For the first time ever, Singapore will witness its very own groundbreaking heritage initiative – an art inspired collaboration between a Singapore fashion label and three Singapore artists, review the craft of an extraordinary culture most unique to our community whilst experiencing the support of its major
creative and tourism government agencies as well as corporate partners. Having its official opening tomorrow for invited guests, Eternity by Fuchsia Lane will be open to the public from 28 January till 16 February 2010. Check back soon as we’ll bring you some coverage from the opening night. More info below.

ION Art Gallery is located at  L4, ION Orchard

Supported by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore’s newest landmark mall ION Orchard, ‘ETERNITY by Fuchsia Lane – Celebrating Art in Fashion and Weddings’ is a three-week long exhibition held from 28 January to 16 February at ION Art Gallery, Level Four, ION Orchard. The exhibition will showcase a series of eight art inspired gowns by local designer Vivienne Lin in collaboration with three local artists, Justin Lee, Susan Ong and Adeline Yeo.

Adapted from the artworks based on each of the artists’ rendition of ‘Eternity’, fashion designer Vivienne Lin worked with a team of skilled, rare Peranakan embroiders, as well as beading veterans to incorporate the artwork into eight luxurious gowns in this exclusive wearable art series.

“9000 man hours, 8000 Swarovski crystals, 16 corporate partners, three creative artists and one local design label, I am thrilled that we can finally present to the world what we are most proud of – a truly ‘Uniquely Singapore’ endeavour; our very own art inspired heritage series, a one-of-a-kind fashion collection showcase by our creative talents, a class that is also a cut above all! – Vivienne Lin, Founder and Creative Director of Fuchsia Lane.

Drawing similar parallels from fiction to screen adaptations, or that of print to film, the semblance of how blueprints can be re-presented, has in this case, been manifested by each visually arresting piece of artwork in its wearable form.

Closely associated with his signature and funky pop chinoiserie art, Justin Lee (Montblanc Young Artist Award winner) has inspired the creations of ‘The Happiness Gown’, ‘Goldfish In Love’, ‘Rose Blossoms’, ‘Happiness Peonies’ and ‘Love Birds’ gowns that have either been studded with thousands of Swarovski crystals or pearls, while featuring the popular auspicious ‘Happiness’ wedding motif finely embroidered in typical Peranakan fashion.

Susan Ong’s Chinese ink paintings has motivated Vivienne to use silk organza and Swarovski crystals to beautify the peranakan embroidered designs that have been carefully detailed within the ‘Whimsical Swallows’ as well as the ‘Plum Romance Blossom’ gowns.

The phoenix painting rendered by popular public relations consultant Adeline Yeo, who is of Portuguese and Peranakan heritage, has been represented in full embroidery and painstakingly accessorised with Swarovskis in an exquisite duchess satin mermaid-like gown. In fact, ‘The Phoenix Gown’ was also the choice of Mrs Grace Chew’s national costume during the Mrs World 2009 Pageant held in Vietnam during November last
year.

Though its uniqueness has been widely publicized in magazines, coffeetable books, newspapers and some tourism promoting materials highlighting the Peranakan culture as one that is rare and beautiful, and an extraordinary blend of two dominant cultures, the world of the Peranakan is still a disappearing one.