At the museum, the garments will be dressed on 3D-printed mannequins made in collaboration with fashion designer Jason Wu, who wanted to approach them as not only display tools but as modern sculptures: abstract yet deeply human, he wrote in the exhibition catalog, adding: Their soft white finish carries a yellow undertone, a quiet but deliberate nod to our Chinese complexion. Besides Susan and Lis wardrobes, Lai Mah also donated items she had bought herself, including a lam qipao that she found in Fresno that was so unusual. Theres little information about its origins, though Lai Mah believes it was created in the US or China in around 1928
Grey dress shoes bridge the gap between black formality and brown warmth but stores rarely carry them beyond a single charcoal option
And although retro styling would suggest pairing such a pretty dress with oversized knits and heavy boots, the spring/summer 2025 runways played up the pretty factor by styling them with barely-there heels for an unforgettable red-carpet-ready look
All gowns you find in store are cash and carry , and while some select designers offer special orders, most require a lead time of 6-months for ordering
Dont be afraid to play with color or prints: The satiny, seafoam-green color pictured above really stands out next to the persimmon-colored clutch, for example