Ancient Chinese fashion with a modern twist
Last Thursday, I felt really artsy and cultured when I wondered into the Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art Gallery in San Francisco for a fashion exhibit for the PBS documentary, “Interpreting Ancient Fashion”.
The event featured designs from the always lovely Colleen Quen and Jude Gabbard.
The two went to China’s most remote and poorest areas, the Guizhou Province, where they learned their way of life - primarily the fashion. They came back stateside and took what they learned to create stunning garments.
It was pretty much a full house of swanky metropolitan types chatting it up and drinking wine whilst enjoying the beautiful garments created by Quen and Gabbard. The crowd even had a jolt of star appeal when I spotted Emile Hirsch and Joseph Cross casually mingling with the crowd. The two are obviously in the city for the filming of Milk - at least I know Emile is. According to IMDB, Cross isn’t in the movie, but I have heard otherwise. There were no PR handlers and no formal announcement of their arrival, they were just there. Like normal people. Enjoying a regular night after work.
Come to think of it, it may have not been them at all. I may have had celebrity delusions of grandeur.
Here’s a look at the works of stylish art:
Colleen’s work:
Quen’s personal vision comes through clearly and is tinged with inspiration from her visit with the tribe. With tribal inspired decollatage matched with feminine silhouettes and an avant garde twist on traditional techniques, Quen’s pieces are stunning.
Jude’s work:
Using rice terraces as inspiration for a gorgeous blue tiered cocktail dress and a crimson prehistoric-esque textile,
Gabbard married contemporary flair with tribal intrigue.
Posted on Sunday, March 9th, 2008
Under: Bay Area Designers, Colleen Quen, Designers, Events, Fashion, International, Jude Gabbard, SF Bay Area, San Francisco, Television, Women's | 1 Comment »
