Paying homage to two centuries of Leavers lace

Xu Wei
Two centuries of fashion goes on display at a new exhibition paying tribute to the iconic symbol of French fashion.
Xu Wei
Paying homage to two centuries of Leavers lace
Ti Gong

Two centuries of fashion goes on display at a new exhibition paying tribute to the Leavers lace design.

The exhibition, titled “The Lace Review,” puts 14 exquisite sets of lace costumes on show. Each set was expertly made by the last 14 Leavers lace manufactures still operating in the Calais and Caudry regions.

The costumes feature technical specificities, elegance and creative styles synonymous with leavers lace, an essential material in the fields of fashion and lingerie. 

Each of the 14 sets presents a different feminine personality, from the trademark style of Audrey Hepburn to Marilyn Monroe and Madonna, as well as Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung.

Renowned French video artist Pierrick Sorin made an optical theater for the exhibition featuring actress Anna Mouglalis, who plays the role of a model and embodies the 14 icons of the exhibition.

Sorin’s audio-visual work projects holographic figures to appear on a human scale. In reality, the characters’ images are projected onto a simple video screen that the audience cannot see. For example, the actress in the video newly interprets Cheung’s classic image in Wong Kar-wai’s movie “In the Mood for Love” and Monroe’s famous image wearing a white dress in the 1955 film “The Seven Year Itch.”

Since its invention more than 200 years ago, the technique of weaving lace combines elegance, engineering and creativity.

Following the Shanghai stop, the exhibition will tour in Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, Moscow and other cities in the world.

Exhibition details

Date: Through April 9, 10am-6pm
Tel: 6327-9900
Venue: MoCA Shanghai
Address: Gate 7 of People’s Park, 231 Nanjing Rd W.

Paying homage to two centuries of Leavers lace
Ti Gong

This lace production is inspired by Maggie Cheung's image in Wong Kar-wai's movie "In the Mood for Love." 

Paying homage to two centuries of Leavers lace
Ti Gong
Paying homage to two centuries of Leavers lace
Ti Gong
Paying homage to two centuries of Leavers lace
Ti Gong

French actress Anna Mouglalis stars in an optical video for the exhibition.


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