Olivier Saillard, former director of the Paris' premier fashion museum Palais Galliera and current director of the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, is using fashion as a bridge to foster cultural exchange between China and France.
The Azzedine Alaïa Foundation museum houses a collection of thousands of ancient garments, resembling a living fashion history book where Saillard has left traces of his connection with China. The exhibition layout is influenced by Chinese culture, following the principle of "less is more."
"The fashion industry finds abundant inspiration from China. I am particularly interested in observing traditional Chinese garments. I have found that the cutting techniques used in traditional clothing is sometimes very simple, but it is interesting that this way is also very modern. There is a purity in the Chinese way of life that I truly appreciate. It has also influenced my affinity for minimalism, which I have always admired. I am very interested in artistic forms including writing, calligraphy and architecture, all of which I find exceptionally successful in China and their pace of development is remarkable," said Saillard.
In October 2023, Saillard visited the ancient village of Langtou in Guangzhou City, south China’s Guangdong Province.
"There is a museum about calligraphy and the art of calligraphy, and it has about ten buildings, and is a complex of carefully constructed buildings. I am also very interested to visit this museum, because it is located next to an old village. When discussing China, we often focus on the futuristic characteristics of its cities. However, this village was still composed of narrow alleys and old buildings, not to mention thousands of water lilies. It was truly a romantic setting, if I may say so, although I am not naive. It offered a fascinating and unique way to appreciate China's ancient heritage," said Saillard.
While Saillard turned his gaze toward China, Zhao Qian, director of the Beijing-based Inlife International Group, has been working to bring Chinese fashion to the international stage.
The Federation of Haute Couture and Fashion (FHCM) has strict criteria for international designers to participate in Paris Fashion Week. In 2006, due to the persistent efforts of Zhao Qian, Chinese brands achieved a breakthrough in Paris Fashion Week as the FHCM opened doors for Chinese designers.
"For twenty years, I was responsible for Paris Fashion Week in China. We have many outstanding designers and brands that may not be identical to the Western fashion scene but possess our unique characteristics. They can represent our culture and the essence of our philosophy. I hope that with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between France and China and the 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, we can deepen cooperation between the two countries in the fields of fashion, art and culture," said Zhao.
French fashion historian fosters cultural exchanges between China, France
