While the durability of ancient fabrics can be tied to the materials they are made of, the particular environmental conditions they were left in are what primarily preserved them.
Linen was made from the fibers of the flax plant and, in ancient Egypt, was the most common textile utilized as it helped people to cope with the subtropical heat. The oldest clothing item recorded is the linen Tarkhan dress from Egypt’s first Dynasty approximately 5,000 years ago.
Additionally, the high shoulders call to mind the characteristic shape of the flattened and pleated sleeves - or "butterfly sleeves" - of the modern Filipiniana or terno dress.
This particular sartorial feature was also seen on a black fur coat worn by Queen Padmé Amidala in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" since, once again, the attire of Khalkha Mongolian nobility served as inspiration.
The rounded high shoulders of the coat reference those seen on the costumes of aristocratic Outer Mongolia Khalkha women.
Soaring dragons and flying fishes amidst crashing waves adorn the floor-length sleeves of the coat. Flaming pearls, which symbolize knowledge and good fortune, are scattered throughout the seascape.
The dress itself is made of "raden ori" (mother-of-pearl fabric), sourced from a specialized Japanese manufacturer.
The gown embodies Guo Pei's aesthetics and approach to couture with its exquisite craftsmanship, and with how it pays homage to not only Chinese culture, but also to other Asian cultures in its ornate silk embroidery, its style and silhouette, and its materials.