FASHION | Inspiration from the 90s

This month, Shanghai Tang launches Yuni Ahn for Shanghai Tang, an exclusive collaboration with eponymous designer Yuni Ahn. Yuni Ahn for Shanghai Tang debuts with a 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.
Through the collaboration, Yuni Ahn, the former creative director of Maison Kitsuné and design director of Celine, brings a bold design sensibility to Shanghai Tang with an everyday luxury wardrobe infused with Chinese elements. Featuring modern design motifs inspired by the qipao, lattice, bamboo and moon, Yuni Ahn for Shanghai Tang weaves these redefined elements throughout the collection.
The creative concept for Yuni Ahn for Shanghai Tang originates in Ahn’s formative experiences living in Hong Kong during the 1990s. Recalling the crackling energy found in Chungking Mansions, Ahn retraced her steps into this nostalgic era by revisiting Wong Kar-wai’s classic Chungking Express. Amidst the dramatic mood, colours and cinematography of the iconic 1994 film, Ahn was ultimately drawn to the magnetic performance of the film’s female leads and how the evolution of ‘90s on-screen stars into aspirational heroines inspired today’s strong and independent modern women.
To develop the collection, Ahn spoke with today’s modern Chinese women to get a better understanding of the fashion and style they seek. Ahn then distilled these insights to create streamlined pieces made for the current generation.