Gold embroidery comes back in triumphant style
After years in the shadows, gold embroidery looks ready to stage a comeback this autumn as one of the dominant features in elegant evening wear and ready-to-wear ensembles, according to Hong Kong fashion designer Dorian Ho.
Lustrous metallic stitching in gold and bronze will add colour and brighten up a fashion mood that has been dominated by black in recent years.
The rising popularity of gold embroidery coincides with a reversal in the 22-year price decline for gold bullion, which recently broke out of its downtrend to trade at more than US$350 per ounce.
Mr Ho plans to accentuate several dress designs with gold embroidered stitching in a 60-piece house show, at Venue B at 6pm on Friday.
One of the highlights will be a series of cocktail dresses adorned with embroidery beading and sequins in a look that reflects Mr Ho's signature classic chic.
The designer says the show will be a fairly lengthy event, with evening wear, ready-to-wear, and mix-and-match elements.
The collection, which the designer has been working on for the past three months, is part of the Dorian Ho label, introduced 18 months ago in Australia. The designs will focus on the 2003 autumn and winter season, with a balance of evening and daytime wear.
Ten pieces from the collection were previewed at the Hong Kong Fashion Extravaganza, held earlier this week, alongside the work of three other prominent local designers.
Mr Ho studied marketing at Boston University. On returning to Hong Kong he joined the family business, which produces high-quality knitwear for international brands.
In 1993, he established Doriano International, under which he launched his first label, Doriano.
Mr Ho's designs received favourable reviews from the American and European press at a fashion show in New York in September 2001.
Recent shows in Hong Kong and Sydney have also earned praise for the designer.
Mr Ho's designs are created for the contemporary woman.
'The collection is designed for modern women seeking apparel that ranges from ready-to-wear to haute couture,' he says.
Locally the label is available through Lane Crawford.
Mr Ho sees fashion as an expression of art.
'A beautiful piece of work speaks a language of its own, while bringing out the inner quality and charm of each individual,' he says.
In addition to high-end fashion, Mr Ho's company provides uniform design and manufacturing, haute couture design and manufacturing services.
