In the latest episode of our Crazy Smart Asia podcast, the co-founder of multidisciplinary design studio Thirty30 Creative explains how she was a rebel against the “Shanghai Tang” legacy and found success and respect on her own terms
What’s in a name? That depends on the who and where. In Hong Kong, the name Tang has a great deal of weight.
In 1933, Sir Shiu-kin Tang founded a central part of the city’s infrastructure, the Kowloon Motor Bus. In 1994, Shiu-kin’s grandson Sir David Tang founded one of Hong Kong’s most iconic fashion brands, Shanghai Tang.
Now, David’s daughter, Victoria Tang-Owen, is carving out her own slice of Hong Kong legacy. Having co-founded the multidisciplinary design studio Thirty30 Creative in 2015 and the Victoria Tang Design Studio in 2020, she’s collaborated with the likes of Kim Jones on the recent Dior Men’s pre-fall 2021 show. It’s clear that if there’s any weight to the Tang name Victoria Tang-Owen has to carry, she intends for it to be of her own making.
In our latest episode of Crazy Smart Asia, Tang-Owen sits down with Gen.T’s Lee Williamson and explains why she tossed aside family expectations and honed a unique creative outlook that set her apart from the crowd. Here are a few excerpts from the conversation. Click the audio player below to listen to the full episode or subscribe via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Episode highlights
On validation
“Validation is just a cherry on top. It’s not supposed to encourage you or weigh you down, but it’s up to you whether to decide to take it or not.”
On feedback
“It’s nice to hear affirmation but it’s also nice to hear negativity and questioning.”
