Cover Designer Yuni Ahn collaborates with Shanghai Tang for an exclusive collection (Photo: Courtesy of Zeng Wu)

The former creative director of Maison Kitsuné and design director of Celine brings a bold design sensibility to Shanghai Tang's everyday luxury wardrobe infused with Chinese elements

Ushering in a new era for the brand, designer Yuni Ahn worked on an exclusive collaboration with Shanghai Tang which debuts at the brand's Pre-Fall 2021 Collection of ready-to-wear bags, shoes, scarves and accessories, inspired by the spirit of today's modern women and their confidence and attitude.

Yuni Ahn for Shanghai Tang is the latest milestone for the brand, as the eponymous designer and former creative director of Maison Kitsuné as well as previous design director of Celine, will bring a bold design sensibility to Shanghai Tang with an everyday luxury wardrobe infused with Chinese elements.

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'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 4 Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Tang
Photo 2 of 4 Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Tang
Photo 3 of 4 Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Tang
Photo 4 of 4 Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Tang

Featuring modern design motifs inspired by the qipao, lattice, bamboo and moon, Yuni for Shanghai Tang weaves these redefined elements throughout the collection. The creative concept for this exclusive collaboration originates from Ahn's formative experiences living in Hong Kong during the 1990s.

She recalls the crackling energy found in Chungking Mansions and retraced her steps into this nostalgic era by revisiting Wong Kar-wai's classic, Chungking Express. She was ultimately drawn to the magnetic performance of the film's female leads and how the evolution of 90s on-screen starts into aspirational heroines inspired by today's strong and independent modern women.

In order to fully develop the collection, Ahn also spoke with today's modern Chinese women to get a better understanding of the fashion and style they seek. The ready-to-wear pieces are crafted with design details referencing the structure and clean lines of qipaos, while the lattice pattern is the designer's unique take on the original Shanghai Tang pattern inspired by the latticework of traditional Chinese windows.

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Above Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Tang
Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Courtesy of Shanghai Tang

Meanwhile, the bags are highlighted by skilfully embossed moon detail along the base while bamboo is depicted in buckle hardware and interior patches. The shoes are square versatile and comfortable toe mules and strappy kitten heels inspired by the elegance of tables from the Ming dynasty.

For the accessories, the silk scarf comes in two sizes that can be styled in multiple ways. Finally, a leather belt that featured a bamboo design metal buckle and a thin gold snake detail completes the collection.

The Yuni Ahn for Shanghai Tang Pre-Fall 2021 Collection is available in all boutiques in Hong Kong and on shanghaitang.com.

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