China was put under the spotlight earlier this year with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “China: Through the Looking Glass” exhibition, which has been extended to September 7, 2015. Remember the famous yellow dress Rihanna rocked at the Met Gala? That was by none other than Chinese couturier Guo Pei who has some of her best pieces in the Met Museum exhibition and currently has another show at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs in Paris, which includes the famous Rihanna dress. Already considered a legend in China, Guo has since received newfound international attention.
But Guo isn’t the only Chinese couture designer that is stepping out on the international stage. Ten of China’s fashion talents are presenting their designs in Paris as part of an exhibition at the multi-brand store Les Suites on Rue Pierre Charron until July 10. The presentation is then set to travel to high-end stores around the world to help introduce Chinese culture.
Many of the designs in the show are elaborate and full of traditional Chinese symbolism. This includes a hand-painted silk and gold-embroidered dress by Ne Tiger, whose founder and art director Tiger Zhang has been dressing Chinese celebrities and politicians for 30 years.
To go with Ne Tiger’s beautiful gowns are shoes from SHEME. Footwear entrepreneur Linda Liu began designing the exquisite high heels 28 years ago to compensate for her tiny stature. The brand’s creations are all hand-embroidered and made-to-measure.
Another veteran of the fashion industry presenting her work is former model Ma Yanli with her brand Mary Ma. Hailed as China’s first star designer, Ma strives to “bring real Chinese culture to the world, for all the people in the world to appreciate and understand.” With China’s 5,000 years of cultural heritage, she hope it may become well-integrated in modern fashion.
