$20 Silk Sheet
Hongkong Post has issued a set of stamps on the theme of “Qipao” a traditional Chinese dress for women since 1920’s.
Issue date 17 October 2017, Qipao in Mandarin, or cheongsam in Cantonese, refers to the timeless straight dress, usually of silk or cotton, with a stand-up collar and a slit on one side of the skirt. The typical Chinese-style dress, which is a symbol of oriental charm, has been popular since the 1920s.
Six stamps featuring qipao were included in the new stamp set. Apart from modern versions of dress, the stamp designers were inspired by documentation about the clothes, including old posters and films. The stamps demonstrate the evolution of fashion in China and traditional Chinese culture.
$10 Normal Odd shaped Stamp sheet
The Stamps featured on the Stamp sheetlet are
Normal Sheetlet as per Theme
$1.70 ─ Qipao in the 1920s inherited the wide and straight cut of long gowns of the Qing dynasty. The hemline fell between the calf and the ankle while the sleeves reached either the wrist or the elbow.
$2.20 ─ Qipao in the 1930s became the most popular daily attire among women. The qipao at that time mostly adopted a slim and slender cut, with higher slits on both sides to allow easier movements.
$2.90 ─ Qipao in the 1940s had its hemline raised to the calf and the collar lowered. The dresses were made of plainer fabrics with few embellishments. Summer qipao dresses were largely sleeveless.
$3.10 – Qipao in the 1950s was characterised by a slender cut, an indented hem and a higher collar. The qipao became the most elegant and decent dress for women for going out and the mainstream work attire for office ladies.
$3.70 – Qipao in the 1960s bore a similar style to that of the 1950s: shortened length, a slim waistline, a body-hugging fit and a narrow hemline to create an hourglass figure.
$5 – Qipao in the 1970s gradually fell from grace as western outfits won hearts. Nevertheless, the qipao continued to be worn as a ceremonial dress and thus became the attire for special occasions.
$10 Stamp Sheetlet – Contemporary qipao has retained the classical design while undergoing refinement and recasting by introducing contemporary fashion elements into the fabrics, cut and styles, hence reinforcing its prestigious status as a perennial classic. Stamp is odd shaped as per the theme
$20 Stamp Sheetlet – is printed with paper made of taffeta fabric to enhance the theme. Stamp is odd shaped as per the theme.
