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At the heart of our Chinese New Year (CNY) and Gentlewomen collections lies a captivating theme: The Nymph of the Luo River. We'll navigate through the rich tapestry of the poem and hand-scroll that breathe life into this renowned Chinese traditional artwork. Let's unveil the cultural intricacies and artistic brilliance that define The Nymph of the Luo River and its influence on our new year collection.
Poem: Ode to the Nymph of the Luo River by Prince Caozhi
The enchanting narrative of Ode to the Nymph of the Luo River unfolds through the lyrical poem penned by Prince Caozhi in AD 222 during the Han Dynasty. This timeless poem is an ode to Caozhi's profound love for the divine Luoshen. The poem delves into the nuances of her physique, facial expressions, and graceful postures, drawing parallels to the fluidity of a submerged fish and the allure of a descending goose. Such meticulous and vivid descriptions within the poem have not only enraptured the hearts of readers throughout the ages but have also inspired countless artists. Among these pieces of artwork, the scroll crafted by the renowned Kaizhi Gu stands out as one of the most illustrious. Its exquisite portrayal of the godness LuoShen has not only captured the essence of Caozhi's poetic musings but has also become the thematic inspiration for our CNY collection.
Gu Kaizhi (c 344-406), Nymph of the Luo River (960-1279)
Art: The Nymph of the Luo River by Kaizhi Gu
Embarking from the eloquent verses of the poem, Kaizhi Gu's masterful painting delves even more strikingly into the captivating beauty of the LuoShen. The painting is meticulously divided into distinct sections, each capturing a unique and enchanting scene from the poetic narrative.
Executed in a palette of light hues, the painting reveals a careful interplay of figures, trees, clouds, and mountains. Kaizhi Gu employed a technique where outlines delineate the forms before being delicately filled with gentle color washes. The figures, intricately portrayed, boast garments that billow and ribbon details painted so delicately that they appear to flutter in an imaginary breeze. The intentional simplification of the landscape accentuates the prominence of the figures, creating a harmonious balance.
Gu Kaizhi (c 344-406), Nymph of the Luo River (960-1279)
CNY Collection
Our CNY designs draw direct inspiration from the poem and Kaizhi Gu's artwork.
Silkinc Swan Goose Backless Cheongsam
Our backless cheongsam, featuring a classic Chinese silhouette, embodies our vision of the quintessential elegant woman, our ode to LuoShen. Adorn yourself in our uniquely designed cheongsam, and experience the allure of Chinese tradition, transforming into the embodiment of the nymph as vividly depicted in the timeless poem.
Silkinc Jinghong Swan Goose Waistcoat
Have you spotted the striking swan goose embroidery on this waistcoat? Drawing inspiration from the poem, where the swan is a symbol of elegance and beauty, this intricately crafted embroidery adds a touch of grace to the garment. Allow this waistcoat to not just be a piece of clothing but a portal to immerse yourself in the timeless allure of Chinese traditional style, where every stitch weaves a narrative of refinement and cultural richness.
Silkinc Collared Dragon Silk Jacket
Our silk jacket is thoughtfully crafted with three knot fastenings at the front, capturing the essence of traditional Chinese style. Adding a touch of enchantment, two dragon embroideries grace the pockets, drawing inspiration from the mesmerizing nymph depicted in Caozhi's poetic descriptions. With this design, we aspire to clothe every woman in an embodiment of grace, mirroring the majestic elegance of a dragon.
Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of art and poetry as Silkinc pays homage to this extraordinary piece of cultural heritage from the CNY collection.
