Shanghai Tang, dubbed the “first Asian luxury brand,” is delving deep into its colorful brand history with a retrospective in Hong Kong.
Known for its modern redux of traditional Chinese-style clothing, Shanghai Tang’s first exhibition was unveiled on Nov. 26 at Hong Kong’s PMQ, a historical building-turned-retail hub mixed with cultural offerings.
Titled “A Journey of Rediscovery — 30 Years of Shanghai Tang,” the exhibition includes more than 100 rare and signature pieces from the brand’s history. Curated by an in-house team, the exhibit is divided into four main sections — “Ginger Flower Tunnel,” “Wall of Fame,” “The Icons” and “Cabinet of Curiosity” — recounting key pillars of the brand’s history, including lifestyle offerings, collaboration with Chinese artists, its retail history and founder David Tang’s colorful lifestyle and personal ties with celebrity patrons. Highlights from the exhibition include tailored pieces seen on Nicole Kidman, Taiwanese supermodel Chi-Ling Lin, Hong Kong singer Richie Jen and more.
Tailored pieces from Shanghai Tang.
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In addition to shedding light on the brand’s storied past, the exhibition looks to its future with a digital showcase produced by Fabrix, the digital fashion initiative backed by the Hong Kong government. By incorporating AR technology, users can virtually try on signature Shanghai Tang pieces at the exhibition.
AR try-on.
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The exhibition will be open to the public until Dec. 15.
Often regarded as one of the first luxury brands to celebrate Chinese culture with a contemporary take, Shanghai Tang was founded in 1994 by Hong Kong businessman Tang. A colorful entrepreneur who owned China Club, a legendary members club for the city’s elite, Tang launched the Shanghai Tang Department Store, which was inspired by Shanghai‘s golden age in the 1930s.
Known for its contemporary update on iconic Chinese garments, such as the qipao and the Tang suit with the use of modern fabrics and a vibrant color palette, alongside a luxury homeware collection, Shanghai Tang quickly gained global recognition with the help of Princess Diana and Kate Moss, among other famous friends.
David Tang’s black velvet jacket paired with matching trousers.
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In 1997, Shanghai Tang’s global expansion included the landmark opening of its flagship on Madison Avenue in New York. A year later, Richemont acquired a majority stake in the company.
Following Tang’s death in 2017, the label underwent a rapid change of hands before landing in the arms of Lunar Capital, a Chinese private equity firm that also owns UCCA, a prominent contemporary art institution, and the food and beverages company Yunmi, which is behind Louis Vuitton’s The Hall restaurant in Chengdu.
After multiple iterations of brand revamp, including working with Tang’s daughter Victoria Tang-Owen and the former Celine designer Yuni Ahn, Shanghai Tang most recently tasked the Hong Kong designer Joe Li, who has served at the house twice in the past, to breathe new energy into the fashion house.