We started incorporating Peranakan Artistry into Qipaos and modern silhouettes since the early days when we started and in a big way during our 2010 Eternity Showcase where we collaborated with 3 local artists to incorporate their artwork on gowns using Peranakan beading and embroideries. I think Peranakan Artistry should not be restricted to just traditional wear as demand for them is limited due to our current lifestyle needs. In 2009, we spent a year going to Malacca, Penang and Kuala Lumpur to find artisans who were willing to experiment Peranakan beading and embroidery on gowns as we could not find any from Singapore. 

 

Creating Qipaos with Peranakan artistry is Fuchsia Lane’s way of paying homage to the motifs, designs, craftsmanship, objects and colours that Peranakans adore, which is Chinese in origin but assimilated to the cultures of Malay and the fine tastes of Europeans then.

 

Research has shown that while bead work and embroidery may be regarded as authentic handicrafts of the Straits Chinese, the rest of the cultural objects which were traditionally associated with the Straits Chinese way of life, such as porcelains, furniture, jewellery and architecture were previously made by artisans of non-Straits Chinese, tailored to their requirements and specifications.

 

Nonya embroideries while borrowing from Chinese techniques, possess a certain freshness and originality, as they did not slavishly imitate the Chinese motifs and designs. The Nonyas created distinctive types of needlework which are at once Chinese in origins but Straits Chinese in character and expression. 

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Sulam is a Malay word for embroidery on Kebayas. Such time-consuming embroideries are distinctive of their cut outs lace work at the hems of the Kebaya. With the advent of technology and the passing of time, it is sadly challenging to find people who can devote the focus and time in reproducing these artworks. 

 

​Nevertheless, it is a pity to let such a colourful culture disappear in the annals of time. Fuchsia Lane explores a different way of presenting Peranakan Artistry with a combination of methods working hand in hand with our Korean hanbok artisans, to reproduce the effect for a contemporary global audience, with a demanding lifestyle very much different from those a century ago.

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In 2017, I chanced upon beautiful hanboks with stunning embroideries displayed in the Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. I then went 4 times to Korea to find artisans to work with to develop Peranakan embroideries. After much perseverance and sharing of the Peranakan culture, we manage to find  Hanbok artisans to work with us who also incorporated Korean artistic influences when embroidering the motifs we created into our garments. They themselves learning about Peranakan style embroidery. Talk about a cross-culture exchange.  

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Nanyang fashion has a rich artistic legacy, and it can only evolve by embracing contemporary influences from around the world. Much like a stew requiring multiple layers of flavour to be added, each adding onto the base to form a rich and robust unique flavour, we seek inputs from others’ interpretation of Nanyang Fashion to build upon itself, especially people outside of Southeast Asia. We are happy to explore a unique style that melds Korean and Peranakan Artistry in Fuchsia Lane designs, together with the rest of influences that I grew up with like my love of fairy tales, ballet and precious porcelains.    

 

It is hoped that Qipaos with Peranakan artistry will give a refreshing take on Qipao, while outfits with Peranakan artistry will pique people’s interest in the beautiful Straits Chinese culture and appreciate the relevance in today’s world.