un portraitchinois

TONG TONG FRIENDSHIP STORE

Tong Tong celebrates Spring2010 with a new collection thatonce again puts an unexpectedspin on the traditional Chinesecheongsam.

Taking the traditionalChinese cheongsam as a startingpoint, Tong Tong’sfounder/designer Tan SheauYun has established a distinct,instantly-recognisable style forthe line with her use of quirky,bold fabrics and refashionedsilhouettes.

This new collection,however, reveals the blossomingof a new identity — one thatdepicts ladylike elegance, while retaining a measure of girlishinsouciance. If you note asoupçon of Parisian flavours,it’s because Sheau Yun was

inspired by French chinoiseriefor this collection. Some piecesreveal exuberant flamboyance,others quiet wit, still othersdemure chic.

Do your outfits reflectthe real you? How would youdescribe yourself?

The French have a wordgame, Portrait Chinois, thatengages one’s imagination, evenas it encourages introspection.What do you see of yourself inthe things around you? Whatwould you be like, if you werea colour, an animal, a fruit, ascent… Conversely, whatcolour, animal, fruit, scent bestembodies you?

Tong Tong paints aChinese Portrait for Spring2010…

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 personyou are describing by inferences to other things

If I werea piece of art,I would be…

… a Chinese painting— a poetic disciplinein still life,a minimalistencapsulation ofnature’s beauty.LINEN CHEONGSAM WITHLEAVES AND BLOSSOMS PRINT

If I werea flower,I would be…

… Gerberas,in a happy pink,a lively orange —effusively cheerful,deliciously loud,charmingly delicate.POLY-SILK CHEONGSAMTOP WITH POUF BOTTOM

If I werean animalI would be…

… a Calico Cat.Well, maybe not.But I do solike floral calicoprint dresses— perfect for a walkin the woods on aglorious Spring day.COTTON CHEONGSAM DRESSWITH PRINTED FLORALS

If I werea season

I would be…

… Spring, whenthe birds alight onthe branches outsidemy window, greetingthe world as itawakens from itswinter sleep.COTTON CHEONGSAM WITHBIRD MOTIF

If I werea book,

I would be…

… Charlotte’s Web— a magically woventale of friendship,humanity and thecircle of life.RED WOOL CHEONGSAMWITH GREEN BUTTONSBLACK LINEN/COTTONMAO JACKET WITH CHARLOTTETHE SPIDER AND WILBURTHE PIG MOTIF PRINT

If I werea type of film,

I would be…

… film noir —stylised, intense,mysterious;a dramaticsilhouette thatflits between shadowand light.SILK AND LACE CHEONGSAM

If I werea decade in history,

I would be…

… the Roaring ’20s— surrounded bycarefree flappergirls, swishy dresses,jazz and dancing!VISCOSE ORGANZACHEONGSAM WITHTULLE FRINGE

Photos/Ivanho Harlim Styling/CK Hair & Make Up/Calvin Gan Model/Gloria Design/Kuanth

TONG TONG FRIENDSHIP STORESTORE ADDRESS:#01-04/05 Shaw Towers, 100 Beach Road, S189702STORE TEL: 6396 3887MEDIA ENQUIRIES: media@tongtong.sgWEBSITE: www.tongtong.sg

ABOUT TONG TONG

Tong Tong’s [ ] rootscan be traced back to 2006,when this line of quirky Orientaldesigns was established asTan Tan [ ] with acapsule collection that includedcheongsams in retro prints, andseparates inspired by Chinesesamfu pant-suits. Very quickly,the brand became known forits bold, contemporaryreinterpretations of classicChinese apparel.

Founder/designer TanSheau Yun yearns to share hermad love for Chinese materialculture and push the envelopeof Chinese aesthetics withinthe context of modern living.With that objective in mind,she started Tong TongFriendship Store in 2008 —

a delightfully kooky hideouton the perimeters of downtownSingapore that is a venue forChinese cultural evangelism,under the guise of peddlingwhimsical clothes andaccessories. Shoppers perusingthe collection can expect littlenuggets of Chinese history,symbolism and traditioncasually let slip by Sheau Yunor her equally passionate salesstaff and, without themrealising it, they’ve been givena Chinese civilisation 101.

Tong Tong FriendshipStore is just the place for eye-catching Chinese-inspiredfashion and a chance to connector reconnect with a culture ina fun way. Come. Be friendswith Chinese culture.

… I have to agree,I’m in full bloom!

COTTON A-LINE CHEONGSAM DRESSWITH SNOW BERRY MOTIF

… I wasn’t beingcontroversial —

I always say, if varietyis the spice of life,

shake it up andspread the love!

RED POLY-SILK PLEATED-SKIRTCHEONGSAM DRESS WITHDEEP SIDE POCKETS

My childhood friends sayI’ve really blossomed…

Some think I have acheckered past…

… Spring, whenthe birds alight on thebranches outside mywindow, greeting the

world as it awakens fromits winter sleep.

COTTON CHEONGSAM WITH BIRD MOTIF

… cash, car, bling,private jet… Positivethinking is the key toliving like a Queen!A-LINE CHEONGSAM DRESSIN DUTCH COTTON BATIK

If I were a season,i would be…

Everyone knowsI live the dream…

… Mostly fiery, althoughI have my cool spots

RED SILK BACK-PLEATEDCHEONGSAM DRESS WITH

TURQUOISE OVERSIZED BUTTONS

… like green shootsof Spring!

COTTON CHEONGSAM DRESS WITHFLORAL PRINT

Others describe meas a firecracker…

My friends sayI’m totally fresh…

… I see issues asclear-cut black or white.

EMBOSSED EGYPTIAN COTTONCHEONGSAM DRESS WITH

PLEATED BOTTOM

… the kindest,most sensitive soul

around, just don’t lightmy fuse! It’s all to dowith being born in theYear of the Tiger.‘CHINESE PAPER CUTTING’

ACRYLIC YEAR OF THE TIGER BROOCH

I am known to bedecisive and unequivocal…

I’ve been dubbedthe ‘fierce softie’…