Prince Kung’s Palace Museum has launched its first major fashion exhibition, transforming the historic complex into a living canvas where traditional Chinese aesthetics dialogue with contemporary design. Curated by Xu Ning with exhibition design by ARCHIEE, the showcase employs the palace’s architectural spaces as narrative threads, presenting four meticulously crafted chapters that reinterpret cultural heritage through modern fashion.
Chapter 1: “Dreaming of the Capital”
The exhibition opens with a theatrical immersion into the palace’s 19th century Kunqu opera performances, where holographic projections of Qing dynasty performers interact with avant-garde costume designs. This multimedia prologue establishes the exhibition’s central theme – temporal dialogue between historical artistry and modern interpretation.
Chapter 2: “Aristocratic Refinement”
Moving through the palace’s moon gates and winding corridors, visitors encounter 28 contemporary ensembles that translate traditional architectural elements – from lattice windows to roof ornaments – into wearable art. A standout piece deconstructs the “leaning rainbow” roof beams into a dramatic silhouette using 3D-printed textiles.
Chapter 3: “Golden Splendor”
The exhibition centerpiece showcases Laurence Xu’s collaboration with the museum, featuring twelve couture pieces incorporating intangible cultural heritage techniques. One gown embroidered with palace mural motifs required 1,887 hours of handwork, its gold threads tracing the exact patterns found in the palace’s Grand Study.
Chapter 4: “Contemporary Echoes”
The final section presents works from sixteen emerging designers, including a dress woven with nano-fiber “ivory” that changes transparency to mimic four seasons, and a modular outfit inspired by traditional scholar’s rocks that visitors can rearrange.
Interactive “Bat Fortune” Experience
Celebrating the palace’s famed bat motifs (symbolizing good fortune), the exhibition features a digital installation where visitors “capture” 99 virtual bat designs through augmented reality. Each design unlocks historical anecdotes about the palace, with participants receiving 3D-printed bat pendants containing their selected pattern – a literal embodiment of “taking fortune home.” Early data shows 92% visitor participation in this innovative cultural engagement activity.
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