As a Chinese adoptee, it has been an ongoing journey and often a struggle to learn more about my birth culture. At times, I envied those who were raised within it, those who spoke what should have been my mother tongue, or those who looked more Chinese than myself.
One of the ways I have always wanted to “be more Chinese” is by connecting to Chinese fashion specifically, a traditional dress, qipao (also known as cheongsam). This style of Chinese dress was developed in the early 1910s-1920s and has since become popularised among socialites, high society, and Westernised early 2000s and 2010s pop culture.
I had not purchased a qipao since I was on a homeland tour in 2009 and to say I grew up, is an understatement. I grew up and grew out of child’s clothing and was left unsure of where to purchase an adult sized qipao. I wanted to, but had no idea who, where, how, to buy one.
However, in 2024, I had a unique modelling opportunity and upon receiving the lineup, I saw Beth and Brian Qipao. Since I was on island for a few more days, I decided, as a fan and a Chinese-American who sought Chinese connection, to reach out to this local shop and there they met me with excitement and not only took care of me in terms of style, sizing, and encouragement, they supported my two model friends!
The “diasporic” feeling of transracial (or interracial) adoptees overlaps with cultural losses leaving me in a position of desire to be part of the culture without culturally appropriating myself and birth culture.
Not only are these beautifully designed, Beth and Brian Qiapo have a wide variety in sizes that go from XS to XXXXL. As a typical small/medium in US sizing, the chinese sizing takes no victims. As a 5”3, small/medium, size 6 USW, I am a size XL or XXL when wearing Beth and Brian Qipao!
@mxmikaela featuring
@bethandbrianqipao
Cover image by
@alt_nero
#aapiheritagemonth #adopteevoices
![Back at it with the black hair MODEL STATSHeight 65”Bust 39”Waist 32”Hips 40”Dress 6 USWShoe 7.5 USWHair Black/[ends] dyedEyes Dark BrownBody Art YesRace AsianGender Agender and femmeAge 1997MODEL SPECIALTIES e-commerce bridal model makeup model workshop model trade show, promotional model, showroom editorial brand modelEXPERIENCE@axelmakeupacademy@elitesecretsbridal@bookalooker@studio_40e@viltrox.usaBILD 2025 with @bh.creators @sonyalphaDM me to book or if you have any question! @mxmikaela (freelance model) @vision_thru_the_lens#DMVModel #ModelPhotographer #AsianRepresentation #modelcompcard #zedcard #freelancemodel](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6729592732346567636852_0_5d4273c2446cda57f7665bdcde755bbf.jpg?o=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&h=ab7d2360c0e9341aaea1f6e13414e64a)
![This year’s @caseadopt gala marks my one year as a member of the Emerging Leaders Council (est. 2020) and let me tell you what an immersive and learning experience this past year has been.As an Emerging Leader, we work with the C.A.S.E. Board of Directors and staff on various activities by giving recommendations, participate in public speaking events, sharing written pieces, fundraising, and volunteering at events and teen groups — all focusing and aligning to the adoption, foster, and kinship care communities.Over the last 365 days, I’ve spoken on a numerous panels like the virtual staff retreat panel, Voices of Experience, [reconnected with] LAB School), volunteered at KAN, shared “An A+ Adoptee,” and supported 2 in-person teen groups!As I continue to put names and emails to faces it is with great pleasure to share that I will be supporting Catey (Chair), as co-chair this coming year! I am excited to see where ELs will grow within the organization and how we continue to support Center for Adoption Support and Education with our lived experience and expertise.Current Emerging Leaders: Catey, Myself, Emily, Zoe B, Zoe, E, and Margaret. If you’re interested in joining or learning more, please visit /emerging-leadersThank you to everyone at C.A.S.E. who helped bring this year’s gala to life. We can’t wait to meet Casey! And finally, congratulations to Tony P. for joining the Board of Directors.Photos by @annmarievantassallEmcee @mrtommymcflyMusical Guest @mbthompsonsingsWearing: @bethandbrianqipao || use code “mxmikaela” for a little discount!#adopteevoices #empoweredvoicesbrighterfutures #casegala2026](https://sp1.picnob.com/p/pt_6739332725142149131742_0_fc5f49a070ffb05658a99cc2df4da8c7.jpg?o=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&h=95e05235e28818ac00792ff865d9767c)
