Putting a modern spin on classics, Khoon Hooi reworked and rescaled the Qi Pao (a.k.a. cheongsam) into contemporary pieces that’s no less classy for his 2018 Lunar New Year collection.
As with his other collections, decadent fabrics and patterns are juxtaposed against delicate details in a style that is unmistakably Khoon Hooi. Embroidery on checks, chevron on jersey, lace on satin and silk as well as rich brocades are present throughout the lineup that seems like what would be seen in Wong Kar Wai’s ‘In The Mood for Love’ if it’s being remade now.
There’s a certain cinematic glamour to the collection – pastels clashed against striking colours, scallop details on sleeves and hem and even modern straight cut sleeves to give a streamlined structure to the feminine silhouette of a qi pao. Motifs that echoes the Chinese art and culture such as peony and lotus spearhead the collection. The peony, while being known to represent spring, is also a symbol of the ideal female beauty while the lotus symbolizes unhindered perfection and the purity of the heart and mind. The traditional buttons of the qi pao – the ‘pankou’ – gives the perfect finishing touch as it is revamped into bejewelled florals or kept clean in a simple strand.
Khoon Hooi Qi Pao 2018 Collection is available exclusively at Khoon Hooi showroom at APW Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. For appointments, contact 03 2788 2667 or email boutique@khoonhooi.com.
Read also: Keith Kee Couture Takes On Modern Cheongsam In ‘Ode To Spring’
