un portrait chinois
TONG TONG FRIENDSHIP STORE
Un Portrait Chinois — an imaginative way of describing yourself by using various analogies — can be played as a game, wherein others attempt to guess the person you are describing by inferences to other things
Tong Tong celebrates Spring 2010 with a new collection that once again puts an unexpected spin on the traditional Chinese cheongsam. Taking the traditional Chinese cheongsam as a starting point, Tong Tong’s founder/designer Tan Sheau Yun has established a distinct, instantly-recognisable style for the line with her use of quirky, bold fabrics and refashioned silhouettes. This new collection, however, reveals the blossoming of a new identity — one that depicts ladylike elegance, while retaining a measure of girlish insouciance. If you note a soupçon of Parisian flavours, it’s because Sheau Yun was
inspired by French chinoiserie for this collection. Some pieces reveal exuberant flamboyance, others quiet wit, still others demure chic. Do your outfits reflect the real you? How would you describe yourself? The French have a word game, Portrait Chinois, that engages one’s imagination, even as it encourages introspection. What do you see of yourself in the things around you? What would you be like, if you were a colour, an animal, a fruit, a scent… Conversely, what colour, animal, fruit, scent best embodies you? Tong Tong paints a Chinese Portrait for Spring 2010…
If I were a piece of art, I would be‌
… a Chinese painting — a poetic discipline in still life, a minimalist encapsulation of nature’s beauty. LINEN CHEONGSAM WITH LEAVES AND BLOSSOMS PRINT
If I were a flower, I would be‌
… Gerberas, in a happy pink, a lively orange — effusively cheerful, deliciously loud, charmingly delicate. POLY-SILK CHEONGSAM TOP WITH POUF BOTTOM
If I were an animal I would be‌
… a Calico Cat. Well, maybe not. But I do so like floral calico print dresses — perfect for a walk in the woods on a glorious Spring day. COTTON CHEONGSAM DRESS WITH PRINTED FLORALS
If I were a season I would be‌
‌ Spring, when the birds alight on the branches outside my window, greeting the world as it awakens from its winter sleep. COTTON CHEONGSAM WITH BIRD MOTIF
If I were a book, I would be‌
… Charlotte’s Web — a magically woven tale of friendship, humanity and the circle of life.
RED WOOL CHEONGSAM WITH GREEN BUTTONS BLACK LINEN/COTTON MAO JACKET WITH CHARLOTTE THE SPIDER AND WILBUR THE PIG MOTIF PRINT
If I were a type of film, I would be‌
… film noir — stylised, intense, mysterious; a dramatic silhouette that flits between shadow and light. SILK AND LACE CHEONGSAM
If I were a decade in history, I would be‌
… the Roaring ’20s — surrounded by carefree flapper girls, swishy dresses, jazz and dancing! VISCOSE ORGANZA CHEONGSAM WITH TULLE FRINGE
Photos/Ivanho Harlim Styling/CK Hair & Make Up/Calvin Gan Model/Gloria Design/Kuanth
ABOUT TONG TONG
Tong Tong’s [ ] roots can be traced back to 2006, when this line of quirky Oriental designs was established as Tan Tan [ ] with a capsule collection that included cheongsams in retro prints, and separates inspired by Chinese samfu pant-suits. Very quickly, the brand became known for its bold, contemporary reinterpretations of classic Chinese apparel. Founder/designer Tan Sheau Yun yearns to share her mad love for Chinese material culture and push the envelope of Chinese aesthetics within the context of modern living. With that objective in mind, she started Tong Tong Friendship Store in 2008 —
a delightfully kooky hideout on the perimeters of downtown Singapore that is a venue for Chinese cultural evangelism, under the guise of peddling whimsical clothes and accessories. Shoppers perusing the collection can expect little nuggets of Chinese history, symbolism and tradition casually let slip by Sheau Yun or her equally passionate sales staff and, without them realising it, they’ve been given a Chinese civilisation 101. Tong Tong Friendship Store is just the place for eyecatching Chinese-inspired fashion and a chance to connect or reconnect with a culture in a fun way. Come. Be friends with Chinese culture.
TONG TONG FRIENDSHIP STORE STORE ADDRESS: #01-04/05 Shaw Towers, 100 Beach Road, S189702 STORE TEL: 6396 3887 MEDIA ENQUIRIES: media@tongtong.sg WEBSITE: www.tongtong.sg
My childhood friends say I’ve really blossomed…
Some think I have a checkered past…
… I have to agree, I’m in full bloom!
… I wasn’t being controversial — I always say, if variety is the spice of life, shake it up and spread the love!
COTTON A-LINE CHEONGSAM DRESS WITH SNOW BERRY MOTIF
RED POLY-SILK PLEATED-SKIRT CHEONGSAM DRESS WITH DEEP SIDE POCKETS
If I were a season, i would be…
Everyone knows I live the dream…
… Spring, when the birds alight on the branches outside my window, greeting the world as it awakens from its winter sleep.
… cash, car, bling, private jet… Positive thinking is the key to living like a Queen!
COTTON CHEONGSAM WITH BIRD MOTIF
A-LINE CHEONGSAM DRESS IN DUTCH COTTON BATIK
Others describe me as a firecracker…
My friends say I’m totally fresh…
… Mostly fiery, although I have my cool spots
… like green shoots of Spring!
RED SILK BACK-PLEATED CHEONGSAM DRESS WITH TURQUOISE OVERSIZED BUTTONS
COTTON CHEONGSAM DRESS WITH FLORAL PRINT
I am known to be decisive and unequivocal…
I’ve been dubbed the ‘fierce softie’…
… I see issues as clear-cut black or white.
… the kindest, most sensitive soul around, just don’t light my fuse! It’s all to do with being born in the Year of the Tiger.
EMBOSSED EGYPTIAN COTTON CHEONGSAM DRESS WITH PLEATED BOTTOM
‘CHINESE PAPER CUTTING’ ACRYLIC YEAR OF THE TIGER BROOCH