Traditional Handicrafts and Clothing Auction

A hush falls over the grand hall at the Beijing Contemporary Art Foundation ( BCAF): soft spotlights illuminate glass vitrines, and a gentle murmur drifts through the crowd. Against a backdrop of deep indigo drapery stamped with the Vogue “V” and the BCAF emblem in gold leaf, eight one-of-a-kind creations await their new homes. In partnership with Vogue Fashion & Beauty, Yongle Auctions, and Phillips, BCAF presents the “Traditional Handicrafts and Clothing Auction,” showcasing treasures born of China’ s millennia-old techniques and reimagined by world-renowned designers. Every brush of the hammer, every winning bid will funnel directly into programs that nourish artisans’ workshops, fund apprenticeships, and keep ancestral crafts alive for generations to come.

#01 Nanjing Yun Brocade x Maison Margiela

Under a cluster of amber lanterns, John Galliano’s take on the brand’s iconic Snatched handbag glows like molten sunset. Strips of turquoise and sunset-orange brocade—threaded with slivers of gold foil—are quilted against smooth calfskin. The clasp, wrought in burnished brass, pivots like a miniature temple door. Each stitch echoes the ancient looms of Nanjing, yet the shape remains unmistakably Margiela: sharp angles, an exaggerated triangular base, and an off-center silhouette that whispers rebellion.

#02 Yi Silver Jewelry x BALMAIN

A bolt of crimson velvet spills onto a glass plinth, its sharp V-neck plunging into a corset that cinches the waist like the curve of a warrior’s breastplate. Over this canvas, Yi silversmiths have draped polished bands of filigreed silver, each link hammered and folded by hand. The three-dimensional shoulders jut upward like modern armor; beneath them, rows of silver tassels sway when you brush past. The skirt’s straight lines are cut in architectural precision, transforming a red velvet gown into a statement of strength and resilience.

#03 Shangdang Piled Brocade x Jason Wu & CPLUS SERIES

Beneath soft spotlights, a floor-length dress unfurls in a riot of scarlet and ivory blossoms. This gown is a collaboration between Jason Wu, CPLUS SERIES founder Boogie Liu, and master weaver Han Ling, whose nimble fingers have layered over twenty years of Shangdang piled brocade at the waist. Each peony petal is hand-stitched, raised into sculptural relief, so that the floral motif seems to pulse with life. The heavy silk skirt drapes like a river of molten jade and garnet, inviting onlookers to pause—if only for a moment— to catch their breath.

#04 Dulong Ethnic Woven Tapestry x Gabriela Hearst

Gabriela Hearst’s cloak is a study in contrasts: dense, hand-woven panels by the Dulong sisters—rich in indigo hues and earthen reds—are cut into sweeping lengths that sweep the floor. The wool, still faintly scented of mountain air, is lined with soft bark-tanned leather. As you wrap it around your shoulders, the tactile grain of ancient patterns meets the supple warmth of modern tailoring, evoking Uruguay’s windswept ranches even as it honors the Dulong’s remote riverside villages.

#05 Bamboo Weaving x SHANG XIA

Yang Li’s dress emerges from a latticework of thin bamboo strips, woven so finely they resemble filigree metal. Understage lights catch the subtle sheen of each green-tinged strand. The bodice curves around the torso like a bamboo basket, then flares into a skirt whose overlapping weaves ripple when the model moves. The raw ends of bamboo peek out like teeth, a reminder of the material’s origin even as the silhouette remains pure, contemporary, and entirely Li’s vision of “modern Chinese elegance.”

#06 Jino Tribe Machete Cloth x Tory Burch

A casual glance at this tote reveals alternating bands of rust, olive, and ivory—each stripe hand-woven by Jino artisans in Yunnan. Up close, you notice the undulating texture of machete cloth: threshing-machine leftovers reborn as fabric. Tory Burch frames the textile in buttery leather panels, sets brass hardware against jute-wrapped handles, and tucks a suede pocket inside. The result: a cross-body bag that hums with tribal rhythms and international polish in equal measure.

#07 Tujia Brocade Xilankapu x Ming Ma

On a raised platform stands a sheer black chiffon gown overlaid with panels of Tujia Xilankapu brocade from Hubei—royal blue threads dancing in silver and gold. Designer Ming Ma has slashed the skirt into slender, vertical pleats so that each step reveals flashes of brocade beneath. The high neckline and sculpted shoulders speak of haute couture precision, yet the heartbeat of the dress lies in those ancient motifs: swirling clouds, stylized birds, and geometric blossoms immortalized in thread.

#08 Tianhelou Silver Flower Silk x Shanghai Tang & Caroline Hu

Under a solitary beam of light, a silk qipao shimmers like pearlescent water. Delicate silver-flower motifs—born in Tianhelou’s workshops—float across the ivory fabric. Caroline Hu has shortened the hem to just below the knee, added slits at the sides, and softened the mandarin collar for everyday wear. When you run your fingers over the silver threads, you feel both the crisp snap of fresh silk and the cool, silvery whispers of centuries-old lore.

Introduction of Collaborating Parties

• Vogue Fashion & Beauty: From glossy first prints to virtual runway streams, Vogue has shaped global style for over a century. Its editors pore over mood boards by candlelight, chasing the ephemeral spark of tomorrow’s trends.

• Beijing Yongle International Auction Co., Ltd.: Behind oak-paneled doors and gleaming gavel stands, Yongle has conducted auctions of imperial paintings, rare ceramics, and modern marvels since 2005. Each catalogue is a leather-bound testament to China’s living heritage.

• Phillips: In marble-floored rooms across London, New York, and Hong Kong, Phillips pairs collectors with twentieth- and twenty-first-century art, design, photography, and jewelry. Their specialists travel the world, eyes sharp for the next masterpiece on the cutting edge of culture.