THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS OF CHINESE GLAMOR (c) Recount by Polly Guerin

Left: 18rh Cent Festival Robe/Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent dress

China has sparked fashonistas imaginations for centuries but nothing meets the eye more fascinating than the juxtaposition of ancient court robes with haute fashion designer's creations, paintings, films, porcelains and object d'art. Such is the upcoming show, China: Through the Looking Glass, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's China exhibition staged in the Chinese Galleries and the Anna Wintour Costume Center from May 7 through August 16th. Pictured right: A woman's court robe with a Ralph Lauren dinner jacket ensemble. More recognizable are the blue and white Chinese porcelains including the 15th-century "Jar with Dragon" and 2005 Roberto Cavalli's evening dress. Next to it is an Alexander McQueen by Sarah Burton evening dress with a dramatic fishtail skirt. The exhibition features 130 couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear pieces juxtaposed with Chinese costumes, which served as inspiration.

   Fashions are displayed from the 1700s to today through an assortment of interactive displays. Styles reflect their relationship to decorative arts from Imperial China in the Chinese Galleries to the AstorCourt, which houses costumes worn by Chinese opera star Mei Lanfang, the inspiration for John Galliano's spring 2003 Christian Dior couture collection. Other designers are well represented including: Coco Chanel. Dries Van Noten, Jason Wu and Balenciaga. FILMS also illustrate how our image of China developed with video clips including"Raise the Red Lantern," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Farewell My Concubine."  

In celebration of the exhibition's opening the Met's benefit will take place on May 4th andthe red carpet guests will no doubt be as interesting to watch as the show itself.  Now is the time to pull out your mandarin collared dress of richly patterned Chinese evening gown. Now is the time to schedule "Through the Looking Glass" on your calendar.
Ta Ta darlings!!!  I must say the press preview was a voyeurs delight.  Fan mail welcome at pollytalknyc@gmail.com.  Visit Polly's Blogs at www.pollytalk.com on fashion, remarkable men, poetry and amazing women. Just click on the link in the left hand column to go directly to any Blog.