Non-refundable rental is payable upon confirmation of reservation. Refundable deposit to be paid upon collection of item(s).

Qun Gua (Kwa)

The Qun Gua (群褂) or widely known as the Kwa among the Cantonese is a traditional Chinese wedding dress popular among the Chinese, particularly in southern China. The Qun (群) is the long skirt, while the Gua (褂) refers to the Chinese-style top coat. The customary Chinese bridal Qun Gua (群褂) symbolizes the abundance of children (儿女成群).

Its origins can be traced to the Manchu attire during Qing Dynasty. Premier Liang Chu had assisted the young Emperor ZhengDe to ascend the throne and manage the state affairs. When the Emperor heard of Liang Chus daughters marriage, he bestowed on her a suit of dragon and phoenix kwa as part of her dowry. In olden China, only the Emperor and Empress or members of the imperial family can use the dragon and phoenix motifs. Commoners are not allowed the use the motifs, else they will be deemed as committing treason. Liang Chu gratefully brought the Emperors gift back to his hometown in Guangzhou for his daughter to wear on her wedding day. This customary attire which the Cantonese popularized has been retained till today.

The Qun Gua is an auspicious bright red gown (red is considered a colour of strength and good luck) elaborately adorned with exquisite embroidery or beading of floral and rejoicing dragon and phoenix (龙凤吉祥) motifs symbolizing eternal love (吉祥sounds like情长 in Cantonese) and the balance of yin (female) and yang (male) according to the Chinese culture. According to customs, the colours and combinations of the kwa varies with the persons rank and seniority in the family. Traditionally, only the first wife (正室元配) can wear the red colour kwa. The elders can wear either all black, deep red or black coat with red skirt. Other colours such as pink or peach are used by the concubines (填房) in the olden days.

The below Qun Kwas are available for rental for studio photography or actual day wedding. Availability are on a first-come-first serve basis.

 

Elaborate embroidery and beading of auspicious mythical dragon and phoenix to bless the couple a happy and blissful marriage.

Accessories to complement the Qun Gua (Kwa)

For the love of your life the story of love the beginning journey of a lifetime of happiness