As the veteran of numerous shoots over the past four decades, the gregarious David Tang is relaxed in front of the camera. “I’ve done this many times,” he says with a gruff smile. “Although it never fails to amaze me quite how many people you need standing around just to get a few photographs.” 

We have another pro on set in the form of David’s daughter Victoria, who worked as a fashion photographer in London for years and even shot her own cover for Hong Kong Tatler in 2009. These days her focus is on Tang Tang Tang Tang but she admits she misses the adrenaline of a shoot. “I also loved the creativity,” she says. “Although when I was behind the camera, I never got to dress up like this.”

David, adamant that he wants to wear his own clothes, arrived in a spotted tie and printed slippers for the first shot. In the second, he slots a handkerchief into his pocket and, as Victoria moves closer to him, he says in a booming voice, “Watch out! Don’t obscure my pocket square.” But he’s clearly happy to cede the limelight to the women in his life. “I don’t know why you would want to focus on me,” he says. “You should put Lucy and Victoria on the cover; they’re much better looking than I am.”

Both women look beautiful in the printed dresses our fashion editor, Justine Lee, has sourced, which highlight the eclectic atmosphere of Tang Tang Tang Tang. It’s the ideal location for the shoot; designed to look like a glamorous flat, every nook and cranny provides another remarkable backdrop.

The Tangs have also gained a fan in photographer Florent Petitfrere. “I was so impressed by how well the three of them can pose for the camera,” he says. 

Watch the video for the behind-the-scenes look at the photoshoot, then turn to page 316 in the September issue of Hong Kong Tatler for the full story.

Videography Tyrone Wu
Photography Florent Petitfrere 
Stylist Justine Lee
Hair Marco Chan
Make-up Elaw Wong
Location Tang Tang Tang Tang