My Journey with the Cheongsam
A journey born of fascination
Born and raised in Hong Kong, I grew up surrounded by a city alive with energy, movement and tradition. Its cultural contrasts have shaped the way I see the world and continue to influence my approach to photography, which I have pursued professionally since 2016, specializing in portraits and weddings.
I have always been drawn to old Hong Kong — its nostalgic objects, timeless aesthetics and the stories they hold. The cheongsam is one of them. I have long been fascinated by its elegant silhouette and graceful lines, and often invited my photography clients to wear one for their portraits.
One day, a simple thought crossed my mind: Why not learn to make one myself?
That thought changed the course of my journey.
In 2019, I began learning traditional Hong Kong-style cheongsam-making from experienced masters. Having never touched a sewing machine before, completing my very first cheongsam was an indescribable feeling. What began as curiosity grew into a lasting passion, and I came to appreciate craftsmanship as an art that demands patience, precision and devotion. I continue to practise and refine my skills today.
In 2021, the Hong Kong Cheongsam Making Technique was inscribed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of China. This deepened my appreciation of what I had been learning: it was far more than a sewing technique; it was a living legacy.
Today, from my home studio in Burnaby, Canada, I bring together my two creative pursuits — tailoring and photography. Through my work, I hope to carry this legacy forward, crafting each cheongsam with devotion and artistry while celebrating the beauty of the garment and the individuality of the person wearing it.
我的長衫之旅
一段源於著迷的旅程
我在香港出生、成長。這座充滿活力、節奏與傳統交織的城市，塑造了我看待世界的方式，也深深影響著我的攝影風格。自 2016 年起，我便投身人像及婚禮攝影，透過鏡頭記錄人物與故事。
我一直對老香港的一切情有獨鍾，那些充滿懷舊氣息的物件、歷久彌新的美學，以及它們背後承載的故事，都令我著迷。長衫，正是其中之一。它優雅的輪廓、流暢的線條，一直深深吸引著我。因此，在拍攝人像時，我也經常邀請客人穿上長衫，展現別具韻味的美。
有一天，我心裡突然浮現一個念頭：
「不如自己學做一件吧！」
這個簡單的想法，竟成為我人生中一個重要的轉捩點。
2019 年，我開始跟隨香港經驗豐富的長衫師傅學習傳統香港式長衫的剪裁與製作。從從未碰過縫紉機，到親手完成人生第一件長衫，那份難以言喻的感動，至今仍然深刻。隨著學習日漸深入，我對這門手藝的興趣與欣賞也愈發深厚。我漸漸明白，製作長衫不僅是一種縫紉技術，更是一門講求耐心、精準與心思的藝術。時至今日，我仍持續練習、鑽研，不斷精進自己的手藝。
2021 年，香港長衫製作技藝列入中國國家級非物質文化遺產名錄。這讓我更加深刻地體會到，自己所學的不僅是一門製衣技術，更是一份承載著文化與歲月的傳承。
如今，在本拿比的家中工作室裡，我將裁縫與攝影這兩份熱愛結合起來。透過每一件親手製作的長衫，我希望以匠心與美感延續這份傳承，同時展現長衫本身的優雅，以及每一位穿上它的人所獨有的氣質與美麗。