Gallery: 21 of Guo Pei’s most exquisite designs in photographs

Photographer David Christopher Lee photographed 21 of Chinese designer Guo Pei’s iconic works at the Legion of Honor museum in San Francisco. 

The Legion of Honor retrospective, “Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy,” displayed 80 of Guo’s designs. The retrospective lasted from April to September this year, and reportedly drew crowds of visitors, proving that Guo’s work has grown to reach an international audience. 

Guo began her career nearly 20 years ago in China, where the 55-year-old designer is widely regarded as “China’s first couturier.” She has dressed many celebrities in her home country, including actor Li Bingbing and singer Song Zuying.

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In 2015, she reached global heights after musician Rihanna chose to wear her design “Yellow Queen.” The elaborate dress, which took Guo two years to make by hand, became an internet sensation. 

Lee’s photographs, along with other photos provided by the museum, captured the opulence that makes Guo’s body of work so distinctive for audiences who were unable to attend the exhibition. With influences from imperial China, European architecture, decorative arts and floral motifs, Guo’s dresses include elaborate stitching and pleating, rich textural elements and materials such as silk and metallic threads.

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See Lee's photographs below.

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All images via David Christopher Lee