TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Catwalk: Pet clothing designer inspired by ancient Chinese beauties
Liu Liu is happy to spend hour upon hour being measured and dressed, and posing in tailored couture outfits and artistic designs. Liu Liu is also a cat.
Change Size
This photo taken on August 13, 2020, shows Wu Qiuqiao holding her cat Liu Liu at her house in Changsha China's central Hunan province. (AFP/Noel Celis)
L
iu Liu is a fashion designer's dream model and muse -- happy to spend hour upon hour being measured and dressed, and posing in tailored couture outfits and artistic designs. Liu Liu is also a cat.
Her doting owner, Wu Qiuqiao, makes a living from designing miniature versions of traditional flowing Chinese gowns known as "hanfu" for cats and dogs that sell for up to 500 yuan ($70).
After quitting her job as a copy editor last year, the 26-year-old works from her apartment in the central city of Changsha designing pet-sized dresses out of pastel-colored chiffon and decorated with embroidery, beads, frills and motifs that she sells online.
Liu Liu ably models the creations inspired by the historic costumes of the Han ethnic majority that are seeing a resurgence in popularity among young people -- and now pet owners.
"Some of my regulars may have already bought all the clothing in my store and occasionally ask me to introduce new designs," Wu said.
Read also: Paws for thought on International Cat Day
Wu got the idea for making historic garb for pets after failing to find suitable styles for Liu Liu.
And she clearly is not the only one who likes her furry companion dressed in something traditional.
Wu sells up to a thousand pieces a month from her online store Chunfeng Daxiaoqiao and she regularly rolls out new designs to satisfy demand.
"I think hanfu is a heritage of history, and is also very beautiful," Wu said.
"(My business) can allow people who enjoy traditional culture, or young people who enjoy hanfu... to be able to adopt ideas they like through pet clothing."
