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January 16, 2011

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Rejoice in Joyce's 40-year global fashion journey

FOR anyone interested in fashion's evolution during the past four decades, the ongoing "A Journey in Fashion" exhibition at Rockbund on the Bund is a must-see.

The free exhibition in a recently restored historical building commemorates the 40th anniversary of Joyce boutique, a multi-brand fashion retail store that originated in Hong Kong.

In 1970, Joyce Ma was the bored wife of a wealthy businessman and she was looking for something to keep her busy. She founded her store in 1970 and was surprised when it became a phenomenon, thanks to her accurate and often "ahead-of-time" fashion sense.

She went on to become a fashion guru.

Ma is the one who introduced Asia to true European fashion, which is defined not only by major houses such as Chanel and Dior, but also by a range of innovative, cutting-edge designers. Visitors can discover and explore all those brands - their past, present and future - at the exhibition covering four floors of the old building.

More than 50 fashion houses, both established and emerging, showcase key pieces from their archives. Most of them were once sold in the Joyce boutique.

"We invited every designer to select a key piece from the year that we first introduced their collection to Hong Kong," said Joyce CEO Andrew Keith. "Some designers have actually remade pieces from their first collection specially for this exhibition."

There is a bright green and red dress by Oscar de la Renta from 1981, featuring two exquisitely beaded parrots on both shoulders; a printed silk jersey set by Emilio Pucci from 1970; a black dress decorated with a row of red buttons by Yohji Yamamoto from 1984; and the deconstructed, theatrical piece launched by Alexander McQueen in 2002.

All the clothes are organized by theme. For example, one room is dedicated to black pieces by different designers from different eras. Another room features works by fashion's most beloved "bad boy" designers including John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, who died about one year ago.

Also on display are collaborative pieces by artists and purveyors of luxury. They include a limited edition bottle of Ruinart Champagne designed by contemporary Chinese artist Yue Minjun, a CD featuring the music of French record producer Bob Sinclar specially mixed for the occasion, and a silk scarf made specifically for the Joyce boutique by Hermes.

The exhibition, which began in Hong Kong in December, runs through January 30, then moves to Paris on the final leg of its global tour. It will be unveiled at Paris Fashion Week.




 

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