The Chinese luxury lifestyle label Shanghai Tang has been at work giving itself a refresh. To wit: earlier this year, the brand launched an exciting new collaboration with Korean designer Yuni Ahn, who’s got a truly impressive CV. She was the former creative director of Maison Kitsune, design director of Philo-era Celine, and even worked before at brands like Stella McCartney, Chloe and Miu Miu.
One of Ahn’s key inspirations was the 1994 Wong Kar Wai film Chungking Express. The designer, who lived in Hong Kong in the ’90s, took the film’s female heroines as a muse, drawing from them a sense of cinematic magnetism, and their spirit of modern independence.
There’s also a rather women-centric slant to Ahn’s smart designs. To develop this collection, she reportedly spoke with modern Chinese women to understand what they desired from fashion. The insights she gained are as simple as they are obvious: women want quite simply look confident and express a cool attitude.
The leather North South tote in all black is an enduring example of a stylish, well-made bag that can fit everyday essentials and more.
That explains the understated and sharply-cut pieces of this collection. Think louche tailoring and lightweight layers in sumptuous silks, cottons and wools cut perfectly for a contemporary working wardrobe. And because this is Shanghai Tang, there are naturally Chinese symbols and motifs woven into the designs. Ahn, on her part, used a lighter hand to lend them a more contemporary, and artistic look.
What’s really exciting though, are the new bags that Ahn has designed for the brand. There are two key styles: the newly-launched Fortune Cookie and a line of sophisticated leather totes. The former offers a fashion-forward edge to an everyday bag, while the latter adds a touch of chic to a business-friendly style.
Below, a closer look at the Fortune Cookie and tote bags.
To get an in-person look at these new bags, visit Shanghai Tang’s boutiques at #B2M-232 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (tel: 6688-7181) and #01‑27A Raffles City Shopping Centre (tel: 6338-6628)
