ICICLE | Shanghai Museum

 

In an ongoing collaboration with the Shanghai Museum, ICICLE draws upon the profound heritage of classical Chinese painting to create garments that honour tradition while resonating with modern life. 

This artistic exchange, rooted in reverence and reinterpretation, bridges centuries of visual poetry and craftsmanship through a contemporary lens.

 

 

The first collection, The Spring Returns, Blessings Endure, takes inspiration from Paradise Flycatcher Duo Amidst Peach Blossoms by Yu Sheng, one of the Ten Great Painters of the Qing Court.

Symbolising renewal, harmony, and longevity, the work depicts two ribbon-tailed birds nestled among blooming peach blossoms.

ICICLE translated this poetic vision onto a garment crafted in fine wool and cashmere, using intricate dyeing and printing techniques to preserve the brushwork's subtlety and emotional resonance.

 

 

The second chapter draws from Floral Album: Broad Bean Flower by Yun Shouping, one of the Six Masters of the early Qing dynasty. 

This masterpiece is known for its ethereal "water-diffused hues" and quiet grace.

ICICLE reimagines it in natural ramie and heavy crepe silk, fabrics chosen for their purity and texture, bringing the lightness and refinement of the original painting into an elegant, wearable form.

Each collection is an act of cultural continuity. From Emperor Qianlong’s court to today’s modern wardrobe, these pieces embody a shared pursuit of artistry, simplicity, and beauty in harmony with nature.