Rihanna's 2015 Met Gala dress designer Guo Pei is selling her first couture gown at auction

In a first for Sotheby's a couture gown will be auctioned off next Tuesday... and it won't come cheap
Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015
Getty Images
Chloe Street25 October 2019

When Rihanna wore a dramatic yellow gown to the Met Gala in 2015 with a fur-trimmed train so vast it was quickly dubbed ‘the omelette dress,’ it sparked a global media frenzy and catapulted the woman behind the dramatic creation, Chinese couturier Guo Pei, onto the international stage.

The look was so powerful one would be forgiven for assuming Rihanna had the dress tailor made. In fact, it had been sitting in Guo Pei’s studio since her 2010 couture show when the singer’s team came across it after making inquiries into Chinese couture during the run up to the Gala, the theme of which was China: Through the Looking Glass.

“In the beginning when Rihanna reached out, I didn’t know who she was because I was not really paying attention to the entertainment world, I wasn’t really a red carpet designer,” says Pei over tea at Sotheby’s on Bond Street, where she has submitted one of her designs to be auctioned for the first time.

“I was actually nervous as I didn’t know if Rihanna would be able to carry it off, it’s such a heavy dress and such a unique piece.”

Rihanna attends the "China: Through The Looking Glass" Costume Institute Benefit Gala at the  Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015
Getty Images

Weighing a whopping 25kg, Pei’s concerns were based on experience. She had watched the model struggle under its epic weight at the 2010 show. Accompanying Rihanna to the Met Gala however, Pei quickly realised she needn’t have worried. Badgalriri was the woman for the job.

“I really appreciate Rihanna for giving this dress a second chance, a chance to come to life again,” she says.

Rihanna loaned the omelette dress, but Pei will not alter her works of art to fit. Much like Cinderella’s shoes, the person must fit the dress rather than vice versa. For those seeking bespoke, Guo Pei accepts dress commissions, prices for which start at £1 million per dress.

Until now that is. As next Tuesday, for the first time ever, China’s ‘Queen of Couture’ will offer one of her couture dresses for sale as part of Sotheby’s Gold: The Midas Touch Sale.

Gold Traditional Bridal Dress, Guo Pei
Sotheby's

The dress in question is ‘Gold Traditional Bridal Dress,’ which took five years to meticulously craft and is hand sewn with gold thread in-laid with precious metal. It’s estimated to sell for £500,000- £700,000, but given what a rare opportunity this is to acquire a piece from the designer’s significant couture collections, it may go for more.

Not only is it the first time Pei has put her couture up for sale, but it’s also the first time Sotheby’s has auctioned a dress as an art piece, rather than clothes from a collector.

Guo Pei in her studio
Sotheby's

“It’s an important moment for me and for Sothebys, as I feel like the whole couture world is watching to see if people can actually accept a couture dress as a work of art,” says Guo Pei.

Pei hopes the dress will not only be seen to represent craftsmanship and creativity, but also be worn, and become a part of someone’s life. “Dresses are not made for display,” she says. “They should be worn by someone, and then that person gives it a personality, a whole new life.”

Gold Traditional Bridal Dress, Guo Pei
Sotheby's

Should the winning bidder wish to wear the work of art (and really, I’ve seen it in the flesh, it’s staggering), Pei will tailor it to fit them. “And I have a 100 year warranty – you can change it anytime if you lose weight!” she giggles mischievously.

Which is more than can be said for poor Lady Gaga, who asked Guo Pei to send her some designs to try on a few years back, but found she was too petite for them to fit.

Gold Traditional Bridal Dress, Guo Pei

“I didn’t really want to change the piece just for that so she couldn’t wear them,” says Pei. “The dress has to find the right person. Its fate.”

Gold Traditional Brigal Dress will go on sale with an estimate of £500,000- 3700,000 as part of the Gold: The Midas Touch Sale, 29 October at Sotherby's London

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