Shanghai Tang AW24: Reimagining Tang Dynasty Elegance with Modern Flair
Written by Fête Chinoise Editorial Team
IMAGES Courtesy: Shanghai Tang
“Bring in the wine! –
The cups must not stop!
I’ll sing you a song - ...
Ten thousand cups of wine – abandon restraint and be merry!”
Inspired by the aesthetic vision of ancient Chinese poet Li Bai 李白, Shanghai Tang's 2024 Autumn-Winter Collection delves into the opulence of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
The collection features silk threads interwoven into contemporary designs, embodying the distinctive elegance of the East with vibrant colours and a luxurious sheen. The signature pattern, “The Winding Stream Party (曲水游筵),” depicts a captivating landscape with decorated wine vessels on pine branches, clouds, Hu Lus, distant mountains, flower blossoms, and deer—motifs commonly found in Chinese art associated with life of literati and fortune.
For womenswear, Shanghai Tang showcases sophisticated techniques like sequin embroidery, gold couching embroidery, hollow embroidery, devoré, hot stamping, and lace appliqué on its signature qipaos, dresses, and knitted apparel.
The menswear collection features iconic Shanghai Tang designs, incorporating velvet, shimmering fabrics, and quilted cotton tailored for movement, including the Tang Cashmere Jacket and Tang Mandarin Collar Shirt.
Reflecting the Tang Dynasty’s grandeur, the collection introduces the Tang Sancai colour palette, seen in Tang Dynasty pottery glazes, with deep ink green, serene blues, and layered browns. Adorned with golden embroidery and beadwork, these elements evoke the luxurious imagery of the period.
The campaign shots, captured by director Quentin Shih, blend fantasy and reality, adding a mystical layer to the collection. By marrying the rich aesthetics of the Tang Dynasty with modern fashion, Shanghai Tang invites everyone to experience the timeless elegance of traditional Chinese artistry and craftsmanship.
The soft ting-ting of a bicycle bell echoes through Avon Theatre as a nostalgically dressed paper boy glides down onto the stage, bring the audience to the bustling backstage of Beijing’s People's Art Theatre, offering a first-person view through the eyes of American playwright Arthur Miller, who traveled to Beijing in 1983 to direct the Chinese adaptation of his renowned play, Death of a Salesman.