STYLE & DESIGN
Originally published on Tuesday, 18 March 2008
Asian Attraction
Somewhere between hip hop labs, skate parks and Vogue, Chinese art is no longer solely synonymous with the Ming Dynasty. Celebrating Shanghai fashion, Shenzhen graphic design and much in between, the V&A's upcoming China Now show charts the Asian country's development from orthodox to innovative.
The exhibition's partnership with Liberty London also gives the country some sought after lux cred while the retailer gains street cred: a key component to its image revamp.
In addition to an in-house exhibition, Liberty's fine art alignment includes employing Pierre Beucler and Jean-Christophe Poggioli (the architectural duo behind Louve exhibitions and Lanvin’s recent global relaunch) to design the company's first stand-alone store. Due to open on Sloan Street this summer, the new digs will serve as a blueprint for the British brand's international expansion.
Compared to the style explosion, the Olympics are incidental.