Threading a journey through a golden past

A Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony costume designer is planning to compile a book showing off more than 100 drawings of her special creations. Mai Qing says the publication will not only record her design process, but will also be a journey through the rich clothing culture of ancient China.

Although the designer with the Beijing Dance Drama and Opera Theater worked with Li Ruding from Shanghai and Eiko Ishioka from Japan, most of the ancient costumes were her ideas. These creations included the dresses of Confucius' disciples and ladies' costumes of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907).