With a trilingual audio guide by acclaimed singer and fashion icon Karen Mok, the new exhibition reinforces HKPM’s mission to foster exchange across civilisations
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) joined with the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris today to unveil the new special exhibition “The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris” (“The Adorned Body”). As one of the four major exhibitions in the West Kowloon Cultural District in 2024 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, “The Adorned Body” marks the first time the prestigious Paris museum’s comprehensive collection of historical French fashionwear is displayed in Asia. The exhibition features nearly 400 stunning items of clothing, pieces of jewellery, and accessories dating from the late 18th to the early 20th century. The exhibition will open in Gallery 9 of the HKPM on 26 June and run until 14 October 2024.
The opening ceremony for “The Adorned Body” was held at the HKPM today. Officiating at the ceremony were Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Christile Drulhe, Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau; Joe Wong Chi-cho, Permanent Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Sylvie Corréard, Chief Executive Officer of Les Arts Décoratifs; Winnie Tam, Chairman of the HKPM Board; Yvon Figueras, Director of International Development and Production, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris; Betty Fung, Chief Executive Officer of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA); and Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM. Acclaimed singer and fashion icon Karen Mok, who narrates the exhibition’s trilingual audio guide, made a special appearance at the ceremony, and shared with the audience stories about this cross-disciplinary project.
First-ever showcase in Asia of a comprehensive historical French fashion collection
This exhibition is the debut of the prestigious Paris museum’s most comprehensive collection of historical French fashion in Asia, with the HKPM being the first exhibition venue to showcase nearly 400 exquisite pieces from the collection. The exhibition highlights fascinating stories about the evolution of fashion in France and the dynamic interplay of cultures that has shaped fashion in France.
Almost all the exhibits are displayed in Asia for the first time, and some of them have never been seen outside of Paris or France. To protect these precious and delicate exhibits, all objects will return to France after the three-and-half-month-long exhibition in the HKPM.
Cheuk Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR, said, “This exhibition tells a fascinating story about French fashion, which has had immense global influence for the past two centuries. It is our honour to have such a comprehensive and beautiful collection of historical clothing, jewellery and fashion accessory pieces from France exhibited in Hong Kong. Taking place at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which houses the imperial costume and jewellery pieces from the Qing Dynasty, this exhibition can be viewed in an intercultural context, demonstrating the blend of Chinese and Western cultures in our city. I am certain the extraordinary beauty of historical French fashion and its cultural significance will further strengthen people-to-people exchange and mutual admiration between China and France, which has deep roots and present-day resonance.”
Sylvie Corréard, CEO of Les Arts Décoratifs, said, “As the first partnership between the HKPM and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, this exhibition, conceived by Dr Denis Bruna and Mathieu Rousset-Perrier, curators at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, in collaboration with Dr Ingrid Yeung, Associate Curator at the HKPM, is an opportunity to present to the Hong Kong public for the first time an exceptional collection of costumes, accessories and jewellery, flagships of our collection, and to celebrate together the links that have united China and France for 60 years.”
Winnie Tam, Chairman of the HKPM Board, said, “The HKPM is thrilled to be the first venue in Asia to present the impressive fashion and jewellery collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, which carries a profound cultural and artistic significance for global art and design. We look forward to welcoming visitors from Hong Kong and around the world to experience the magnificence of these historical fashion treasures and immerse themselves in a unique multisensory journey with the captivating narration by Ms Karen Mok.”
Karen Mok was excited to narrate the trilingual audio guides for “The Adorned Body” exhibition, and shared, “I have always loved the art and culture of China and France, and believe in the transformative power of fashion. I am honoured to be invited by the HKPM as a part of this cross-disciplinary project. Through my narration, I will be leading visitors from Hong Kong and around the world to explore the magnificent French fashion treasures in this exhibition.”
Fascinating stories about the evolution of fashion in France
In five thematic sections, “The Adorned Body” explores the history of men’s and women’s fashions in France from the 1770s to the 1910s:
- “Court Splendour (1770–1790)” presents the ways French aristocrats used costumes, jewellery, and accessories to assert their rank and social standing.
- “Sense and Sensibility (1810–1830)” introduces the fashions created under the influence of Neoclassicism and Romanticism.
- “Tradition and Innovation (1850–1860)” explores the impact that new technologies had on fashion trends, as well as the renewal of traditional styles.
- “The Birth of Luxury (1880)” features an evening gown by Charles Frederick Worth, often credited as the father of haute couture.
- “The Belle Epoque (1890–1910)” presents some of the most dazzling designs from this spectacular chapter in Europe’s Golden Age.
On display are some of the most representative historical costumes from specific time periods, illustrating the many social, cultural, and technological factors that affected the evolution of fashion. As seen in each section, the male and female silhouettes were created as much with dresses and suits as with undergarments, such as the corset and crinoline. An 18th century indoor jacket worn by an aristocratic man tells important stories about the global network of trade and cultural exchanges between China and France: The jacket was made of French silk inspired by prized silk textiles created in China.
Immersive exhibition experience: An audio journey with Karen Mok, and “fashion in film”
“The Adorned Body” is complemented by an audio guide narrated by acclaimed singer and fashion icon Karen Mok in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. With her unique storytelling, Karen guides visitors through the highlighted items on display and recounts the evolution of French fashion. The global fashion icon also shares captivating stories about her favourite picks from the splendid collection. The audio tour will be accessible inside the gallery with personal smartphones and earphones or through the Museum’s audio devices and website.
Many fashion pieces on display are illuminated by excerpts from award-winning movies such as Emma, Somewhere in Time and The Duchess, to show the occasions when the fashions were worn, thus bringing historical attire to life. Innovative multimedia features incorporated throughout the exhibition help visitors delve deeper into the changing silhouette of the fashionably clad human body and the body’s adornments in the past. The last part of the exhibition features a learning corridor with “dressing rooms” in which visitors can “try on” different designs of clothing and accessories and experience the evolution of French fashion in an intimate and interactive manner. Other educational offerings include fashion-themed summer programmes and workshops, dress-up events, and lectures. The first lecture, delivered by the curators of “The Adorned Body”, will be held on 28 June (Friday).
The lead curators of “The Adorned Body”, Dr Denis Bruna, Head Curator, Fashion and Textiles Department, pre-1800 collections, and Mr Mathieu Rousset-Perrier, Heritage Curator, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Jewellery collections, are responsible for the concept and content of the exhibition. They worked in close collaboration with Dr Ingrid Yeung, Associate Curator of the HKPM. Special thanks go to Sylvie Corréard, CEO of Les Arts Décoratifs; Christine Macel, Director of Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, and Yvon Figueras, Director of International Development and Production at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. The exhibition is supported by Cathay as its Travel Partner and by the Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation Foundation for Art and Culture as its Exhibition Facilitator.
Tickets for this special exhibition also grant access to all the thematic exhibitions in the HKPM, including treasures from the Palace Museum and other collections. Tickets cost HK$150 for adults and HK$75 for concessions* and can be purchased through the West Kowloon Cultural District’s online ticketing platforms or ticketing partners. A special combo ticket, priced at HK$220 for adults and HK$110 for visitors eligible for concessions*, will be available for visitors who wish to visit all exhibitions on the same day, the two special exhibitions, “The Adorned Body” in Gallery 9 and “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN – Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace” in Gallery 8. The special combo ticket also gives access to the thematic exhibitions in other HKPM galleries. Please refer to the HKPM website for more information.
*Concessions are available to children aged 7 to 11, full-time students, seniors aged 60 and above, persons with disabilities (with one companion), and CSSA recipients.
Remarks
About the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris
Founded in 1864, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris houses one of the world’s largest and most important collections of design and decorative arts. A source of inspiration for artists and craftspeople, the collection now contains more than 1,400,000 works, including fashion and textiles, the world's largest collection of wallpaper, Art Deco and Art Nouveau treasures, and the oldest French collection of non-Western art.
About the Hong Kong Palace Museum
The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to be a leading cultural institution committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum. The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust made a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment, as well as some of the annual exhibitions and education programmes in 2023–2031.
Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum offers a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong, the Museum will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.
About the West Kowloon Cultural District
The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest and most ambitious cultural projects in the world. Its vision is to create a vibrant new cultural quarter for Hong Kong on 40 hectares of reclaimed land located alongside Victoria Harbour. With a varied mix of theatres, performance spaces, and museums, the West Kowloon Cultural District will produce and host world-class exhibitions, performances, and cultural events, providing 23 hectares of public open space, including a two-kilometre waterfront promenade.
https://www.westkowloon.hk/
