Guo Pei, who was born in 1967 in Beijing, witnessed these things unfold. So when Guo established her business named Rose Studio in 1999, one of the first difficulties she hurdled was finding a skilled craftsman to do embroidery. Apparently, Guo succeeded in facing her giant because of the 500 Rose Studio employees working for her today, 150 are embroiders and 150 are sewing technicians, pattern makers and designers.
Rose Studio is the first choice of Chinese celebrities for their elaborate gowns. For instance, in the Beijing 2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies, singer Song Zuying’s dress was designed by Rose Studio – a gown adorned with 200,000 pieces of hand-sewn Awarovski diamonds.
For the first time in September 2013, Guo had the opportunity to showcase her designs in the US at the inaugural China Fashion Night gala held in New York. It was report that a table reservation for the event was priced between $10,000 and $30,000. But this is way beyond the prices of Guo’s gowns which start at $80,000.
In order to reach the lower bracket of clients, Rose Studio opened a new store in Shanghai – one with a different mindset. The Shanghai store caters to the rapidly-growing upper middle class brides, offering demi-couture bridal gowns. With this move, Rose Studio offered the first accessible couture designs in China.
Rose Studio has also attracted many international celebrities with its Chinese culture-inspired couture. Among its international clientele are Chinese model and actress Zhang Ziyi and American artist and songwriter Lady Gaga.
In an industry primarily dominated by French couture houses such as Jean Paul Gaul, Chanel and Dior, Guo has set up a healthy rivalry, making Rose Studio a real contender as the first Chinese haute couture with international dimensions.