A party for women wearing traditional qipao shows that the young have a new interest in old styles

Arecent theme party in southwestern China's Chongqing celebrated the qipao - the form-fitting ancient Manchu dress later modernized in coastal Shanghai.

More than 40 women visited a restaurant clad in the colorful clothes. Music was performed on ancient instruments while masters painted traditional pictures and calligraphy. The women also played the ancient board game Go.

"It's for beautiful women who love qipao to meet new friends offline," says event organizer Wang Youdong, who directs a local channel of Sina's website that focuses on socializing. Attendees included college students, white-collar professionals and entrepreneurs. Most were in their 20s. The youngest was 18.

(China Daily Africa Weekly  01/23/2015 page4)