Andrew Gn Exhibition Debuts at Peabody Essex Museum This Fall

This September, our arts community has an extraordinary opportunity to explore the intersection of global culture and high fashion as the Peabody Essex Museum presents the North American debut of Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World. Opening September 13, 2025, this remarkable exhibition invites us to discover how one designer’s vision transformed cross-cultural inspiration into internationally acclaimed fashion.

A Designer Who Bridges Worlds

Andrew Gn’s story resonates deeply with today’s entrepreneurial artists who understand that authentic innovation often emerges from embracing diverse influences. Born in Singapore in 1966, Gn built his Paris atelier into a globally recognized fashion house by celebrating his multicultural heritage rather than hiding it.

For nearly three decades, the House of Andrew Gn produced what industry insiders call “demi-couture” – ready-to-wear pieces that rival traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail. What makes this particularly inspiring for our community is how Gn maintained artistic control by designing everything in-house, from fabrics to embroideries to the smallest decorative elements. Andrew Gn exhibition

Cross-Cultural Innovation in Action

The exhibition showcases nearly 100 stunning works that demonstrate how thoughtful cultural exchange can create something entirely new. Gn’s approach offers valuable lessons for any professional navigating today’s interconnected world. His designs draw inspiration from Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern aesthetics, transforming elements like imperial porcelain patterns, batik techniques, and Iznik pottery into contemporary fashion statements.

One standout piece exemplifies this philosophy: a sleeveless wool minidress from Gn’s Hope and Glory Collection, where decorative buttons were inspired by traditional Peranakan kerosang brooches. This isn’t appropriation – it’s personal heritage reimagined through contemporary design thinking.

What This Means for Our Arts Community

Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World offers more than beautiful objects to admire. It presents a masterclass in how artists and designers can:

• Honor heritage while pushing boundaries – Gn’s work shows us how personal and cultural history can become a foundation for innovation rather than a limitation
• Build sustainable artistic businesses – The House of Andrew Gn remained financially independent for 28 years, proving that artistic integrity and commercial success can coexist
• Collaborate across cultures respectfully – The exhibition explores the complexity of cultural influence through the lens of a designer with genuine cross-cultural connections

Making Connections: Salem and Singapore

The exhibition’s location at PEM creates fascinating parallels worth exploring. Both Salem and Singapore developed as culturally rich port cities, making this collaboration between PEM and Singapore’s Asian Civilisations Museum particularly meaningful. For visitors, this connection offers insights into how geographic and cultural crossroads have always fostered artistic innovation.

Plan Your Visit

Andrew Gn: Fashioning the World runs from September 13, 2025, through February 16, 2026, at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. The exhibition includes a press and influencer preview on September 10, and a limited-edition 128-page book will be available exclusively through the PEM Shop. Andrew Gn exhibition

For those following along on social media, use #PEMAndrewGnFashion to join the conversation and share discoveries from your visit.

Beyond the Exhibition

This exhibition represents more than a single designer’s career – it explores how professionals in any field can navigate global influences while maintaining authentic artistic vision. Whether you’re a fashion designer, visual artist, or entrepreneur, Gn’s approach offers valuable insights into building a practice that honors diverse influences while developing something uniquely your own.