As stage lights danced across the solemn arches of Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, they cast a warm glow that brought the centuries-old structure to life. Against this historical backdrop, a spring collection inspired by the mansion's architectural details and natural landscapes set camera shutters clicking in rapid succession on a hot mid-July night.
Stepping gracefully onto the stage, actress Mao Xiaotong drew all eyes in a black gown that shimmered in the lights with a quiet elegance.
"The design was inspired by the flourishing lotus ponds of Prince Kung's Palace Museum in midsummer," she explains.
"The black base evokes the lotus flowers' tranquil beauty under the moonlight, and the hand-embroidered golden lotus leaves accented with dewdrops add a touch of delicate radiance."
Mao spoke of her fondness for the ensemble, praising how it captured the essence of Chinese aesthetics.
"It's like a subtle fragrance flowing in the air — a perfect blend of tradition and contemporary fashion."
Tucked away in downtown Beijing's hutong alleyways, the museum is one of China's best-preserved and iconic Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) princely residences. The complex blends traditional Chinese palatial architecture with refined gardens, featuring highlights such as the First Blessing Under Heaven Stele, a rare calligraphic work by Emperor Kangxi, and exquisite Western-style motifs in its rear garden.
As Mao strolled past the centuries-old architecture, her gown mirrored the palace's poetic landscape — the winding wisteria vines, the still ponds dotted with koi fish, and the fusion of East-West design through the garden's Baroque-inspired gates.
"I am impressed by how the designers translated the palace's beauty into fabric," Mao adds.
Her reflections echoed the essence of the event, which marked the launch of Kung Fashion, a new brand presented by the Prince Kung's Palace Museum.
