From its earliest history, wealthy Chinese men and women wore elaborate gowns and other clothing made of bright fabrics adorned with dragons, flowers, birds and other noble symbols. Paintings of empresses and emperors often depict them wearing colorful, beautiful, silk gowns and jackets. During the 1920s, the stylish and often tight-fitting "cheongsam," that is best known as the traditional Chinese dress, was 

created in Shanghai and made fashionable by socialites and upper class women. In 
1929, the cheongsam was formally designated by the National Republic of China to be one of the national dresses. These gowns, from the early 1930s, exhibit beautiful decorative and stylish designs, as well as functionality with the use of quilted textile. Today, updated versions of the cheongsam are still worn by many high-level officials, movie stars, and others to parties and formal events.