Exhibition

The term “Haute Couture” comes from French, symbolizing the pinnacle of fashion excellence. Every Haute Couture fashion show presents breathtaking works, whether it’s flawless tailoring, exquisite silhouettes, or intricate craftsmanship. These shows highlight the technical mastery and unique allure of each participating brand. However, to become a true Haute Couture brand requires meeting an extremely stringent set of standards. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode in Paris clearly defines these criteria: 1️. Every garment must be custom-made for individual clients, with at least one fitting session. 2️. The atelier must employ at least 15 full-time staff and 20 specialized seamstresses. 3️. Each brand must present at least 50 new designs at the Haute Couture fashi...

“Marriage is obscene in principle insofar as it transforms into rights and duties those mutual relations which should be founded on a spontaneous urge.” Simone de Beauvoir Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre: one a pioneering feminist, the other an existentialist scholar. This philosopher couple is perhaps the most famous example of an “open relationship” in history. Their unconventional love story challenged the moral norms of French society in their time, becoming the star-crossed lovers of the French intellectual scene in the 1930s. Questioning Monogamy From the beginning of their relationship, Beauvoir and Sartre upheld a free and open relationship: living separately, never marrying, and not interfering in each other’s lives. They even signed a “love contract” to ens...

We frequently discuss the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence (AI) as numerous entities, ranging from governments to corporations, rush to harness AI in various sectors like recruitment, policing, criminal justice, healthcare, product development, and marketing. Generative tools such as Chat GPT have also become a staple in our daily digital interactions. However, Ruhi Khan, a researcher at the London School of Economics (LSE) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), casts a spotlight on a critical issue: despite the strides in AI, its embedded gender and racial biases significantly endanger women. Khan is championing a worldwide feminist movement to confront these challenges by promoting awareness, inclusivity, and regulatory measures. But does AI genuinely harbor ...

From the dawn of time, the natural world has been esteemed as the “Mother of Nature”, a moniker that transcends simple designation to deeply affirm the intrinsic bond between women and the wild. This unique kinship, spanning the annals of time from archaic matriarchal societies to our contemporary era, is a recurring motif across diverse cultures and legends. In the rich tapestry of myths both in the East and the West, women have consistently been portrayed as custodians, healers, and creators of the natural realm. Take, for instance, Demeter in Greek mythology, consort to Zeus and the goddess of harvest and fecundity, who infused the earth with vitality and bestowed upon mankind the wisdom of agriculture. In Hindu lore, Parvati, the mountain goddess and sister to the Ganges deity, emb...

When reminiscing about the opulent years of old Shanghai, you might conjure images of the swinging jazz tunes wafting through nightclubs, Chinese classic songs enriched with Western musical arrangements, the lively Charleston dance, and poignant melodies like “When Will You Return” and “Waiting for You to Come Back”. In a serendipitous convergence of seasons, M+ presented an exhibition Madame Song: Pioneering Art and Fashion in China, CHAT (Centre for Heritage, Arts, and Textile) posed an intriguing question: Who is Rebecca Pan? These two Chinese women, both born in the 1930s, had remarkable life stories, one revered as “Madame Song” and the other affectionately referred to as “Sister Pan”. They each held numerous titles: Song Huai Gui was celebrated as the “pioneer of the arts”, a...

It's been said that dreamers are crazy,yet I think it's the ones without dreams who truly lose their sanity. Madame Song Huai-Kuei Starting from late July, the question 'Who is Madame Song?' has ignited widespread curiosity. However, the answer is far from straightforward. To begin with, Madame Song holds a multitude of titles, including “Artistic Pioneer”, “Business Elite”, “Cultural Ambassador” and “Fashion Maven”. Moreover, her substantial influence has led to her being commemorated by the esteemed institution, M+. Born in China in 1937 during a tumultuous era of conflict, she herself sparked a revolution in the realm of Chinese-Western culture. Her name is synonymous with Song Huai-Kuei. Clothing can mirror a person's character. Don Kenzo and life becomes a captivati...