Lecture Series | Guo Pei: Fashion & Influence Lecture #3 — Made in China: From Exotic Allure to Controversy

6–7pm

event Details

Immerse yourself in the exquisite world of haute couture and the creative genius of Guo Pei in this lecture series. Embark on a captivating journey through the world of fashion with four experts as they discuss the intersection of fashion, art and culture, discovering valuable insights into haute couture and the cultural narratives that have shaped Guo Pei’s artistic vision and unique creations.

Tickets are sold to each lecture individually so pick your favourite or come to all.

Lecture #3: Made in China: From Exotic Allure to Controversy

Grace Lai, Tue 23 Apr 6–7pm

The rapid flood of fast fashion dominating digital screens has gained both worshippers and condemners. It presents a contentious arena where celebration of accessibility and self-expressions are pit against criticisms of poor-quality and unethical production. The accusations flung at fast fashion are also targeted at the seemingly innocuous phrase printed on their care label – Made in China. This synonymous association contributes to the negative misconception of Chinese made products and suggests a dearth of Chinese fashion. This lecture looks to disrupt the superficial perception that China’s contributions to fashion exists only a factory of cheap imitations through the lens of Guo Pei’s enchanting creations that draw upon the legacy of Chinese innovation in fabrication and exquisite craftsmanship.

 

Image credits: Guo Pei, Legend of the Dragon collection, 2012. © Guo Pei. Courtesy of Guo Pei. | Grace Lai photo by Charlotte Turne

Date

6-7pm

Location
Auditorium, Lower Ground
Cost
Members $15, Non-Members $18 (+ fees)
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Guided by curiosity, Grace Lai is an art historian and curator interested in uncovering stories held by objects overlooked or dismissed by history. Positioning material culture as a decoder of the immaterial, her research seeks to untangle the complex web of connections, histories and social structures inherited by objects in the hopes to address issues that remain relevant to not only museums and their collections but also to society today. Grace has published extensively on contemporary craft, with a focus on studio glass, jewellery, textiles, and surface design. Currently, Grace is the Curator of Applied Arts & Design at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum where she leads the exhibition, development, and research of a nationally significant archive of craft from Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad.

 

<p>Lecture #1: Chairman Mao and Chinese Fashion</p> <p>Paul Clark, Tue 5 Mar 6&ndash;7pm</p> <p>Chinese fashion underwent a revolution in the 20th century, from the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911 to the times of Chairman Mao Zedong. From the 1920s to 1940s, clothing styles associated with scholars and Western-style schools became standardised.&nbsp;In cosmopolitan Shanghai, women&rsquo;s clothing took on a stylish new look associated with modernity and glamour, as exemplified by&nbsp;Chinese film stars.&nbsp;Fashion developments did not end after the founding of the People&rsquo;s Republic in 1949. The notion that everyone from 1949 to 1978 was in so-called Mao suits and genderless clothing is a myth; dresses, skirts, and stylish touches remained a way for women to quietly express themselves. When Pierre Cardin arrived in China in 1979, there was much to inspire him.</p> <p><a href="https://www.aucklandartgallery.com/whats-on/event/lecture-series-or-guo-pei-fashion-and-influence-lecture-1-chairman-mao-and-chinese-fashion">LEARN MORE</a></p>

Lecture #1: Chairman Mao and Chinese Fashion

Paul Clark, Tue 5 Mar 6–7pm

Chinese fashion underwent a revolution in the 20th century, from the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1911 to the times of Chairman Mao Zedong. From the 1920s to 1940s, clothing styles associated with scholars and Western-style schools became standardised. In cosmopolitan Shanghai, women’s clothing took on a stylish new look associated with modernity and glamour, as exemplified by Chinese film stars. Fashion developments did not end after the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. The notion that everyone from 1949 to 1978 was in so-called Mao suits and genderless clothing is a myth; dresses, skirts, and stylish touches remained a way for women to quietly express themselves. When Pierre Cardin arrived in China in 1979, there was much to inspire him.

LEARN MORE