Shanghai Tang: modern Chinese chic
November 6th, 2008Shanghai Tang is an upscale Hong Kong store that epitomizes fusion. Its offerings combine ancient Chinese designs with a contemporary and often humourous Western flavour. Other than ready-made and tailor-made apparel for men, women and children, Shanghai Tang also offers a wide selection of trendy home furnishings and gifts. With gleaming antique wooden furniture, modern artwork and pristinely presented sales staff, it’s a beautiful and very colourful store that’s well worth a visit just for its aesthetic integrity.
On our recent trip to my favourite city, Phoebe and I went to Shanghai Tang and perused their racks of exquisitely embroidered and superbly made, embellished clothing. We gasped at knitwear and handbags that were trimmed with jade and dresses that were sewn with gold thread (quite the laundry challenge). Their homeware area was rich with handmade silk-covered photo albums, silver plated dim-sum baskets, ornate chopsticks, vibrant picture frames and arty porcelain jewelry boxes. Shanghai Tang also offers a revolutionary line of watches and accessories with Chairman Mao’s image. Super funky.
As much as I’d like to have come home with a luxurious statement Shanghai Tang piece, it wasn’t on the cards. But their menswear range was fab and a lot more affordable. Greg came home with a hip top that he’s already worn several times. My gift was the cheerful pink and green shopping bag it was packaged in. The colours match our site.
That’s all for the Hong Kong series folks. We thoroughly enjoyed presenting these posts and hope that you enjoyed traveling with us. Stay tuned for the next global encounter.
Shanghai Tang was founded in 1994 by a Hong Kong businessman and now also has stores in Shanghai, New York, Paris, London and Singapore.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:43 am
How fun Angie!
I have never been to China but now feel like I have had a taste of the best of it—thanks to you.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Looks like a great and very interesting store Angie. Thank you so much for the whole HK series, it has been a lot of fun!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:04 am
I LOVE Shanghai Tang. The olive-colored wool/buttery leather bag I got there a few years ago is gorgeous and timeless. The detail and craftmanship is impeccable with its bright red lining and jade ornament and little gold feet… Ooooh, I just love that bag! Angie: What do you call the detail patern in the wool? It’s not embroidered but it’s got that subtle paterned texture…. does that have a name?
Thanks!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I just love your Hong Kong posts, Angie! That shop looks fabulous.
Would you be willing to post a photo of Greg’s hip top? I’m always looking for inspirational menswear to pass on to my husband.
November 6th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Angie, I have LOVED these posts too. Now I just need to find a reason to justify a trip to HK.
Thanks for taking us with you. It is inspiring!
November 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I’ve totally loved these posts, Angie. Thanks for letting us all travel - and shop - vicariously through you!
November 6th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Angie, what a fun store. You are a great travel guide! Can’t wait to see where you take us next!
November 6th, 2008 at 11:06 am
shanghai tang goes up to size 16 in the US and it does custom fitting of clothes. YAY!
November 6th, 2008 at 11:21 am
That was great fun, thanks for sharing!
November 6th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I browsed through the website and of course I made a virtual beeline to an $800 sweater.
http://www.shanghaitang.com/shanghaitang/product.jsp?idsubcat=53&pg=2&pos=2&recordNo=11#
Gorgeous. They need to have a discount version of this store.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:52 am
LOVE these pics! The shop looks very inviting - so much so that I had to skip right over and check out their website! (Since the chances of me ever seeing Hong Kong are slim and none!)
Thanks so much for continuing to broaden our fashion horizons!