POWER, PRESTIGE, AND THE POLITICS OF GOLD

Being in Paris this early spring brought me a wondrous, gilded experience at the Musée du Quai Branly-Jacques Chirac.

- LULU TAN GAN

The exhibition was a dazzling journey through time — gold has crossed countries and cultures for centuries. From the deserts of North Africa to the temples of Japan, it explored how gold and textiles have been intertwined for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations — Roman, Byzantine, Persian, Chinese, Indian, and others — crafted cloth where gold threads danced with silk and linen. Think golden robes for kings and sacred garments glittering with meaning. Highlights included Indian chaogoshia and Chinese qipao wedding gowns.

To offer a contemporary perspective, Chinese designer Guo Pei was invited to present several of her creations. Her couture pieces were like myths stitched into fabric — bridging centuries-old techniques with avant-garde vision. These breathtaking gowns illustrated how art and culture continue to shape fashion. Several were interspersed throughout the exhibition, shimmering between past and present.

The show closed with a tribute to the exquisite embroidery of Maison Lesage, the legendary French atelier that has collaborated with couturiers for over a century.