The Feminist Roots of the Chinese Qipao

As Heather Guo strolls down the streets of Manhattan in her burgundy qipao, passersby turn their heads to catch a glimpse, as if she was a character from a Wong Kar-wai film. Meticulously hand-stitched with threads of gold and silver, her long silk qipao, a traditional Chinese dress dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912),…

These Boots Were Made for Walking (Down the Aisle)

Before Beyoncé dropped her highly anticipated “Cowboy Carter” album, or Tanner Adell, a country music singer-songwriter who also appears on Beyoncé’s album, proudly proclaimed herself a “buckle bunny,” the disco-cowboy-and-glam-western aesthetics were already making their way to bridal fashion. Pinterest predicted that western influences would be one of the biggest trends for weddings in 2024,…

The Giddy Delights of Trompe L’Oeil Candy

At the wedding banquet of King Henry IV and Joan of Navarre in 1403, showstopping sugar sculptures were carted out after each of the six courses. Some were shaped like animals; others were recreations of architectural marvels. All of them were as finely chiseled as any likeness carved from stone. Called sotelte (or “subtleties”) in…