Chinatown in Three Acts
A new exhibition at the Asian American Resource Center
8401 Cameron Road, Austin, Texas
Dec 2, 2024 - April 5, 2025
Victoria in Shanghai, my first headdress designed for the Australian International Hat Competition sponsored by Hatalk Magazine. Its theme was “equilibrium” and she received an honorable mention. This was my second hat created after leaving my UK training. It represented my view on my Chinese and British upbringing, the East meeting West—down to the materials that were both hard and soft, and how my life is always about finding cultural balance even when the odds were against me. The right side of the headdress resembles a Chinese wedding crown, and the left is a modern shape representing my new home. The crown sits on a hand-wired crown base made with one piece of strong wire and wrapped in leather to create an empty space. The headdress is structured using a total of five wires. It was important for me to reinforce the piece by limiting the numbers of wire breaks in the crown. This was a real test of my engineering skills.
Chinatown in Los Angeles has a rich and layered history in California. Its prime was arguably in the 1970s when it became a vibrant backdrop for first-generation Chinese Americans like myself. We often found ourselves caught between the “old ways” our parents clung to and the new, integrated identities we were shaping for ourselves. Like any young girl, I dreamed of the future with wide-eyed wonder, drawn to American food, music, and fashion.
Some of the hats on display in this exhibition reflect my early designs when my art was still a journey of self-discovery. Millinery, both as an art form and a craft has allowed me to embrace the complexities of my upbringing—a Chinese American straddling two worlds, never quite fitting fully into either. Yet, my love for Western styles is evident, especially in my designs for weddings and celebrations. Still, no matter how "Westernized" I may become, I can't shake off the kitsch and whimsy that growing up in Chinatown instilled in me; it’s a unique culture all its own—a world within a world.
This exhibition, "Chinatown in Three Acts," invites viewers to explore these intersecting worlds and the ways they have shaped me as an artist. Each hat tells a story of navigating identity, culture, and creativity in a space that is both personal and universal.
Please inquire directly by email or fill out the form here: https://www.themadduchess.com/requests if you are interested in purchasing any of these hats and headpieces currently on exhibition. You can reserve or commission your hat with a deposit. The commission process begins with an email, then telephone call, followed by two in-person or online meeting.
ACT I
Highlights my Western influences, drawn from the glamour of film, television, and grand events like weddings, galas, and even the Academy Awards. I’ve always been mesmerized by anything that sparkles. Western weddings, in particular, captivated me. The use of white, a color traditionally associated with mourning in Chinese culture, transformed into a symbol of celebration, fascinated me. This collection reflects that transformation, where I explore the interplay between the old and the new.
ACT II
Act II embodies all that is Chinatown and the new identity I adopted after leaving Hong Kong for Los Angeles. This act is filled with the kitsch and whimsy reminiscent of a gift shop and the magic of Chinatown itself—built for both tourists and locals alike. It's neon signs, dangling lanterns, and the vibrancy of Chinese New Year parades, many of which I’ve danced and participated in. These hats capture the essence of my “little girl” self, brimming with festive memories and imagination.
Act Three features my showstopper headpieces. The idea of creating bold, attention-grabbing pieces felt daring in a world where I was often taught to be quiet and not stand out. Yet, I couldn’t help but embrace the audacity of these designs. The hats in this collection don’t just speak for themselves; they speak for me. They are my yearnings to be heard and seen, coming to life through art.
Exhibition Photos
An image of me (in purple) performing the ribbon dance with my Chinese folk dance group called “The Blue Heaven Dancers.” I was about 16 years old at the time. We performed in many places around Los Angeles communities, especially during the Lunar New Year celebration month. (This image is from my personal collection.)
An image of Los Angeles Chinatown in the late 70s. Hong Kong Low restaurant was owned by Bill Hong’s family, a great man devoted to community service. These gift shops and the restaurant no longer exists, but this image captures the very best times of the Chinatown of my youth. (Permission for this image provided by the Los Angeles Chinatown Historical Society.)
My exhibition would not be complete without a picture of my parents, the pair that started it all. My father was the town acupuncturist and one of the founding fathers of acupuncture in America. My mother, pictured here at 14 years old, was a woman before her time, and born with great resilience despite all the sorrows that often affected women of her generation. (This image is from my personal collection.)
Please inquire directly by email or fill out the form here: https://www.themadduchess.com/requests if you are interested in purchasing any of these hats and headpieces currently on exhibition. You can reserve or commission your hat with a deposit. The rest of the available hats will be listed in my shop in April for sale to the general public. The commission process begins with an email, then telephone call, followed by two in-person or online meeting.