Couture compatriot

Guo Pei is no stranger to embroidery.

In fact, she may be a master in the field going by the world headlines surrounding a flaming yellow cape dress she designed for rock star Rihanna, who wore it to a high-profile New York event in May. But even so, until recently, Guo probably hadn't gauged the depths to which her artisans travel to make her garments look good.

A few months ago, during a visit to her workshop in Beijing, the 48-year-old Chinese fashion designer was alarmed by the repeated sound of snapping thread. Her team members there were engaged in exquisite needlework on a dress she created.