What may happen when high couture meets Chinese culture heritage? Recently, a special exhibition featuring the costumes in the insanely popular palace drama “The Story of Yanxi Palace” was opened at Bund 22 in Shanghai.

As a successful TV series set in the Qing Dynasty, “The Story of Yanxi Palace” appeals to the viewers not only for its excellent plot, but also because the artistic design is a visual sensation. Inspired by the traditional costumes in the drama, the Bund 22 High Couture Center showcases several sets of costumes and accessories worn by the protagonists to allow the fashionistas to explore the beauty of modern craftsmanship and intangible culture heritage. What’s more, it attempts to integrate contemporary fashion into a traditional essence, and turn the aesthetics of Yanxi Palace into modern clothes and other spinoffs, to demonstrate the delicateness of high couture.

The ornate clothing displayed at the exhibition is crafted through embroidery. The matt fabric of the cloth is also a masterpiece by a Chinese artist from Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province. Only 5 centimeters can be woven in a single day. A perfect match with various kinds of embroidery techniques, it presents the exquisite and elegant style of royal fashion.

To explore the possibility of combining tradition with modern fashion, famed designer Eric Tibusch has also made customized fashion items for the exhibition while drawing inspiration from the techniques deployed in “The Story of Yanxi Palace”. In addition, Cheng Yijie, an independent jewelry designer, was also invited to design high couture jewelry based on Chinese aesthetic elements.

“The Fashion Aesthetics Exhibition of Yanxi Palace” will last through January 31, open between 10am and 8pm.