Where Find the Best Cheongsams for Chinese New Year
With Chinese New Year just around the corner, the search for the perfect cheongsam – or qipao, as it’s known in Mandarin – is officially on.
Literally meaning ‘long dress’ (or ‘duen sam’ for shorter styles in Hong Kong), the cheongsam has long been a cultural staple.
Thanks to master tailors who fled Shanghai in the 1940s, Hong Kong became a haven for top-notch tailoring, and by the 1960s, its film scene had turned the cheongsam into a bona fide star.
Maggie Cheung’s lineup of elegant cheongsams In the Mood for Love is still remembered as an iconic look to this day, reviving the global obsession in the garment and proving that its wow factor never went out of style.
The cheongsam has a traditional Manchu silhouette defined by a high mandarin collar, fitted waist, side slits, and intricate Chinese frog fasteners. Whether you’re dressing for a family gathering, wedding banquet, or an intimate Chinese New Year soirée with friends, there’s no better time to let this timeless garment shine.
If you finally wish to retire the cheongsam that’s been hanging untouched in your wardrobe, we’ve rounded up our favorite spots to help you find the cheongsam of your dreams. Whether you want to splurge on a custom-made piece or are shopping smart on a budget, here’s our edit of cheongsams worth slipping into this festive season.
1. Yan Shang Kee
When it comes to qipaos in Hong Kong, there’s no place quite like Yan Shang Kee. As one of the city’s last remaining specialists offering both custom-made and ready-to-wear cheongsams and located in Central, Yan Shang Kee strikes a sweet spot between timeless elegance and modern flair.
Yan Shang Kee's owner Ding regularly travels to Japan to source standout fabrics, which are then sent straight to a qipao-making master in Shanghai to be meticulously hand-crafted. Striking the perfect sweet spot between timeless elegance and modern flair, classic cuts are reworked with playful prints and stretchy fabrics, adding just the right amount of contemporary drama.
Their fitting process is refreshingly efficient, taking just half an hour to lock in your fabric, design, and details. For those after a photo op, the studio also offers 30-minute qipao rentals from HK$480, with cheongsam rentals starting at HK$320. Forgot your accessories? No stress. The studio stocks clutches, purses, heels, and flats, and even offers hairstyling if you’re going all out.
Photographer hire is available at an additional cost. Custom qipaos are available from HK$4,600, with full customization – from fabrics and textures to buttons and binding, and a two- to three-month turnaround – perfect for if you want to plan ahead for celebrations.
Bookings are available via their website here.
Location: Ground Floor No.4, Wing Lee Street, Central, Hong Kong
2. Shanghai Tang
Shanghai Tang has made its name by reimagining classic Chinese silhouettes for the modern luxury woman.
Inspired by the glamor of 1930s Shanghai, they are one of the first brands to modernize the qipao by bringing it out of the Chinese closet and putting it on the world stage.
Their heritage pieces are infused with a Western touch — from peony-adorned silk jacquards to delicate rose-print cottons to sleek jersey cheongsams — their designs are high-end yet wearable and made to last. If you’re looking for something more modern, their latest collection Tang Qipao will be sure to turn heads, featuring unexpected textures and luxe tones, like plush gold velvet and pristine white silk that feel effortlessly chic.
Browse their full collections here or find them in multiple locations in Hong Kong.
3. SAU LEE
A Hong Kong–based label with strong international appeal, Sau Lee has become a go-to for modern cheongsams embraced by both trend -conscious young adults and style-savvy older generations.
Founded in 2014 by Cheryl Leung, the brand has built a cult following thanks to its fresh, high-glam take on eveningwear and the traditional cheongsam –all dialed up with a contemporary edge.
Rooted in Chinese craftsmanship but never stuck in the past, Sau Lee reimagines heritage with a refined sense of rebellion. You’ll spot it in statement pieces like brocade corsets finished with pipa knots, cheongsam minis with contrast trims and beaded pankou buttons, and the brand’s iconic Isa dress.
Designed for today’s cosmopolitan heroine, Sau Lee is all about making an entrance. If you’re after something modern, memorable, and unapologetically glamorous, this is one label you’ll want on your radar.
Browse their full collections here.
Location: SAU LEE Showroom, 128 Wellington Street, 5th Floor
4. Yi-ming
Founded by fashion designer and former model Grace Choi, this homegrown Hong Kong label offers ready-to-wear pieces designed for the city’s modern, style-conscious clientele.
Drawing from oriental art and aesthetics, Yi-ming reinterprets traditional Chinese elements with a subtle contemporary twist, balanced with the functionality and versatility demanded by Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle.
Expect everything from bold retro prints and contrast-printed qipaos to embroidered silk cape dresses, all infused with a feminine, playful spirit. Details like ruffled drop sleeves add softness and movement, offering a fresh, expressive take on modern Chinese dressing tailored to Hong Kong tastes, ideal for those looking to ease into Chinese-inspired styles.
Browse the collections here or catch them in-store.
Location: 50A Tung Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
5. Linva Tailor
An iconic presence in Hong Kong’s fashion scene, Linva Tailor has been perfecting the art of the cheongsam since 1965. One of the city’s most respected traditional tailors, it’s best known for its impeccable craftsmanship – and for dressing Maggie Cheung in some of the unforgettable cheongsams seen in In the Mood for Love.
Run by Mr. and Mrs. Leung, the Cochrane Street atelier specializes in custom-made cheongsams, each cut precisely to the wearer’s body. Clients can choose from Mr. Leung’s carefully curated selection of silks or bring their own fabric, with multiple fittings ensuring every detail is just right. The process is unhurried and deeply considered, with completion typically taking a few weeks to two months.
Step inside and you’ll find yourself surrounded by exquisite cheongsams that speak to a time when the garment was everyday wear in Hong Kong. Timeless, elegant, and rich in history, Linva Fashion is a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic, beautifully tailored piece with cinematic pedigree.
Location: 37 Cochrane Street, Central
6. Vivienne Tam
At the more luxury side of the scale is Vivienne Tam, a name that’s been repping modern Chinese fashion on the global stage long before it was cool. After graduating from Hong Kong Polytechnic with a Higher Diploma in Fashion Design, Tam took her vision to New York in the ’90s, where she quickly carved out a distinctive East-meets-West aesthetic.
Her designs boldly draw on Chinese heritage, featuring dragons, oblique plackets, and cheongsam-inspired silhouettes, and remixed with sheer mesh, netting, and flowing nylon that moves like a dream. The look is dreamlike, romantic, and instantly recognizable.
On the couture side, Tam’s Upcycled Modern Chinese Bridal Collection offers bespoke qipaos, marrying sustainability with high-glam, made-to-measure craftsmanship.
Browse the collections here or catch them in-store at multiple locations across Hong Kong.
7. Qipology
Qipology proves luxury doesn’t have to break the bank, offering modern qipaos that are stylish, wearable, and affordable, with prices ranging from HK$300 to HK$28,000.
This Hong Kong label offers a range of styles: classic, modern, even a little coquette – perfect for everyday wear, cocktail parties or full-blown bridal moments.
Designed for Hong Kong’s fast-paced (and occasionally sweaty) life, Qipology’s pieces feature lightweight, breathable fabrics that slip effortlessly into your everyday rotation. From cozy knitted qipaos to sporty silhouettes you could actually wear on the tennis court, plus flirty yet understated open-back designs, Qipology covers all bases.
On the bridal front, the brand goes all in with made-to-measure qipaos. Fan favorites include the Lycoris halter lace-up mermaid bridal qipao with its dramatic flared hem, and the all-over sequin halter qipao finished with floral appliqué.
Location: H314, Block B, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central
8. Goods of Desire. (G.O.D)
For those who like their cheongsams modern, low-maintenance, and a little bit playful, the Hong Kong staple Goods of Desire (G.O.D.), rises to the occasion.
G.O.D puts comfort and practicality first, reworking the qipao’s traditional silhouette into something you can throw on and go.
Expect flattering A-line silhouettes that skim the body, crafted from soft polyester that drapes well, feels good on the skin, and doesn’t crumple. The vibe is effortless – casual enough for daytime yet polished enough to dress up after dark.
Prints lean fun and unfussy, with options like daisy motifs, dogtooth checks, and classic black for the minimalists. Prices sit comfortably in the mid-range, with most pieces hovering around HK$1,300, making them easy investment staples you’ll actually wear.
Browse the full collection on their website or catch them in-store at multiple locations across Hong Kong.
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