Guo Pei's Revolutionary Exhibition: "Couture Beyond" at SCAD FASH Museum
Photo from SCAD FASH
After 4 months since the opening of Guo Pei's exhibition in October, finally seeing the magic that is haute couture was nothing short of an adventure.
Entering the royally golden lit room filled with sweet, charming music, each design stood it's ground as it was nearly impossible to choose just one look to explore.
Once getting over the first fashiongasmic impression, getting an intimate view of each design became an adventure full of revolutionary tales and inspiring stories of Guo Pei's journey to becoming the first Chinese national designer invited to join the prestigious Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.
Most of Guo Pei's designs are inspired by stories from dynasties in China from a thousand years ago. Perhaps her most popular dress, the bright, yellow cape gown worn by Rihanna at the Met Gala, represents the color that only emperors were allowed to wear during the Cultural Revolution.
She also uses a lot of dragon symbols in her work, fighting against a system that reserved such symbols only for royalty.
Pei is also the pioneer who brought back the embroidery business back to life in China as she broke through the ceiling that had been set by the government banning any such work. Now, she employs more than 500 workers at her fashion house in Paris, 300 of those being embroiders, helping to stitch 24k silver threads into her creations. Some of them are there to help hand paint the dresses.
“I am like an author with my clothes; I like to tell a romantic story, a fairy tale,” says Guo Pei according to SCAD.
The sense of royalty and wonderland dripped off of each detail on the pieces; 30 in total. Generally, it takes two years to make each piece. With a team of five people, of course.
After two hours of gasping and gushing, it was time to leave the fairytale and enter into the real world. If only it was possible to try on one of the dresses and know what it's like to feel so prestigious. But one thing available to take home for sure was Guo Pei's inspiring message of embracing one's cultural heritage and creating art from all aspects of life.
Fun fact: The pieces were shipped from China on a boat, and came in big enough boxes to fit the 7 ft mannequins.
The exhibit will run until March 4, more info here!
