Fashioning Chinese Women: Empire to Modernity

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art opens 'Fashioning Chinese Women: Empire to Modernity' on June 14, the first exhibition of its kind at LACMA. Running through October 12, 2026, the show traces a century of transformation through more than 70 ensembles from Shanghai, Hong Kong and America, charting the evolution of Chinese women's dress from the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911 to the rise of the Cultural Revolution in 1966. The garments move from the loose embroidered robes of the late Qing through the sleek qipao of the 1930s to the globally iconic cheongsam of the 1960s, with vibrant colors, sumptuous silks and intricate trims showcasing the craftsmanship of each piece. The works are displayed on mannequin heads designed in collaboration with fashion designer Jason Wu, presenting a seldom-seen story of how Chinese and Chinese American women expressed identity and navigated change through dress.