Maarimaia's May Tan is intent on taking the traditional garment forward

Maarimaia's May Tan is intent on taking the traditional garment forward. photos: ART CHEN/The Star

For the coming Lunar New Year, May Tan was inspired to create a modern take on the traditional qipao, making it relevant to these contemporary times. While she acknowledges the beauty of those that are reminiscent of the film In The Mood For Love, her focus is to take the traditional garment forward.

“The collection is called modern orient,” she explains. “I wanted to put out a collection that is contemporary to our times and not dated. Sometimes I add on more architectural sleeves, sometimes exaggerated ruffles and sometimes it is asymmetrical. Basically, it is a modern take on the classic cheongsam.”