Travellers with an eye for fashion and happen to be in Hongkong should nip over to the Quarry Bay area before January 31 to catch the exhibit: Vivienne Westwood: A Life In Fashion.
The display, jointly organised by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum as well as Swire Island East, tracks the iconic English designer’s life since her birth in 1941 to her early professional years in the 70s and 80s through to her ascension as “Queen of British Fashion” (she became a Dame in 2006) in the last two decades.
Among the 150 exhibits in 26 sections include designs from Pirate, her first joint catwalk collection (with then-partner Malcolm McLaren), as well as Witches, the brainchild of the duo’s final collaboration.
When Business Traveller paid a visit on a Wednesday morning, we shared the exhibition with less than four individuals. According to a guide at the information counter, weekdays are the least busy as the bulk of visitors only arrive at lunchtime to admire the displays. So if you want to beat the weekend crowd, this is a good time to visit.
Also for viewing is her Clint Eastwood and Hypnos collection as well as various showcases of corsets, eveningwear, day frocks and shoes. One can also watch a documentary on her work, narrated by Westwood herself and buy merchandise at the souvenir shop.
Or, if you want to check out up and coming young talent, a smaller exhibition, the Island East Meets Westwood Student Exhibition (organised by the Hongkong Youth Arts Foundation) showcases the efforts of 17 students from various institutions. The Hongkong Polytechnic University’s School Of Design also asserts its presence with a range of seating furniture.
Admission is free-of-charge, but due to the exhibition containing adult content (Westwood after all, was charged with “gross indecency” 30 years ago), parental guidance is advised. Photography is not allowed but one can view pictures of the exhibition at www.viviennewestwood.com.hk
Venue of the show is ArtisTree, 3/F Cornwall House, Tai Koo Place, Island East. Opening hours are from 1000 to 2200 (Monday to Thursday), 1000 to 1800 (Friday to Sunday).
From Central, visitors can take the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) Island Line to reach Quarry Bay and then use Exit A.
He Ruiming
