China: Through the Looking Glass

Bolton, Andrew with John Galliano, Adam Geczy, Maxwell K. Hearn, Homay King, Harold Koda, Mei Mei Rado, and Wong Kar Wai. Photography by Platon.
2015
256 pages
231 illustrations
Foreword Reviews' Book of the Year Award, Gold Winner in Popular Culture (2015)
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For centuries China has fueled the creative imagination and inspired fashion. This stunning publication explores the influence of Chinese art, film, and aesthetics on international fashion designers, including Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent.

Evening ensemble, House of Balmain  French, silk, metallic thread, French
House of Balmain
Oscar de la Renta
fall/winter 1999–2000
Jar with dragon

, Porcelain painted with cobalt blue under transparent glaze (Jingdezhen ware), China
China
early 15th century
Le Goût du Jour ou Des Chinois du Boulevard Coblentz, from "Caricatures Parisiennes", Aaron Martinet  French, Etching, hand-colored
Aaron Martinet
Anonymous, French, 19th century
ca. 1815
Le bonheur du jour; ou, Les graces a la mode, George Barbier  French, paper, French
George Barbier
1924
Festival Robe, Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin, China
China
second half of the 18th century
Pieces for Emperor's Twelve-Symbol Robe, Silk, China
China
late 19th century
Woman's Robe of State, Silk and metallic thread embroidery on silk satin weave patterned with extra continuous wefts, China
China
18th century
"Dragon Robe", Vivienne Tam  American, synthetic, American
Vivienne Tam
Vivienne Tam
spring/summer 1998
China
19th century
Dress, Yves Saint Laurent  French, plastic, fur, silk, French
Multiple artists/makers
fall/winter 2004–5
China
Evening coat, silk, fur, metal, French
French
ca. 1925
Man's Summer Court Hat with Peacock Feather, Basketry, silk, glass, China
China
Evening jacket, House of Chanel  French, Silk, metallic, French
House of Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel
ca. 1930
Evening dress, Mainbocher  French and American, silk, American
Mainbocher
Mainbocher
1950s
Cheongsam, silk, metallic thread, Chinese
Chinese
1932
Cheongsam, silk, metal, glass, Chinese
Chinese
1932
Ensemble, House of Chanel  French, wool, silk, metal, French
House of Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld
fall/winter 1996–97
Coat, Vivienne Tam  American, silk, American
Vivienne Tam
Vivienne Tam
1999
Chairman Mao, Unknown, Gelatin silver print
Multiple artists/makers
1964
Showing 20 of 53

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Bolton, Andrew, John Galliano, and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), eds. 2015. China: Through the Looking Glass. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.