Marking its 100th anniversary, Italian luxury house Loro Piana is paying homage to its rich heritage and deep connection to China with its first-ever exhibition. If You Know, You Know — Loro Piana’s Quest for Excellence is on display at the Museum of Art Pudong in Shanghai, making Loro Piana the first luxury brand to be showcased at this prestigious museum. Curated by renowned exhibition maker Judith Clark, the retrospective offers a captivating journey through Loro Piana’s history, savoir-faire, and pursuit of the finest raw materials.
Spanning over 1,000 square metres across three galleries, the exhibition features archival documents, artworks, heirloom fabrics, and 33 specially created silhouettes that highlight the Maison’s commitment to craftsmanship and innovation. The exhibition begins with The Story of Loro Piana, a museum-within-a-museum exploring the origins of the family business through historic photographs, documents, and artworks. Visitors are guided through Loro Piana’s fashion icons, meticulous quality control process, and the unique landscapes from which their rare fibres are sourced.
A white-tiled lab illustrates the surgical precision of the quality control process, while miniature landscapes represent the territories where fibres like cashmere, vicuña, denim, Merino wool, and linen are sourced. The exhibition’s ambiance softens as visitors progress, with padded walls and carpeted floors evoking the softness visible in the sculptural garments on display. The concept of softness reaches its apex in the Cocooning room, where walls padded in cashmere and jacket lining material create an inviting sense of warmth.
The thistle, both a tool and motif in Loro Piana’s history, takes centre stage in the second part. The original thistle machine, shipped from Italy to Shanghai, symbolises the textile tradition of softening coarse fabrics. A stunning spherical dress handmade from cashmere flowers pays tribute to the flora of Valsesia, Loro Piana’s homeland.
A mesmerising hoop skirt and hat, adorned with a delicate thistle motif and requiring 1,000 hours of embroidery work, further showcase the Maison’s craftsmanship. The final segment transports visitors to Loro Piana’s roots with an immersive film. A billowing silk satin ensemble featuring Lunéville embroidery depicting Valsesia’s lush landscape stands tall — a testament to the 1,850 hours of work required to complete it.