Jim Nolan's Blog

Fashion Designer Brenda Lo, 1922-2019

Brenda Lo, an immigrant from China who designed gorgeous cheongsam dresses and unique Hawaiian shirts in Honolulu and San Francisco, passed away on September 12. She was an artist, entrepreneur, and someone way ahead of her time. Her story is below. Thank you, Brenda, for sharing it. You can also see more of Brenda's work by following this thread.

 

Brenda Lo, America's Brilliant Cheongsam Dress Designer

 

Big debate currently going on about appropriateness of wearing a cheongsam dress to the prom. Here is a short film about the inspiring fashion pioneer Brenda Lo, who designed stunning cheongam/qipao dresses for beauty pageants in the 1950s and 1960s. Brenda emigrated from Shanghai, first to Honolulu and then San Francisco, where she still lives. You can see more of her work here. I can't believe Brenda isn't famous. 

1950's United Air Lines Hawaii Luggage Sticker

I found this in an box of old photos the other day. I love the little envelope the luggage sticker and Via Mail Mail stickers came in. I don't think they had every been removed, until I scanned them. You can watch a short video about my parents' life in 1950's Hawaii here. You can watch a short video about my friend Brenda Lo's experience as a fashion designer in 1950's Hawaii here. And see photos of her drop-dead gorgeous Cheongsam dresses here. 

Designer Brenda Lo Practicing Calligraphy

Photo credit: Brenda Lo Collection

I believe this shot is from the 1940s. 

You can see a short video about Brenda here. 

Film Still with Brenda Lo Dress

 

Photo credit: Brenda Lo Collection

Great dress, great shot. 

Narcissus Festival Pageant with Brenda Lo Cheongsam Dresses, 1950s Honolulu

Photo credit: Brenda Lo Collection

Most if not all of these dresses are Brenda's. 

 

Honolulu Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce Narcissus Festival Organizers, 1950s

Photo credit: Brenda Lo Collection. Click to enlarge. 

Winner's dress by Brenda Lo. Also dress to winner's left. 

Brenda Lo Cheongsam Dress, 1950s

Photo credit: Brenda Lo Collection. Click to enlarge. 

Brenda Lo Cheongsam Dress, 1950s

Photo credit: Brenda Lo Collection. Click to enlarge.

Contestant #1.

Brenda Lo Cheongsam Dress, 1950s

Photo Credit: Brenda Lo Collection. Click to enlarge.

Contestant #8.