The week of Nanjing at the Milan Expo was illuminated by a sumptuous fashion parade by well-known Chinese designer Laurence Xu, who, at the Pelota, on a mirrored catwalk evocative of a spring of water, presented forty Western-style dresses, made of precious Nanjing brocade. This Chinese city, set to become a centre of design, has a long tradition in the manual weaving of brocade, still rigged on ancient wooden frames and woven thread by thread with Chinese patience.
Flowers, dragons and arabesques rise up sparkling silver and gold out of gaudy backgrounds, returning a vaporous effect, such is the delicacy of the threads that make up the patterns. The elaborate traditional designs were inspired by the mountains of Nanjing, the crystal clear waters of its rivers, the luxuriance of the forests and the atmosphere of the four seasons, and blooms from the snow-capped mountains. The wonder was accentuated by the contrast between the simplicity of contemporary flared skirts and tight bodices that bloomed from the precious and meticulous weaving technique handed down from an ancient and virtuous expertise.
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