All Photos By Gail

Olivia Chang’s deep-rooted respect for nature and appreciation for childhood delights inform the designs for her label, Daupinette. The ensembles feature the self -taught designer’s signature preserved botanicals encased in nontoxic resin discs, connected by silver-plated stainless steel jump rings and hardware for a thoroughly unique look for spring!

Sustainably sourced from local farms or locations with personal significance – including from the garden of Cheng’s parents – the flowers visually announce Dauphinette’s eco-conscious philosophy, while simultaneously prompting a reconsideration of the way in which we interact with nature.

Cheng’s Floral Chainmaille (2018– Present) is a distinctive, first-of-its-kind technique where hundreds of preserved botanicals are intricately assembled. A waist-length top is usually crafted from over two hundred flowers. Please note this style is bespoke and made to order. See more items from Dauphinette’s Chainmaille collection at This Link.

All AbovePhotos from the Exhibit In America: a Lexicon of Fashion (2021) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Photo below taken at the NYBG Orchid Show, Florals in Fashion, March 2024.