Hong Wai 洪慧: Secret de Boudoir series - Vanitas (秘密閨房)

Hong Wai was inspired by European Vanitas paintings, a special genre that primarily consists of still-life works, which emerged in the early 17th century in the Netherlands. Vanitas paintings use allegorical objects with strong symbolic meanings, such as skulls representing death or wilted flowers symbolizing aging. In this series, Hong Wai uses ink to depict lace-adorned lingerie, high heels, perfume bottles, skulls, and other objects. Though they may appear captivating at first glance, they are symbolic elements of Vanitas art. 

This series was part of a collaboration with the renowned French brand Aubade, using French lace and Swiss embroidery techniques to interpret Hong Wai’s ink art, resulting in the Encre de Chine lingerie collection, which was launched in Europe, the United States, and Asia. Each year, Aubade collaborates with an internationally renowned haute couture designer to release a special collection. Past collaborators have included famous designers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Iris Van Herpen, and Christian Lacroix. Hong Wai is the only fine artist (non-designer) to have been invited for such a collaboration.

In the Secret Boudoir — Vanitas Series, Hong Wai masterfully intertwines the allure of delicate lace and luxurious lingerie with the sobering symbolism of traditional Vanitas motifs. Through the intricate ink renderings of skulls, perfume bottles, and lace-adorned objects, the artist invites viewers to contemplate the transient nature of beauty and the inevitability of mortality. This collaboration with Aubade not only showcases the fusion of fine art with haute couture craftsmanship but also underscores Hong Wai's unique position as a visionary artist exploring profound themes within the realm of contemporary fashion and art.