Earlier this month, the Costume Institute held its annual Met Gala to celebrate the new exhibition, China: Through the Looking Glass.
No doubt you saw some of the costumes worn by recognizable names in music, film and fashion. That drew attention to the event, but the real story was inside the Met.
The exhibition documents the impact of Chinese aesthetics in Western fashion, film and culture; examining the strong influence China has played for centuries. De Gournay, the luxury hand-painted wallpaper brand from London was chosen as a leading force behind the Gala’s design because of their use of traditional Chinese artisan methods.
The brand’s Chinoiserie designs were used throughout the event.
Earlham, a Chinoiserie design inspired by antique panels found in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London was used on a 40 foot hand painted feature wall.
The firm’s Chatsworth design in Sung Blue was used to create the iridescent tablecloths.
With a son who has spent the past 2 years learning Chinese, I am keenly aware of the influence this culture has had for generations past and will have for generations to come.
If you find yourself in New York City this summer, be sure and stop by to see the exhibit, which will be open until August 16th.
Here’s to looking forward to the weekend! Make it a great one!
images: courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art/BFA.com
This exhibit looks incredible and the tables amazing!! Can't believe your son is taking Chinese…impressive!! Happy weekend, Elizabeth!!
So gorgeous!
Could it be any more stunning!! De Gournay my favorite! Hope to see you in NYC!
Elizabeth, I'm dying to see this but don't know if I will have time to run in and run out on my mad dash into the city in a couple weeks. Which would mean I'd would have to come back to NYC just to see it. Hmmm… Who knows, maybe we will have to have a Seattle-New York exchange program this summer. Wonder if I could steal Dana for a whirlwind trip!? Hope you have a lovely weekend and a fun visit! I'll be thinking of you two when I open my bubbles tonight! XOXO
Beautiful! I am excited to be going next week….have heard such great things. My son also took Chinese for all of high school and now thanks me (though he fought me tooth and nail at the start). What a wonderful language to have even a partial command of!
Wishing you a wonderful and relaxing weekend, Elizabeth.
PS Was at The Kips Bay showhouse yesterday and must say it was really good, definitely recommend it.
Fabulous review! I am looking forward to visiting and viewing soon. I use the same wallpaper installer who installed the wallcoverings for this exhibit.
Fabulous post! IT is nice to see the "real" Met Gala instead of the costumes of so many.
I cannot wait to see this exhibit!
Have a wonderful weekend Elizabeth
Definitely on my to do list. I am hoping to be making a trip to NYC later this summer to welcome my friend's two new grand babies! Have a great weekend!
Absolutely stunning!!! It is also on my "to do" list…I am wondering if there will be any way to make that happen on the 28th. Studying Chinese is a mixed blessing…my Carter is on his way home from school tonight but is only staying a couple weeks before heading back to Hong Kong…he definitely has "the bug"! Have a lovely weekend, Elizabeth! xoxo
My son and his girlfriend speak chinese and we were together and a man at the next table was impressed. He was Chinese!
I always love your positive spin and that your post brings out the beauty and inspiration of Chinoiserie.
The Met is such a jewel!
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What a gala! I'm looking forward to catching this resplendent exhibition. Is your son learning Mandarin or Cantonese? I speak Cantonese and want to learn Mandarin. Happy weekend, L
Would LOVE to see this exhibit! Great that your son is learning that language – not easy!!
I wish I could attend. Looks wonderful!!!
these photos are fabulous!! Love all the details…I want those pink plates!