Category Archives: Contributors

This winter you can escape to the world’s greatest museum of art and design… The V&A in South Kensington, South West London. Until the 27th of February you can visit their wonderful exhibition of Imperial Chinese Robes from the Forbidden City. This exhibition shows three centuries of beautiful and historic royal robes worn by the emperors and empresses of the Qing Dynasty, the last ruling dynasty of China (1644-1911). On display are elaborate and exquisite robes, hats, shoes and childrens clothes, plus beautifully patterned fabrics created for the fashion conscious Empress Dowager Cixi and her court ladies. The exhibition also explores the complex rules and conventions specifying what clothes should be worn on different court occasions: from official robes for important rituals to festive dresses for banquets and celebrations, and travelling ensembles for hunting and royal visits to the provinces. On show for the first time in Europe, this is a rare opportunity to see these sumptuous garments. The V&A is online @ www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions