Our Story
Water Lily Silk was founded by Iris in Austin, Texas, with a simple belief: beautiful clothing can be more than something we wear—it can be a way of appreciating beauty, nature, craftsmanship, and ourselves.
Iris has always loved qipao, beautiful clothing, and, above all, silk. Among all fabrics, mulberry silk holds a special fascination for her.
There is something extraordinary about silk. It begins with something so small and delicate—a silkworm—and emerges from a natural cycle of growth and transformation. Through human ingenuity and generations of craftsmanship, this remarkable natural fiber becomes something soft, luminous, and beautiful enough to be worn against the skin.
To Iris, silk represents transformation.
It is a reminder of our ability to discover beauty in nature and, with care and imagination, transform what nature gives us into something that brings beauty into everyday life.
And the desire for beauty is deeply human.
From childhood through adulthood, across cultures and generations, we are naturally drawn to things that make us feel beautiful, inspired, and alive. Dressing beautifully is not simply about being seen by others. Sometimes, it is about taking a moment to appreciate ourselves.
That philosophy lies at the heart of Water Lily Silk.
The Qipao
Few garments have the presence of a qipao.
Its beauty comes not from excess, but from the way its silhouette, collar, lines, fabric, and details come together to celebrate the person wearing it.
A qipao can be graceful without being quiet, distinctive without being extravagant, and traditional without belonging only to the past.
We believe it deserves a place in modern life.
It may be worn to a wedding or celebration, but it can also appear at a dinner, a garden party, an afternoon gathering, or even an ordinary day at the office.
Wherever it is worn, a qipao has a remarkable ability to make its wearer stand apart.
Not because she needs to demand attention, but because she carries something distinctive.
She is appreciating her own beauty—and allowing the world to appreciate it too.
Why the Water Lily
Iris has always loved water lilies and lotus flowers, especially in summer.
Imagine an endless field of green leaves beneath the summer sun. Among them, a single flower rises quietly above the water.
It does not need to compete for attention.
Its beauty makes it unmistakable.
To us, there is something remarkably similar about a woman wearing a qipao.
At a wedding reception, across a dinner table, walking through a garden, or simply standing in the office break room, a beautiful qipao creates that same quiet distinction.
Like a flower rising among endless green leaves, she stands beautifully and unmistakably as herself.
This image became part of the spirit behind the name Water Lily Silk.
The water lily represents natural beauty, individuality, grace, and the confidence to bloom in your own way. Silk represents nature transformed through human creativity and craftsmanship.
Together, they express what we hope our clothing can offer: something beautiful from nature and tradition, reimagined for the life you live today.
Our Designs
Our approach is rooted in design, craftsmanship, and thoughtful curation.
We develop our own designs while also seeking exceptional pieces from carefully selected partners whose work reflects the quality and character we want Water Lily Silk to represent.
We pay particular attention to makers with deep experience in qipao, cheongsam, embroidery, silk, and traditional garment construction.
Some are established regional specialists. Others are smaller family workshops where techniques and knowledge have been passed from one generation to the next.
We believe these traditions should not simply be preserved behind glass.
They should be worn. They should evolve. And they should continue to be part of people's lives.
By bringing together our own designs with the work of skilled makers and workshops, we hope to help write the next chapter of this remarkable clothing tradition—one that respects its heritage while allowing it to feel natural, relevant, and beautiful today.
Why Shop With Water Lily Silk?
Thoughtful Style Curation
We are not interested in filling a store with endless basics. We look for pieces with personality—distinctive silhouettes, beautiful fabrics, thoughtful details, and designs worth remembering.
Personal Customer Service
Buying a qipao can be different from buying an ordinary dress, especially when it comes to sizing and fit. We are here to help with measurements, sizing questions, styling, and order concerns. Think of us as your personal shopping partner.
Worldwide Shipping
From our home in Austin, Texas, Water Lily Silk serves customers around the world. We work to provide practical and reliable shipping options so that beautiful designs can travel far beyond where they were created.
Clear Returns & Exchanges
Shopping online should feel comfortable. We aim to make our policies straightforward and transparent so you know what to expect before placing your order.
Real People, Real Support
Sometimes things do not go exactly as planned. A package may be delayed, a size may not feel right, or you may simply have a question. When that happens, we believe you deserve thoughtful support from a real person who cares about finding a solution.
Secure Shopping
We use trusted commerce and payment systems to help provide a safe and dependable shopping experience.
A Relationship Beyond One Dress
We hope Water Lily Silk becomes somewhere you return to—not simply because you need another dress, but because you discovered something here that made you feel especially like yourself.
Beauty, in Your Own Way
Water Lily Silk is ultimately about more than silk or qipao.
It is about our enduring relationship with beauty.
Beauty can come from nature.
It can come from centuries of craftsmanship.
It can come from a remarkable piece of fabric.
And sometimes, it comes from seeing yourself in the mirror wearing something that simply feels right.
You do not need a special occasion to appreciate your own beauty.
Whether you are walking into a wedding, sitting down for dinner, stepping into the office, or simply enjoying an ordinary summer afternoon, we hope you find something at Water Lily Silk that lets you stand a little differently.
Quietly distinctive.
Confidently yourself.
Like a water lily among endless green leaves—beautiful not because it tries to be like everything around it, but because it blooms as itself.
Questions before you order? Email support@waterlilysilk.com. Delivery times are in our Shipping Policy, and what's returnable is in our Return Policy. For fit, start with the Size Guide; verified silk pieces are gathered in the Silk Collection.