In the Mood for Cheongsam: Modernity and Singapore Women tells the story of the changing social roles of Singapore women from the turn of the 20th century to present day by looking at the history and development of the traditional cheongsam, the female wearers, their fashion options and the economic, political and social conditions that dictate their decisions through the decades. For the first time, the National Museum presents its own collection of cheongsam from the 1920s to the present in this exhibition. On display are cheongsam which belonged to the wives of Singapore’s political leaders of yesteryear, including Mrs Benjamin Sheares, Mrs Wee Kim Wee and the late Mrs Lee Kuan Yew. Several rare 1920s and 1930s cheongsam on loan from the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Film Archives, including cheongsam which belong to famous actress Lin Dai, are also showcased in this exhibition.