Monthly Archives: January 2024

In yesterday's exploration of fine hair ornaments from Taipei's National Palace Museum, we also looked at a dragon-shaped coral hairpin, but there are many more in the collections of the museum, including one with a silver-gilded coiled dragon surrounded by … Continue reading →

In yesterday's post, we explored the idea of revamping fingernail guards for a contemporary and striking accessory concept. However, Taipei's National Palace Museum boasts a rich collection of accessories beyond fingernail guards, including intricate hairpins and hair ornaments that offer … Continue reading →

In the previous post we looked at a mini-box from the collections at Taipei's National Palace Museum characterised by a design that we may want to reinvent in the modern packaging of makeup products. Are there other exquisitely carved designs … Continue reading →

We do live in an era in which there is an undeniable penchant for grandiose, simplistic structures and objects. Perhaps it's because they instantly capture our attention and can be swiftly appreciated or maybe it is because they're incredibly "Instagrammable". … Continue reading →

In the second image in yesterday's post, next to the spherical ornament we analyzed in that article, there is another piece that may prove intriguing for designers, but also for architects, a meticulously crafted ivory nine-storey pagoda from the Qing … Continue reading →

Some museums all over the world include in their collections Chinese carved objects made with a variety of materials, from bamboo and ivory to soapstone. The highest esteem was actually afforded to works in bamboo, while ivory lacked particular associations … Continue reading →

In yesterday's post we looked at a film that entered public domain in the US, and that had a striking set reproducing a sort of concrete fortification. So, for today, let's combine these two themes – public domain and the … Continue reading →

The 1928 film "The Passion of Joan of Arc" (La Passion de Jeanne d'Arc), directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, written by Joseph Delteil, and with cinematography by Rudolph Maté, has just entered the public domain in the United States. So, … Continue reading →

Predicting the upcoming fashion trends for the year is no mean feat, but one thing is certain – expect to see numerous companies and fashion houses incorporating prints or motifs featuring Mickey Mouse from Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" in their … Continue reading →

Anniversaries can be inspiring, and film anniversaries can hold a special place in our cultural memory, offering an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact of cinematic masterpieces. "Fashions of 1934" directed by William Dieterle turns 90 this year, for … Continue reading →