A few weeks ago, I had the good fortune of being in San Francisco and in between meetings, was able to visit the Legion of Honor Museum to see the Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy. I have seen many fashion exhibits in my life but this one truly tops them all. The visuals speak for themselves as you scroll down and enjoy these miraculous examples of artisanship in all its glory. The combination of technique and fantasy blew me away. I was awestruck from beginning to end and am almost tempted to fly back to San Francisco just to experience it again.

Perhaps most famous in the US for her incredible creation worn by Rhianna at the 2015 Met, Guo Pei electrified the red carpet, and send t the internet abuzz with the firm trimmed gown.

Although the Met gown undoubtably established Guo Pei as a fashion force, Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy does not include the gown. Instead the show is a retrospective of Guo Pei’s career both before and after 2015.

Gun was born in Beijing in 1967. She graduated in 1986 from Beijing Second Light Industry School with a degree in fashion. She worked for one of China’s first fashion houses, Tianma, until 1997 when she left to start her own label and atelier. The scope of her work for one so young astounds me.

Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy features over 80 looks from the designer’s archive, focusing on the handwork, beading and intricate embroidery she has become known for.

Interwoven with the gowns themselves are videos of interviews focusing on history, technique and inspiration of the atelier.

Speaking of the show, Thomas P. Campbell, director and CEO of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, he says “Our Costume program highlights extraordinary designers who have changed the course of fashion history, and Guo Pei is a perfect fit: Her career is emblematic of a shift in global fashion narratives and China’s rise as a fashion leader.”

I was absolutely in awe of the incredible detail of these pieces. The golden embroidery alone was enough to captivate me for hours. Throughout the there were endless moments to focus on the details alongside the dramatic voluminous forms.

Referencing countless cultural histories that in part make China so rich in imagery and craft, Guo Pei’s work transcends what it means to be a contemporary couture atelier.

Guo is the first born-and-raised Asian designer to be invited to become a guest member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

Beyond the gold and gild, I was especially drawn to the quieter and more updated detailing ever-present in these creations.

I cannot overstate how stunning this show is. If you find yourself in the San Francisco area now until November 27, when the show closes, you absolutely must go. You will not regret it!

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