Take home your very own piece of Checkpoint Theatre history with these custom-designed costumes by LAICHAN from Recalling Mother (2016).
About Recalling Mother:
As long-time friends and fellow theatre artists, Claire Wong and Noorlinah Mohamed would often meet and talk about their mothers and the complexities of living and not living with them. One mother is Cantonese-speaking and impetuous; the other speaks Malay and is quietly stubborn. Both are smart, sharp and strong. Both are wonderful cooks.
The Recalling Mother project began in 2006 with Claire and Noorlinah examining and charting how their relationships with their respective mothers have evolved over the years. With each performance (in 2006, 2009, 2015, and now 2016), they revisit, update, and develop further the exploration of how the bond between parent and child changes.
As they and their mothers grow older, the caretaker has now become the dependant. What happens when the body begins to age? What does love mean to a mind that is beginning to fade? And so, the conversations continue.
Poignant, moving and funny, Recalling Mother celebrates the joys and challenges of motherhood and daughterhood.
Recalling Mother was a collaboration with Esplanade – Theatres on The Bay as part of The Studios 2016.
Biography:
Lai Chan is known as Singapore’s cheongsam maestro, with a signature style that is delicately understated and rich in fine detailing. Since 1991, he has been known for combining fabrics from around the world, ranging from Italian silk crêpes and delicate French laces to ethereal Japanese silk.
Today, Lai Chan – with almost four decades of dressmaking experience – has established himself in the fashion industry with his elaborate couture gowns and cheongsams. His works are pretty much one-of-a-kind, so much so that dignitaries, celebrities and socialites are his regulars. His boutique in Paragon along Orchard Road is a treasure trove of his meditations on the cheongsam.
Lai Chan starts his design process by taking inspiration from contemporary lifestyle pieces and translating them into the fabric, proportions, and details of his signature cheongsam. One of the techniques that he uses is the bias cut. He then puts the pieces together, such as tulle, lace, beads, and other details, before calculating the weight of the garments. This step is pivotal in his design process to see how beautiful the garment will look and feel when worn and not just hanging on the rack.
Specifications:
– Auction winner will collect the costumes by LAICHAN during Checkpoint Celebrates! 2024
– 1 x Blue and Orange Custom-Designed Dress (with safety pants)
Chest (Bust): 17”
Waist: 13”
Hips: 19”
Arm Opening: 8.5”
Sleeve Opening: 5”
Sleeve Length: 11”
Length: 40.5”
Best Fits: UK 8
– 1 x Yellow Custom-Designed Outerwear
Bust: 21.5”
Waist: 21.5”
Arm Opening: 10”
Sleeve Opening: 6.5”
Sleeve Length: 16”
Length: 30”
Best Fits: UK 18
– 1 x Brown Custom-Designed Sleeveless Top
Bust: 21.5”
Waist: 21”
Arm Opening: 11”
Length: 22.5”
Best Fits: UK 18
– 1 x Brown Custom-Designed Pants
Waist: 16”-22”
Hips: 20.5”
Rise: 9.5”
Thigh Opening: 13.5”
Leg Opening: 7”
Length: 36.5”
Best Fits: UK 18
