Vacant - Look
Maggie Cheung's 7 most iconic costumes
From boot-style jeans to velvet slipover skirts, Wong Kar-wai's best collaborators almost represent the understated style of the '90s.
2021/04/24
In a word, Maggie Cheung is almost a true human embodiment of the word elegance. Early in her career, she was passionate about shooting the then-hit action crime films, and after frequent collaborations with director Wong Kar-wai, Maggie Cheung became not only one of the most popular actresses in Hong Kong, but also one of the most respected actresses in Hong Kong's history.
The Wonder Years, 2000
From romantic love stories in "Fancy Years" to the French theatrical film "Lost and Rob Irma Vep" to countless martial arts films, Maggie Cheung has brought a unique appeal to all her characters, not to mention her superb acting skills.
And in terms of clothing, from the classic streamlined denim to the cannes red carpet leather jacket pairing, we can see that her personal style is equally delicate.
In addition to her private wardrobe, Maggie Cheung is also the most iconic fashion actress in the Hong Kong film industry. Just like the up to 20 different styles of cheongsam in "Fancy Years" and Irma Vep's latex leggings. Here, we have selected 7 of Maggie's most iconic pieces to paint her illustrious career.
Maggie Cheung 1990
Promotional shots from the 80s
"Actually, I'm a model. Later, without knowing why, I accidentally participated in a beauty contest in Hong Kong and was then made into a movie. Since then, the film has been continuous," Maggie said at the beginning of her career.
Born in Hong Kong, Maggie Cheung grew up in the UK and ventured into modeling, where she partnered jackie Chan in the 1985 action drama "Police Officer Story", which made a breakthrough in film. In the late 1980s, she also co-produced the crime drama films "Carmen Mong Kok" and "The Legend of Ah Fei" in collaboration with Wong Kar-wai. Maggie Cheung leans back in the back seat of her motorcycle, which almost symbolizes the impression she always had in her early years, with a classic leather jacket, skinny-legged jeans and Chelsea leather boots.
Maggie Cheung and Yanfang Mei 1990
90s, with Mei Yanfang
Or that amazing jeans, this time with Hong Kong actress, Cantopop Queen Mui Yanfang. Here, we see Maggie Cheung's complex late 90s style. The turtleneck sweater worn under the shirt is a low-key layer, like Martin Margiela's whisper of tribute to Hermès. Perhaps not so coincidentally, she was on the AW98 runway just a few years later.
Maggie Cheung and Liang Chaowei 1990
Venice Film Festival, 1995
The 1994 martial arts epic "East Evil and West Poison" is the third film in which Maggie Cheung collaborated with Wong Kar-wai. With its atypical, distinctive style of traditional martial arts, the film received mixed reviews, but Wong Kar-wai still became one of the most influential directors in Hong Kong film industry with his many reputations.
Here, she attends the Venice Film Festival with Leung Chao-wai, co-star of "East Evil and West Poison" (and often a collaborator with Wong Kar-wai), wearing a 90s baby T-shirt and miniskirt with lettuce edges, a lock-button Coach bag from the era, a silver collar and (unexplored) knee-high socks, paired with Mary Jane shoes.
Maggie Cheung's signature latex set "Lost Robbery"
Olivier Assaya, The Lost Robbery, 1996
In Olivier Assayas' 1996 drama film The Lost Irma Vep, she played an actress of her own name, "Maggie Cheung," who was tasked with playing the lead role in the French film. Throughout the production, the film's protagonists wear the iconic black latex leggings, matching headband and Gothic make-up.
This classic look has become one of the most popular choices for many Western actresses nowadays.
The Fancy Years, 2000
Wong Kar-wai, "The Years of Flowers", 2000
Following the martial arts hero and the snitch of Olivier Assayas, Maggie Cheung's most memorable film characters appeared. Maggie Cheung is once again paired with Leung Chao-wai as Mrs. Chan, a couple living in Hong Kong in the mid-60s. Throughout the drama of fireworks and romance, Maggie Cheung wears 20 different cheongsams. With its gorgeous patterns and perfect cuts, these 20 cheongsams have become synonymous with the film itself, symbolizing its lush visuals and delightful atmosphere.
TONI ANNE BARSON / WIREIMAGE
Festival de Cannes, 2000
Maggie Cheung became a regular invitee at the annual French Film Festival, and at her many premieres and awards ceremonies, the actress showcased a delicate red carpet style, often using the same color combination, simple cuts and some subtle flashes. For example, at the premiere of Olivier Assayas' Clean in 2004, she wore a black dress from head to toe.
In order to attend the ceremony of the best actress award that year, she attended with a lace corset. And on the Cannes carpet that same year, she wore a worn-out leather jacket with pale yellow eugenia; surprisingly, there was even an incredibly elegant sheer dress.
At the premiere of "The Wonder Years," she incorporated her predilection for sequins and green into the very Y2K slouch made of velvet.
EVAN AGOSTINI / GETTY IMAGES
MET GALA,2007年
Maggie Cheung wore this textured dress and cute fur tunic on the red carpet of the Met Gala, and she was known for her elegance at the Cannes Film Festival. An interesting little thing was that she shared a cigarette with Charlotte Gainsbourg in the Metropolitan Museum bathroom. And for any eternal star, Maggie Cheung's dress on this famous carpet is a memorable fashion moment.