What is typical traditional Chinese fashion? Nanjing Yunjin is a good place to start. It is to silk what cashmere is to wool and refers to man-made brocade from Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province.
It is 1,500 years old, was worn by all the emperors and its name conveys its delicate nature: yun means clouds and jin means brocade. It feels like soft clouds.
Now the Nanjing Brocade Research Institute has formed a company to sell its very own high-end line, Legende De Soie, of visually stunning dresses.
Legende De Soie will be available in more than just gold and red, considered the emperor's colors in ancient China. The regal touch will be widened with black, dark green, blue and purple.
The dresses feature flower and bird-patterned embroidery with matching silk wrist bands, decorated with silk peony, rose or lotus. The range will extend to cushions, home decorations and artwork.
The cuts are similar to those of qipao, a traditional Chinese women's dress. While qipao has high collars and a tight fit, however, Legende De Soie displays a bolder belief that a little more exposure not only enhances feminine beauty but is often more comfortable to wear, allowing the wearer to breathe more easily.
Legende De Soie will open its first shop in Nanjing later this year, in Beijing next year and in Paris in 2011. It is determined to be internationally appealing and will select fashion designers from all over the world to create its full range.
