Designer turns tailor-made 'qipao' into lucrative business

Zhang Haichao showcases one of his works to a customer in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Dec 13, 2017. [Photo/IC]

A fashion designer, fascinated by traditional Chinese costumes, has turned tailor-made qipao, women's one-piece dresses also known as cheongsam, into a lucrative business in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province.

Zhang Haichao, a member of the post-1980 generation, graduated from Shanghai's Donghua University with a major in fashion design and has been making traditional Chinese costumes, including qipao, for over 8 years.

As the chief designer at Jiayi Impression Qipao Studio in Changchun, the tailor-made qipao by Zhang are very popular and customers need to preorder two months earlier. The price of a handmade qipao is about 8,000 yuan ($1,217.80) and supply can never meet demand.

Some of Zhang Haichao's works on display in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province, Dec 13, 2017. [Photo/IC]