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Fashion in modern Shanghai is interesting to observe because it has an own style . This style forms a large part of the history of costumes in China (SHME .COM , 2004 . As a matter of fact , Modern Shanghai is now hailed as a center for fashion in the East , due to its propagation of the dress as a common garment for women . Thus , Shanghai is now commonly referred to as the Eastern Paris (SHME .COM , 2004

It is reported that fashion in modern Shanghai is a product of the evolution of various styles and

costumes actually used by its inhabitants since the early 1900s . If we trace back the history of costumes in Shanghai , it would be observed that women in Shanghai had been wearing dresses known as Qi Pao (SHME .COM , 2004 ' beginning in 1920s

If we look at the Qi Pao , we could see that it was a Chinese gown that is characterized by a high neck and a skirt with a slit (SHME .COM 2004 . However , present designs of the Qi Pao are different from the original designs , as it is undeniable that fashion in modern Shanghai is no longer as conservative as before . The difference in trends and styles is explained by the fact that modern Shanghai is no longer hindered by a rigid feudal society and citizens are now free to choose the designs and styles they want to wear (SHME .COM , 2004 . Indeed , the popular clothing of a certain place at a given time is shaped by the culture and history that surrounds such time . Undeniably , costumes symbolize the society and civilization of a certain population (SHME .COM , 2004

The development in Shanghai fashion manifests that it is a product of Shanghai 's development from a little coastal town into a prosperous and open international metropolis (China Culture .org , 2005

As these slides show , Shanghai fashion has always been ahead of the pack . Also , Shanghai fashion has constantly evolved . This is the reason why Shanghai is being looked upon with admiration all over the world . To illustrate , Shanghai had been at the forefront of the fashion scene since the 19th century . Indeed , enthusiasts all over the world closely followed the trends released by Shanghai (China Culture .org , 2005

As we can see , Shanghai fashion is very colorful . This is said to be the result of the influence of the combination of Eastern and Western cultures

Whenever fashion in Shanghai is the , the cheongsam cannot be left unsaid . The cheongsam is a dress that was first used by ladies in Shanghai in the 1910s . It was a tight fitting dress , which was a far cry from its predecessor , the Qi Pao , which was designed to conceal the wearer 's figure (China Culture .org , 2005

We can see that the original design of the cheongsam consisted of a broad-sleeved and baggy robe , which was originally intended to be worn by Manchurian women . This style was not changed until after the lapse of 300 years . The cheongsam...