Guo Pei: Couture Beyond is the first Canadian exhibition devoted to the work of Guo Pei, China’s preeminent couturière.
Photo: SCAD
While this dress garnered a ton of attention online following the 2015 Met Gala, most commentators failed to notice the brilliant, creative mind behind this now iconic garment.
Guo Pei is an internationally celebrated fashion designer known for her ornate, whimsical and innovate designs, many of which feature intricate embroidery, costly materials and references to Chinese mythology and spirituality. You can explore the life and work of this influential fashion designer at the Vancouver Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, Guo Pei: Couture Beyond, on now until January 20, 2019.
One Thousand and Two Nights,” 2010 (detail), silk jacket embellished with embossed metal; bodice embellished with crystals, gems, beads, sequins and copper appliqués; harem trousers embroidered with copper wire and embellished with crystals, Photo: SCAD
Well before Rihanna’s 2015 moment, Guo Pei had effectively put Chinese couture on the map, becoming the second born-and-raised Asian designer to be invited to become a guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, the governing body for the French fashion industry. She has collaborated with MAC Cosmetics, dressed some of the biggest stars in the world and was listed as one of the World's 100 Most Influential People by TIME Magazine.
According to Vanity Fair, Rihanna’ exquisite yellow “cape dress” was the accumulation of 50,000 hours of work over two years, all of which was done by hand. This however, is the norm for Guo Pei’s incredible design collections.
Photo: Vancouver Art Gallery
Guo Pei: Couture Beyond features a selection of the couturière’s most majestic works, resulting in 40 complete looks over this mid-career survey, taking from Guo Pei’s most iconic runways from 2006 to 2017.
Photo: Vancouver Art Gallery
In each stunning creation, Guo Pei combines contemporary aesthetics, production methods and materials with ancient tradition, evoking Chinese history in her craft techniques, fabric selection and imagery. The exhibition provides a comprehensive overview of her evolution as a designer as well as her contribution to global fashion culture.
It’s a truly phenomenal exhibition, and she makes her own accessories too - just wait until you see the shoes!
You can purchase tickets for Guo Pei: Couture Beyond HERE.
Photo: Vancouver Art Gallery
Guo Pei: Couture Beyond
When: Through January 20, 2019
Where:Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St)
