Palace’s architectural legacies meet Chinese fashion in Singapore

The exhibition Elegance and Style: A Dialogue between Prince Kung's Palace Museum and Chinese Fashion Culture (1780-2024) opened on Tuesday at the China Cultural Centre in Singapore.

The first thematic exhibition of its kind, it uses the palace's historic architecture as a narrative thread and clothing as a medium to showcase modern Chinese designers' reinterpretations of traditional culture.

Under the visionary guidance of renowned curator Xu Ning, and brought to life through ARCHIEE's evocative spatial design, the exhibition presents a journey through four immersive chapters.  

Visitors are first transported back in time, witnessing the grandeur of Kunqu Opera performances held within the palace walls over two centuries ago. The narrative then gracefully transitions to the palace's architectural splendor and vibrant cultural life, reimagined through the lens of contemporary Chinese fashion designs.

Iconic costumes meticulously crafted by Laurence Xu, employing time-honored techniques, provide an intimate glimpse into the decorative motifs and botanical elements adorning the palace, epitomizing the exquisite sophistication of Chinese aesthetics. 

The exhibition culminates in a curated showcase of works by esteemed Chinese fashion designers, celebrating the dynamic innovation shaping contemporary Chinese fashion, deeply rooted in the nation's rich cultural heritage.

Embracing the spirit of good fortune, the exhibition invites visitors to discover the auspicious symbolism woven throughout Prince Kung's Palace. In Chinese culture, the bat (蝠, "fú") is a homophone for blessing (福), making the palace renowned as a place of "ten thousand blessings" due to its intricate bat motifs. As they explore, they are encouraged to uncover 99 unique bat designs, each concealing a special "blessing" for them to take home and cherish.

The exhibition, bridging Chinese and Western cultural perspectives, offers international audiences a shared visual and emotional experience of China's rich cultural heritage by demonstrating the distinct charm of the country's aesthetics.

The exhibition will run until Jan 5.