Shanghai Tang's new chief designer, Joseph Li, was sweating before the lunch presentation of his first full ready-to-wear collection at Pacific Place's Domani restaurant on Monday. However, it wasn't just nerves that caused his prolific perspiration.
'It was so hot backstage,' Li said. 'The models and I had been ready for a long time but we were then taken to have some photographs done by the media before the show ... I think the waiting time before a show can be real torture.'
Rightly anxious, Li had a room full of media and socialites waiting to check out his spring/summer collection Dian Fu (Inside Out). For Shang-Tang's trademark Sino chic, Li incorporated inspirations from several Chinese artists, such as Zhu Wei and Cai Gouquiang, mixing them with traditional Chinese attire, such as the du dou (a women's undergarment) and qi pao (long dress).
Born in Hong Kong but raised and educated in Toronto and London, Li admitted he didn't actually know much about Chinese history and culture until he joined the Hong Kong label in 2007. Now the designer, who used to spend most of his free time in England visiting galleries and museums, does the same thing here, browsing contemporary Chinese art.
'I am a huge fan. I love the way they work and the way that they interpret the culture. [Painter] Zhang Hong is one of my favourites.'