The “Po” Colour
Shanghai Tang's palette is a collection of high
saturation colours such as neon pink, lime
green, bright purple, electric blue etc.
These vibrate colours turn into the golden
glittering and stars of the very first Shanghai Tang
logo, beautiful silk lining that looms and finishes
on the low-key Zhongshan suit and brand’s
Signature Tang Jackets.
Why do these iconic colours
represent Shanghai Tang’s DNA?
Breaking the Rules
Let's rewind the clock back to 1994.Sir David Tang, the
founder of Shanghai Tang, was a Chinese celebrity
who lived in the UK for a long time.
“I remind myself of my heritage by wearing traditional
Chinese clothing. Too many Chinese people study aboard
in the West and then return to China in western style
suits. To be honest, I think it is ridiculous for a
Chinese person to walk around in a terrible suit!
You may think I'm extreme, but deep down I'm Chinese,
apart from my clubs, cigar shops, and foreign friends
in London. Personally, the feeling of searching for
the roots of my culture is so wonderful,
it is all intuitive.” — Sir David Tang
HE NAMED
THE "REBELLIOUS" COLOUR
AS "PO" COLOUR
______
BREAK AND SUBVERT
Signature Tang Jackets
Inspired by Zhongshan suits, he created a batch of short
jackets in silk and velvet fabrics. The traditional
Zhongshan suit is black and gray, but he preferred to do
the opposite."
I tell everybody that I will make the Zhongshan costume
in lime green, and they say, you can't do that.
Why not? I wanted to do it, and in the end, it turned out
that this product was very popular in the market.”
— Sir David Tang
In the modern society, Sir David Tang’s boldness and
rebelliousness may not be viewed as courageous.
For nearly thirty years, Sir David Tang established the
modern Chinese aesthetics and rebellious
"Po" colour with his extraordinary vision and persistence.
He made the world realize that Shanghai Tang is not
copying Chinese traditions but refracting and constructing
the spirit of Chinese aesthetics through an innovative lens.
"I REMIND MYSELF OF MY HERITAGE BY
WEARING TRADITIONAL
CHINESE CLOTHING.”
______
Sir David Tang