LONGPAO KIMONO
A short kimono becomes a refined yet fun jacket. A triumph of Marco Polo in the East and a festive reuse of a precious Etro fabric. A jacquard textile that narrates the legend of the dragon, an animal with a thousand symbolic and magical meanings: a symbol of luck, power and success. Was once the exclusive prerogative of the clothes intended for the emperor, it becomes with Risa a garment dedicated to everyone, with its comfortable fit and its enterprising character. The inside of such a precious garment could not be in any other material but pure silk to caress the skin of anyone who wants to feel pampered and hugged by the coils of this noble animal.
HISTORY
Longpao Chinese: 龙袍, pinyin: lóng páo, namely dragon gown, is Chinese imperial dressing with dragon and auspicious patterns embroideries. It required three or four master tailors to work for around two years to make this gown. The dragon is the highest-ranking animal in the Chinese animal hierarchy: it is held in high esteem for its dignity and power. Chinese people have a long held belief that they are descendents of the dragon, a tradition that is firmly embedded in the culture. It symbolizes protection, good fortune, wisdom, nobility, divinity and power. Chinese Emperors had them adorn garments and buildings to portray greatness, power and strength.
In his book, Marco Polo narrates his encounters with wild and exotic animals. Interestingly, he described a fight with what seems to be a Chinese dragon “We are dealing with another animal unknown to science [...] Leaving the city of Yachi, and traveling ten days into a westerly direction, you reach the Province of Carajan which is also the name of its chief city…Here are seen huge serpents, ten paces in length, and ten spans in the girt of the body.” An explanation for this almost fictional account arises from an archeological discovery. A strange creature resembling a dinosaur was found in Angkor Wat, Cambodia. It was built in the 12th century, not long before Marco Polo ventured into the East.
Dragon textile: jaquard- brand: Etro
Monochrome blue textile: 100% silk