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Forbidden pleasure


2 February 2011

Celebrate Chinese New Year in style this year, with a trip to the Imperial Chinese Robes at the V&A.

This is a small exhibition that you could spend a very long time in – each item on show is an exquisite jewel, a labour of love and would unquestionably make you feel like royalty were you allowed to put it on. Ornamental robes of past Emperors and Empresses range from 'simple' outfits for more modest activities (only embroidered in one colour but still with extraordinary detail), through to spectacular ceremonial and wedding outfits, some of which took over 1,000 working days to embroider – showing dragons, oceans, flowers, butterflies, cranes…

See the Chinese robes at the V&A – it's on until February 27.

Find out more on the V&A website
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Imperial Chinese Robes, V&A