed a remarkable influx of international customers, with visitors from an impressive 138 countries around the globe, drawn to the shop's unique and authentic Qipao designs.
"I love it. I have seen some Chinese movies, so it reminds me of Chinese culture and all these Kungfu movies that I have seen. It's a beautiful way to know the culture also, through the clothes and everything," said a Spanish international student.
Century-old Qipao store thrives in Chongqing
Century-old Qipao store thrives in Chongqing
The Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 began preview screenings in London on Friday ahead of its official release in the country and Ireland on March 21, attracting excited crowds to watch the film in advance.
The film made its debut in the UK at London's BFI IMAX, home to the country's largest IMAX screen and is scheduled to screen in over 250 cinemas of 100 cities across the UK and Ireland during the first week of release.
The film's Europe-wide distributor, Trinity CineAsia, announced that it has acquired theatrical distribution rights for Ne Zha 2 across 37 countries in Europe, including the UK, Ireland, and Germany. This scale of film release is exceptionally rare in the history of overseas distribution for Chinese-language films, reflecting the strong confidence of local cinemas in the movie's market potential.
"The fact that it is here and, you know, that we are getting a lot more influx of films from all across Asia from China, South Korea, Japan, South Asia as well. I think it's really good to kind of like widen the palate, because we all want to escape our little cinematic bubble and see what the rest of the world has to offer," said Jack Martin, a film reviewer, in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV).
"Ne Zha 2" has shattered global box office records to become the No. 1 box office animated film of all times and also the first non-Hollywood production to crack the global all-time top 10 box office chart.
Rooted in 16th-century Chinese mythology with a bold reinterpretation, the movie has attracted attention of global audiences with its stunning visuals, well-crafted storytelling, and deep cultural heritage.
"And I think all these elements show that Ne Zha 2 is both a film that's modern, but also has its roots in something very deep and very ancient," said Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia, in an interview with the CCTV.
Many audiences attending the preview screening in London have shared their thoughts about the movie in interviews with the CCTV.
"It was moving like heartwarming. Yes, I'll go home now and talk to it to all my friends," said a moviegoer.
"I thought that the humor of the film was really great, but it balances so perfectly with some of the more dramatic and heartfelt moments of it. And yeah, I really, really enjoyed it. And the language barrier was not a problem at all," said another moviegoer.
"We might not speak the same language, but at its heart is a very universal theme of friendship and just trying to do right in the world. And I think that a lot of people really resonate with that. I can see why it's done so well in China already," said Jack Martin.
James Smith, an social media influencer, shared his views about the movie in Chinese language during the interview. He thought the movie can serve as a bridge for foreigners to understand Chinese culture.
"I watched Ne Zha, the 2019 box office hit, in China. When I heard that its sequel was set to debut in the UK today, I rushed to the cinema to see it. It's definitely a great movie, filled with humor, touching moments, and encouragement. My friends often ask me how they can better understand China, because they think I know something about the country. I would say that you can watch the Ne Zha 2, as I believe it's a great film and through which you can learn something about Chinese culture," he said.
Ne Zha 2 begins preview screenings in London, captivating local audiences
