The 2026 “Chao Yun 6·6 Shanghai Haipai Qipao Month” officially opened on June 6 at the Shanghai Citizens Art Theatre (上海市群众艺术馆), launching a month-long citywide celebration of Shanghai’s most iconic traditional costume. The event, organized under the guidance of the Shanghai Women’s Federation and Shanghai Culture and Tourism Bureau, spotlights Haipai qipao making craftsmanship as an intangible cultural heritage of Shanghai.
Opening Ceremony and Book Launch
The opening ceremony featured the debut of the new book Qiyun Zhan Fanghua (旗韵绽芳华) — a comprehensive volume documenting the history, craftsmanship, and cultural significance of the Haipai qipao tradition. The book launch marks one of the cultural highlights of this year’s programming.
Over 30 qipao art teams gathered at the Citizens Art Theatre for three themed performances, showcasing the elegance and artistry of Haipai qipao through dance, qipao scene performances, and traditional music accompaniment.
Core Themes
The 2026 Haipai Qipao Month is built around four core pillars:
- Non-Heritage Revitalization: Bringing traditional qipao making techniques — including xiang (镶, inlay), an (嵌, insert), gun (滚, piping), dang (宕, facing), pankou (盘扣, frog button), and embroidery — into contemporary lifestyle contexts.
- Aesthetic Education: Offering public lectures, workshops, and guided tours led by qipao inheritors, brand founders, and fashion professionals to deepen public understanding of Haipai qipao culture.
- Cultural, Business, and Tourism Integration: Extending qipao culture beyond museums into commercial districts, community centers, parks, and creative industrial zones.
- Universal Participation: Creating events accessible to all demographics, from traditional craft enthusiasts to young people experiencing qipao culture for the first time.
Exhibition Highlights
The Citizens Art Theatre’s first-floor exhibition hall has been transformed into an immersive Haipai aesthetic space featuring four thematic zones:
- Modern Era Qipao Zone: A recreation of 1920s-30s Shanghai street scenes, where visitors experience the elegance of the original Haipai era through period costumes and archival imagery.
- Professional Qipao Zone: Showcasing how traditional pankou and piping details have been integrated into modern professional attire, making qipao aesthetics accessible in workplace settings.
- Daily Qipao Zone: Displaying refined, understated qipao designs for everyday wear — embodying the “sophisticated without being ostentatious” philosophy of Haipai lifestyle culture.
- Bespoke Gala Qipao Zone: Featuring high-end custom qipao creations that represent the pinnacle of Haipai craftsmanship for international stage presentations.
Interactive Experiences and City-Wide Performances
Beyond exhibitions, the event features digital costume mirrors allowing visitors to virtually try on different qipao styles, and live qipao styling photo stations for hands-on participation. Throughout June, performances will cascade across multiple Shanghai landmarks including the Huangpu River cruise ship reception hall, Jinshan Langxia friendly village, Qingpu Fangxia Fashion Center, and Pudong EKA Tiānwù creative park.
A dedicated qipao cultural and creative market on the second floor of the Citizens Art Theatre showcases over 15 brands offering everything from high-end handmade qipao to new-Chinese-style daily qipao, intangible heritage frog buttons, embroidery accessories, and Haipai-inspired cultural creative products.
The “Chao Yun 6·6 Shanghai Haipai Qipao Month Art Exhibition” runs throughout June at the Shanghai Citizens Art Theatre and is open to the public free of charge. The exhibition is one of the featured activities of the 2026 Cultural and Natural Heritage Day in Shanghai.