Guo Pei Dreams

Guo Pei’s spectacular gold maritime-inspired dress. There’s no sitting in this number, just smooth sailing.

If you missed the Guo Pei Exhibition over at the Bower Museum in Santa Ana, California, I am very sorry. Let’s throw out all that fashion stuff about “point-of-view” (Nina Garcia). If there isn’t a phrase that immediately stumps an artist, it’s that one. “It’s my point of view” damn it, and Guo Pei has a plethora.

If Guo Pei is a representation of what fashion is aiming for in China, then be very afraid. There is no country with the skillset and person power like China, and that’s where Guo Pei is from—resources, tons and tons of resources. It makes a little gal from Hong Kong a little jealous now that China has far surpassed the anti-fashion days of little blue caps and Chairman Mao jackets. Much of Guo Pei’s work was painstakingly done by hand. Not highlighted enough were the elaborate shoes, boots, and of course the head wear.

Guo Pei is now based in Paris alongside the other formidable fashion houses. Check out all her beautiful work at: http://www.guo-pei.fr/

Plexi-glass, feather, and beaded platforms reminiscent of the Ching Dynasty shoes.

Gilded platforms resembling armor.

Here are a couple of more highlights from my day at Bower Museum.

This was the most wearable piece, and my favorite. Notice the beaded fringe cuffs and traditional Chinese gold work embroidery. Just makes a girl swoon to see this.

Gold metallic sequin dress with a jewel encrusted shrug trimmed with mink. I love the Oscar glamour of this gown.