The first large-scale showcase of the French museum’s comprehensive historical fashion collection in Asia, opening on 26 June 2024
The Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM) is delighted to announce that acclaimed singer and fashion icon Karen Mok will narrate the trilingual audio guide for its latest special exhibition, “The Adorned Body: French Fashion and Jewellery 1770–1910 from the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris” (“The Adorned Body”). Jointly organised by the HKPM and the prestigious Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the exhibition will open on 26 June till 14 October 2024.
Marking the first time for a display of the Paris museum’s comprehensive collection of historical French fashionwear in Asia, the HKPM is proud to present this exhibition of nearly 400 stunning French costumes, pieces of jewellery and accessories dating from the late 18th to early 20th century. All are on loan from Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which is home to France’s foremost national fashion collection.
Lending her voice to the audio guide for the exhibition, in Cantonese, English and Putonghua, Karen Mok will lead visitors through the items on display and narrate a journey that covers the evolution of French fashion and the power of fashion to transform the body. The global fashion icon and multitalented performer will also share captivating stories about her favourite picks from the exquisite collection. Ms Mok’s audio tour will be accessible inside the gallery using personal smartphone and earphones, or through the museum’s audio devices and website.
400 French costumes, pieces of jewellery and accessories showcased in Hong Kong for the first time
To prepare for the debut of “The Adorned Body” special exhibition, teams from the HKPM and Musée des Arts Décoratifs are working closely together on the fabrication and display of the close to 400 precious and delicate exhibits at the exhibition. Among the highlights is an 18th century court dress (about 1778) worn by an aristocratic French woman, comprising a mantle, skirt and stomacher, all sumptuously decorated with lace and gold and silver thread. This iconic and extremely rare dress is one of the oldest objects presented in this exhibition. Other notable items include a luxurious dress (about 1885) by the father of haute couture, Charles Frederick Worth (1825–1895); and an 18th century indoor jacket worn (about 1723–1774) by an aristocratic man, which 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, which were admired as luxury items in France at the time. One of the showcased items is a crinoline (about 1860), a bell-shaped undergarment constructed with metal hoops that, when worn, accentuated a woman’s small waist. The crinoline played a pivotal role in shaping the female silhouette in the mid-1800s and dominated the fashion scene in France and across Europe, symbolising the pleasure and pain of beauty.
Other highlights include an exquisite necklace with three chains (1809–1819), symbolising the bonds of marriage, which belonged to Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild (1825–1899), and a set of Boucheron earrings and pendant (about 1878) that exemplifies the nature-inspired jewellery in vogue during the second half of the 19th century.
Celebrating the ties that have united China and France for 60 years
“The Adorned Body” is one of four major exhibitions being staged this year in the West Kowloon Cultural District that celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. Visitors will be able to explore fascinating stories about the evolution of fashion in France and the dynamic interplay of cultures that shaped French fashion. Almost all the exhibits will be displayed in Asia for the first time, and some have never been seen outside Paris or France. All the objects will return to France after the three-and-half-month-long exhibition at the HKPM.
“The Adorned Body” is curated by lead curators Dr Denis Bruna, Head Curator, Fashion and Textiles Department, pre-1800 collections, and Mr Mathieu Rousset-Perrier, Heritage Curator, Middle Ages, Renaissance, Jewellery collections, of Musée des Arts Décoratifs who are responsible for the concept and content of the exhibition, working closely in collaboration with Dr Ingrid Yeung, Associate Curator of the HKPM. Special thanks 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 of Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris. The exhibition is supported by Cathay as Travel Partner and Hong Kong-based non-profit organisation Foundation for Art and Culture as 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, including two special exhibitions, namely “The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series: YUAN MING YUAN – Art and Culture of an Imperial Garden-Palace” in Gallery 8 and “The Adorned Body” in Gallery 9. 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 and is home to France’s foremost national fashion collection. A source of inspiration for artists and craftspeople, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, tells the story of practical arts in conjunction with fine and industrial arts. The collection of Western decorative arts – including art objects, designs, jewellery, toys, advertisements, and graphic designs – has been built up since the 19th century and now contains more than 1,000,000 works. The museum has an extensive collection of fashion and textiles, the world's largest collection of wallpaper and art deco and art nouveau treasures, and the oldest French collection of non-Western art. The permanent exhibition features 6,000 works spanning styles from the Middle Ages to the present, offering an enlightened perspective on art history and contemporary creations.
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/
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