Custom qipao-Photos for Dragon Seed Bridal & Photography

As San Jose State's homecoming week was approaching, I searched all over the Bay Area for a custom qipao for the ceremony. On the last weekend before homecoming week, I tirelessly drove to Newark, San Jose, and Oakland all day to find a dress. 1 hour before closing, I called Dragon Seed asking if they had any ready-to-wear qipaos, and the shop tailor answered yes!! By the time I reached the store, it was 30 minutes till closing- and I saw the store owner patiently waiting for me outside. Both the tailor and shop owner helped show me a variety of cheongsams to choose from, and I found the perfect dress.

Due to the rise Anti-Asian hate and the COVID-19 pandemic, many shops that sell Chinese traditional clothing have closed down. Even before the pandemic, Asian immigrant owned shops continued to face criticisms of their accents or way of running their store. The couple that owns Dragon Seed have been an integral part of the Chinese American community, and well appreciated by American born Chinese (ABC)s like myself. Please take the time to support this historical shop and appreciate Chinese culture. Without shops like these, it would be a missing piece to the Chinese American community. This store continues to run despite the rampant violence and hate against older Asian community members to help serve and share their culture. Please support and stop by whenever you get the chance!