Couture Makes History

It isn’t a recent movement that the East has become the ‘it’ place to find new and inspiring designs. But now, it seems that high-end designers, like Monsieur Dior, have taken the path of transcending their fashionable works into living pieces of art history- China being a good place to start.

John Galliano explored several small cities in and around Beijing and used locals as extras, incorporating them in a photo shoot. Quentin Shih, Chinese photographer, used the opportunity to portray the contrasts between the designs of couture and the history of China.

Each is evident and sharp, but I can’t imagine a better way to bring them both alive. Even in the picture above, by Quentin Shih, he not only highlights the designs of Dior, but draws on the unavoidable and daunting Chinese backdrop, fueling a fire which could grow even brighter between Dior’s fashions and his own native Chinese culture.

It seems that we are only at the beginning of a new movement, which could possibly make a huge impact on histories- including gallery walls. Within a short time we just might be trying to fight the masses at museums not only to learn about history, but their portrayal through designers and their creations. Now that would be an exhibit worth a visit.

The showcase of Christian Dior and Chinese Arts has been premiering at the Ullenes Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing since November 15^th, 2008.