In 2006, Daughter of Shanghai was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. In a press release, the Library of Congress said B-films during the studio era often resonate decades later because they explore issues and themes not found in higher-budget pictures... Anna May Wong overcame Hollywood practice at the time of casting white actors to play Asian roles and became its first, and a leading, Asian-American movie star in the 1920s through the late 1930s. Daughter of Shanghai was more truly Wongs personal vehicle than any of her other films...

This costume was gifted by Anna May Wong to Elsa Jonsson, wife of Swedish industrialist Niss-Oskar Jonsson, founder of sporting label JOFA. The Jonssons were travelling in the U.S. and became friendly with Anna May Wong during a trip to Hollywood in the 1940s.

Anna May Wong costumes rarely appear on the auction market, in fact, only one other example of her costumes has ever appeared on the market before.