A World of Style: Andrew Gn’s Dazzling Fashion Comes to Salem

SPONSORED CONTENT | Written by Destination Salem

There’s a kind of magic that happens when fashion becomes more than clothing—when it transforms into a celebration of heritage, identity, and artistry. This fall, that magic takes center stage at the Peabody Essex Museum with Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World, a breathtaking retrospective of one of Asia’s most celebrated fashion designers. On view from September 13, 2025, through February 16, 2026, the exhibition marks its North American debut in Salem, offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience the world of Andrew Gn up close.

Over the course of his prolific 25-year career, Singapore-born, Paris-based designer Andrew Gn has created more than 80 collections and an astonishing 10,000 garments. But this is not just a numbers game. Each piece in his repertoire tells a story—of craftsmanship, of cultural exchange, and of a designer whose bold aesthetic blends the traditions of East and West. Known for intricate embellishments, vivid patterns, and flawless tailoring, Gn has long been praised for his opulent and imaginative creations. Vogue has called him a “pioneer among foreign-born, Paris-based designers,” and this exhibition proves why.

Divided into thematic sections, Fashioning the World invites museum goers into Gn’s deeply layered creative universe. Nearly 100 ensembles and accessories are on display, along with original illustrations and digital media that offer a behind-the-scenes look at his artistic process. Visitors can expect to see an exquisite blend of influences: European historical fashion, Chinese porcelain, Southeast Asian textiles, and Art Nouveau all find a place in Gn’s world, each element reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The result is clothing that feels both timeless and utterly modern.

Beyond the garments themselves, the exhibit explores how fashion can reflect larger global narratives. Gn’s work is not only beautiful—it’s intellectually engaging. He’s a dressmaker with the eye of a curator, a collector of decorative arts whose knowledge informs his silhouettes and surface details. Whether it’s a caftan adorned with a synthetic coral print or a crepe gown embroidered with Art Deco-inspired florals, each look carries layers of meaning and technique. And while the clothes are museum-worthy, they are not relics of the past. They remain deeply wearable, designed for real women who want to feel powerful, glamorous, and seen.

Fashioning the World also highlights Gn’s role as a bridge between cultures. Having founded his fashion house in Paris in 1995, he has continuously infused his work with an international perspective. His designs serve as a dialogue between East and West, tradition and innovation, fantasy and function. In a fashion industry often focused on trends, Andrew Gn stands out for his ability to weave storytelling and symbolism into every seam.

Presented in collaboration with the Asian Civilisations Museum in Singapore, this exhibition reflects a global commitment to celebrating design as both an art form and a cultural force. It’s also a visual feast—one that will captivate everyone from fashion aficionados to museum regulars to first-time visitors. Whether you come for the rich textiles, the sculptural silhouettes, or the stories they tell, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of fashion’s ability to shape and reflect the world around us.

For Salem locals and visitors alike, Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World offers yet another reason to explore PEM this season. And with nearly a century of design, creativity, and cultural history packed into a single exhibition, it’s not just about what you’ll see—it’s about what you’ll remember.

Timed-entry tickets are available now. Learn more and plan your visit at pem.org. Follow along with the exhibit on social media using #PEMAndrewGnFashion.