Huang Huilan

Huang Huilan. [Photo: People.com.cn]

Huang Huilan (1893-1993), married to the renowned Chinese diplomat Wellington Koo, made her name in the western world as Madame Wellington Koo or Hui-lan Koo for her adaptations of traditional Manchu fashion, which she wore with lace trousers and jade necklaces. She was regarded as a representative of oriental fashion and, for a while, enjoyed almost the same popularity as Madame Chiang did in the European and American social circles. It is said that Huang was once considered as the best Chinese female dresser instead of Madame Chiang by Vogue.