Abstract: The paper defines and classifies modern qipao (traditional Chinese women’s gown), puts forward the principles of designing modern qipao, redesigns the overall silhouettes and certain locations by using different design methods such as transfer, segmentation and exaggeration. It also discusses how to improve and renovate modern qipao on the basis of retaining the essence of traditional qipao and how to design novel, modern qipao styles by using modern and innovative design methods, offering reliable and valuable reference to the innovative design of modern qipao silhouettes.

Key words: modern qipao; silhouette; innovative design