Vivienne Tam: Shanghai Nights
By Mari Davis
Photos courtesy of Vivienne Tam-FWD
NEW YORK, Feb 17, 2003/ FW/ --- Maybe it's Lucy Liu's and Jackie Chan's rise to fame,
but if someone mentions Shanghai, all they can think of was the Imperial Palace courtesy
of the very popular movie, 'Shanghai Noon'.
Vivienne Tam did not have to look towards Hollywood to get inspiration though. She only has
to stay true to her heritage to portray a vision of the dainty and feminine, yet strong,
very much like Lucy Liu's character in Shanghai Noon as a Chinese princess.
Set in a dramatic stage of block ice planted with trees and bamboo reeds, and Chinese
dragon sculptures, Vivienne Tam's modern Chinese princess is not a wilting violet.
The designer made them wear mini-skirts with uneven hemlines, either in leather or chiffon,
matched with bomber jackets trimmed with fur.
As expected, the designer also sent delicately embroidered pieces, for where will be
a Vivienne Tam show without it?
Notable piece is a black vest with an embroidered applique of the panda bear, the designer's
way of supporting the effort in saving this endangered species which can only be found in
China.
And in this fall season where youthfulness and mod are the strongest trends, it is
refreshing to see a collection which is different and original.
From the applause given by the audience after the show, I believe the audience felt
the same way.
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