Qipaos are underrepresented in the bridal industry—but East Meets Dress is changing that. Chinese brides in the Western world often choose to wear a qipao, also known as a cheongsam, on their wedding day. The qipao is a beautiful dress with a body-hugging silhouette, a mandarin collar, and intricate silk embroidery. It holds cultural significance and is often worn during the tea ceremony, where the bride and groom serve tea to their families. However, finding a modern qipao in the U.S. can be challenging for brides, but luckily Jenn Qiao, along with her friend Vivian Chan, started East Meets Dress to provide high-quality qipaos for brides looking for their dream dress. Ultimately, the brand is part of a larger trend of Asian American-owned businesses and designers modernizing traditional designs to bring more representation and inclusivity to the wedding industry. YPulse’s Weddings report data shows that Asian Gen Z and Millennials are the most likely to say they want their wedding to be traditional. (Huff Post)
