Actress Anne Curtis was seen in Shanghai, China, on February 15, 2026, sporting a cheongsam-inspired dress even as attending the 40th birthday celebration of her friend, Georgina Wilson.
The dress, reminiscent of those featured in Wong Kar-Wai’s 1960s film In the Mood for Love, has drawn attention to the enduring legacy of the garment and its cultural significance. The cheongsam, known as qipao in Mandarin, rose to prominence in Shanghai during the 1920s and 30s, evolving from a traditional Manchu robe into a symbol of modern Chinese femininity.
Wilson’s birthday celebrations reportedly spanned three days and included fellow actresses Solenn Heussaff and Isabel Daza, as well as other Asian socialites, according to reports. Curtis, known professionally as “The Loved One,” is among a group of friends who traveled to Shanghai for the event.
In the Mood for Love cemented the cheongsam’s status as a timeless classic, with Maggie Cheung’s character, Mrs. Chan, wearing approximately 20 custom-made qipaos throughout the film. The costumes were created by tailors including Hanyi in Shanghai and Linva Tailor in Hong Kong.
