In a unique showcase, Singapore’s Asian Civilization Museum has displayed some of Chinese couturier Guo Pei’s iconic designs as part of its exhibition on Chinese art. The visually-stunning exhibition is the first fashion-centric showcase by the museum.

Titled "Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture", it highlights the juxtaposition between Chinese historical art and the designer’s contemporary dresses.

The 29 dresses on display include the “Yellow Queen” – the iconic cape worn by Rihanna to the 2015 Met Gala, an event which truly saw Guo Pei gain global recognition. 

"I came across a stunning image of the Chinese celebrity, Angelababy on her wedding day. And I thought the designer must have seen something very similar in our collection. So, the museum emailed her and corresponded with her and was surprised and delighted to find upon further correspondence that she had actually seen that very piece in our collection," said Jackie Yoong, curator of Asian Fashion and Textiles & Peranakan Art at the Asian Civilizations Museum.

"So, we spoke very excitedly about reuniting the pieces in our collection as well as the two pieces that she created in direct response and that is how the exhibition concept of a visual dialogue between things from the past in our collection as well as the present interpretation in her couture works began," said Yoong.

Yoong said that one of Guo Pei’s works that can not be missed is "Magnificent gold", which demonstrates the high quality of Guo Pei's craft team. It required 50,000 hours to make and includes a large variety of gold thread techniques that her studio is well known for. The dress is made of long and slim panels embroidered with designs of lotus and floral scrolls, similar to those used to produce paintings showcasing Buddhist deities and scenes.

(Cover image: A model walks the runway during the Guo Pei Fashion Week on January 25, 2017 in Paris, France. /VCG Photo)