Pan-African fashion designer, Ophelia Crossland is representing Africa at the 2019 Qipao Invitational Exhibition at the National Silk Museum, Hangzhou City, China. The 2019 theme, “Weddings” will explore the style, techniques, and ideas behind creating wedding dresses from all over the world. A veteran fashion designer from Ghana, Crossland was selected alongside 9 other designers from the UK, France, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Japan after a rigorous submission process in June of this year.

The selection makes her the first designer in the continent to showcase at the annual event which is a hotbed for tourists and cultural anthropologists from all over the world. Speaking to the media about the announcement, Ophelia Okyere-Darko, Creative Director of Ophelia Crossland expressed her thoughts about the selection.

It gives me great joy and excitement to tell Ghana’s cultural story through a multifaceted lens focusing on Africa on such a huge platform, I believe this is a matter of pride and honor for myself and the continent as a whole

Ophelia Crossland uses the famous Kente and other indigenous fabrics sourced from Africa as well as other advanced techniques in fashion design to create the Qipao.

“For me, Kente represents the country best and so when we were asked to take up the Qipao challenge, I had no option than to use the intricately woven Kente and it kept really well,” She added.

 

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The opening ceremony at the China National Silk Museum yesterday . We ❤️China We ❤️Chinese Qipao Chinese Qipao Multi-constructed Qipao Maxi Gown with a narrow Skirt made with Ghanaian Kente , Chinese Silk , Bold Roses Appliqués hand stitched and Crystals from Swarovski to give it the Shimmer look. A detailed Tunic neckline with Chinese Buttons We love the play of Patterns, Fabrics, Colors and detailed embellishments to create this enhanced version of the Chinese Qipao representing us at the exhibition being held at the China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou 2019 ❤️❤️❤️ A Very Special Thank you to the Ophelia Crossland Team for the endless love in creating this Masterpiece . Photography: @paakwayc Videography: @grandeaglemotion Kente @goba_kente RawSilk and red lace @sarahsfabric #opheliacrossland #opheliacrosslanddiaries #opheliacrosslandcouture #opheliacrosslandbride #madeinghana #chineseqipao #hangzhoucity #china #qipaomodern #qipaopremium #crystalsfromswarovski

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The Global Qipao Invitational Exhibition begins on the 22nd Of September and will last for a month. Its aim is to provide cross-boundary interactions between culture and tourism, tradition, fashion, art, and life.

It is hosted by the China National Silk Museum, the leading fashion located close to the famous West Lake in Hangzhou, China. The Gallery is currently the only institution with a permanent fashion gallery in the world housing a collection of over 40,000 pieces of Western and Chinese textile productions spanning over 4000 years of human creativity.

The Qipao/Cheongsam is the most representative form of traditional costumes for Chinese women. It’s stand up collar and tight-fitting has caught the attention of the fashion world for decades and a trend still popular among Chinese women. An accomplished fashion designer, who has been in the industry for over 16 years, Ophelia Crossland is not new to global events such as this. In 2017, she was selected by an international Jewelry brand, Swarovski as its West African brand ambassador and selected to showcase at the Global Exposé in Dubai.

She’ll be representing Ghana and the African continent at the Exhibition.