When it comes to bringing Chinese models to the international fashion stage, we have to mention the pioneer known as the “Mother of Chinese Fashion,” Song Huai Gui (1937-2006). Besides being a legendary figure in the fashion industry, she also held multiple roles as an art pioneer and cultural ambassador. The upcoming exhibition “Song Huai Gui: Art Pioneer and Fashion Mother” at the M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District will allow everyone to see over 320 exhibits and learn about her extraordinary life story.
During her lifetime, Song Huaigui, who was known as “Mrs. Song,” together with her husband Wan Man, an artist specializing in wall hangings, nurtured the development of a group of avant-garde artists. She also served as the chief representative of Pierre Cardin in China and established an international network centered around film producers, actors, musicians, and fashion designers. This network included award-winning directors and film producers such as Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark, Yang Fan, and Zhang Yimou, as well as fashion designers John Galliano and Liu Peiji, and musician Cui Jian. Her extensive connections reflect her influence on the development of modern Chinese culture.
M+「宋懷桂：藝術先鋒與時尚教母」是全球首個以宋懷桂為主題的博物館展覽，展出罕見的檔案資料、出自世界知名時裝設計師之手的服裝、電影戲服和影片片段、藝術作品以及大型壁掛藝術裝置。展覽按主題分為五個部分，首部分「誰是宋女士？」展示宋懷桂所穿著過最引人注目的皮爾‧卡丹服裝，以及個人文件、照片和影片片段。
第二部分”藝術先鋒”則帶來宋懷桂和萬曼開創性的藝術創作，從展品中可以體現到夫婦兩人如何借鑒傳統和民間文化，從而發展出現代主義的藝術語言。「商界精英」亦是宋懷桂為人所津津樂道的身份，而這部分的展覽主題重點介紹宋懷桂為皮爾‧卡丹在中國開展事業的歷程。
至于“时尚教母”的展览部分，则揭示了宋怀桂从训练中国第一批专业模特，到把中国模特引领到国际舞台方面的历程，通过时尚展现出个人风格，改变世界对新一代中国现代女性的认知。来到展览的最后部分“文化大使”，焦点介绍宋怀桂的多个文化身份，以及其圈子中的西方时装设计师、艺术家、电影创作者等如何从中国传统意象中汲取灵感，把自身文化融入作品之中。
除了带来多项珍贵展品之外，是次展览亦带来一系列活动，例如展览策展人皮力博士、武漠博士和顾谈雅主讲的公开讲座、与时尚服饰相关的工作坊等。
此外，策展人皮力博士亦撰写了《宋怀桂：一生艺术，一世时尚》，透过传记形式把宋怀桂的故事娓娓道来，书中更收录了250多张罕见图片和档案资料、宋怀桂家人和朋友的撰文，以及展览策展人武漠和顾谈雅所写的论文。M+商店亦推出多款展览限定商品，包括手拿包、单肩袋、明信片、布扇等，以及其他与宋怀桂相关的设计，大家欣赏展览过后不妨一逛！
「宋怀桂：艺术先锋与时尚教母」特别展览
日期：7 月 29 日至 9 月 30 日
地点：西九文化区 M+ 博物馆
圖片由 M+ 提供
