Cheongsam , 1990s
Dress

This cheongsam belongs to Linda Yip, a fourth-generation Chinese genealogist and historian. Growing up, Linda was rejective of her Chinese identity and tried very hard to be white. The first time she wore a cheongsam was her grandmother’s wedding dress, but that experience was uncomfortable as she felt a sense of disconnection and inauthenticity. In her coming of age, Linda went on a world trip, giving up stability to pursue a new life. This trip was a milestone in her life, offering her a sense of freedom and the ability to make her own decisions. In Vietnam, Linda saw many Vietnamese women wearing their traditional dress, the Ao Dai, and proud to display their cultural identity. Linda then purchased her first tailor-made cheongsam in Vietnam. Linda’s negotiation of her cultural identity through clothing demonstrates that identity is a “production” that is never complete. It also shows clothing choices can be used to enact agency, expressing one’s relationship with their cultural heritage that is fluid and constantly changing throughout one’s lifetime.

Exhibited by:

Violet Wolfe

Other works by Unknown

Wedding Portrait of Rose Lee , 1950s
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
BC Lion’s Newsletter , 1978
Newspaper
Violet Wolfe
Linda at a Fashion Show , 2008
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Chinatown’s Girls Drill Team , 1960
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Gold Ring , Unknown
Jewelry
Violet Wolfe

More from Violet Wolfe

Lillian at Work , 1940s
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Silk Shoes , Before 1910
Footwear
Violet Wolfe
Lillian and Dorthy , 1940s
Photograph
Violet Wolfe
Pink Striped Chinese-Style Sheath Dress , 1920s to 1930s
108 x 41 cm (h x w)
Dress
Violet Wolfe
Chinese Woman’s Silver Brocade , 1920s
Violet Wolfe