A 190 × 53 cm cape shawl in gambiered Canton gauze — xiangyun sha — woven with a floral luo jacquard pattern in the tradition of Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom, hand-stitched in double layer, and fastened at the neckline with a frog button. The two sides present distinct colourways: a deep teal ground on the face, a warm rust on the reverse. 100% mulberry silk. Slight variations of ±3 cm may occur.
DESIGN
Vincent van Gogh painted Almond Blossom in February 1890 to celebrate the birth of his nephew. He chose the subject deliberately — almond trees bloom first among all trees, pushing white and pale pink flowers into a cold blue sky while winter still holds. For Van Gogh, the blossoming branch against open sky was a symbol of new life and the persistence of beauty in difficult seasons.
Here, that same image is reborn in gambiered Canton gauze. Branches reach across a deep teal ground — the colour of the sky Van Gogh chose — carrying blossoms in cream and soft gold. The pattern is woven as a floral luo jacquard directly into the silk, so the motifs have the relief and depth of the weave itself rather than the flatness of print. In certain light, the blossoms seem to float above the ground.
The reverse presents a warm rust ground — equally considered, equally finished — making this cape genuinely double-sided.
THE CRAFT
Gambiered Canton gauze — 香云纱, xiangyun sha — is among the most laborious silk preparations in Chinese textile tradition. Artisans coat the raw silk with yam-plant sap and bury it in Pearl River mud, then sun-dry it repeatedly. The process gives the silk its characteristic deep colour, supple handle, and a surface that no industrial process can replicate. No two pieces are exactly alike.
The luo jacquard weave — 花罗提花 — is a complex open-weave structure that dates to the Han dynasty. It produces a fabric with a subtle, breathable lattice and a surface of unusual tonal depth. The floral motifs are constructed within the weave during production, not applied afterward. The result is a textile that rewards close examination: at distance, it reads as colour and movement; up close, the weave reveals its full complexity.
Both layers are joined along every edge by hand-stitching, and the frog button at the neckline is a traditional Chinese knotwork closure, itself tied by hand from a length of silk cord.
GUIDE
At 190 cm, this is the most generous cape in the collection. Fasten the frog button and let both layers fall over the shoulders — teal facing outward for a bold, painterly statement, or rust for a warmer, more autumnal look. The length allows for a full, sweeping drape that moves well.
- White and ivory dress or blouse — the teal reads cleanly against a pale ground
- Black and deep navy for evening — the blossoms glow against dark clothing
- Camel and tan coats for autumn — the rust reverse comes into its own
- Qipao and formal dress for celebrations and ceremonies
CARE
Gambiered Canton gauze requires specialist care. Entrust this piece to a dry cleaner with experience in silk. Do not bleach, machine wash, wring, or tumble dry. Do not iron above 110°C. Dry in shade away from direct sunlight. Store folded in a breathable bag. See our Silk Care Guide for full instructions.
DELIVERY & RETURNS
See our Delivery Policy and Refund Policy.
GIFTING
Each cape arrives in luxury gift packaging with a coordinating bag and complimentary greeting card. The apricot blossom motif carries, in both Western and Chinese traditions, a meaning of new beginnings and enduring beauty — making this a particularly considered gift. Gift recipients may exchange within the standard return period.
