PS: How has the fashion industry evolved in China? Did the pandemic affect the ready-to-wear or couture market in any way?
GP: The country was at first very guarded, but over the last 40 years, they've finally opened up to new ideas and subjects. The emergence of fashion and style really only took place in the past two decades, when people started understanding the concept of fashion. Haute couture then started gaining popularity. But would I say that the Chinese consumers today understand it? I believe not. They may think that haute couture is anything that's expensive or anything that's custom made. They don't understand what I'm designing. They thought, "Guo Pei's style is weird. Why would she design such clothing?"
If it's not wearable, you cannot sell it. If you cannot sell, it's not profitable. In their mind, life's mission is to make money. Otherwise, there's no need to devote yourself in that field. Money is still very important in China. But I trust that people will come to realize that beauty is the ultimate goal because life is not just about wealth creation.
