In our 10 Minutes With ... Victoria Tang-Owen and Saloni Lodha, the two long-time friends talk about Chinese New Year traditions and working together at last
There are numerous references available for what to wear during Chinese New Year. Besides lucky colours according to feng shui, this time of year serves as an opportunity for brands and designers to showcase their creativity through zodiac-inspired designs. With the Year of the Dragon being one of the most potent symbols, the design possibilities are endless. And designers Victoria Tang-Owen and Saloni Lodha have delved into these possibilities to come up with a collection that’s more than just red or gold clothes for your wardrobe.
The two good friends and mums have teamed up to work on a creative project that will span throughout the year with various capsule collections. Tang-Owen, the multifaceted creative director has incorporated her knowledge of Chinese culture and artisanship into the modern silhouettes of Saloni. The debut collection, titled Voyage of The Dragon, draws inspiration from hand-painted porcelain, exquisite vases and the colour palettes of ancient Chinese artifacts. It features vibrant handpainted prints—a signature of the Saloni brand—with the motif “穿花⻰” (chuān huālóng). This motif beautifully captures the graceful movement of a playful dragon dancing amid a blossoming field of flowers, symbolising lasting prosperity and boundless imagination.
In case you missed it: Chinese New Year 2024: The most stylish capsule collections for the Year of the Dragon
To celebrate the launch, the duo gathered a group of friends, who proudly displayed a piece from the capsule collection. Tatler caught up with the designer pair at the event and delved into the creative process behind their collaboration.
How did this collaboration come about?
Victoria Tang-Owen: We have been friends for many years and have been talking about doing something creative together for a long time. I think we have reached a point where we felt we should stop talking about it and just do it. I have always been a huge fan of Saloni’s style. Her personality really comes across in the brand as it is very joyful, and we have discussed the opportunity to express my creativity through her brand.
Working together was a very natural process, and I loved exploring Salonis archive and imagining how fresh prints could be developed for this Year of the Dragon collaboration. Our teams bonded quickly, and we are all excited because there is more to come throughout the year.
Saloni Lodha: We decided to embark on this creative journey in celebration of the Year of the Dragon. Victoria and I are both driven by creativity, cultural heritage and colour—so working together is a joy.
What is most memorable about this collaboration?
Tang-Owen: I crave variety in my career but fashion is always an opportunity to explore something positive that I can share with my friends. That is what is most memorable with the collaboration with Saloni: working with a dear friend with such a similar culture, and appreciation for craftsmanship to create pieces that has a story to tell.
Lodha: I like doing collaborations and bringing creative minds together that bridge multiple disciplines and genres. It’s special when it’s with friends, and we can fuse creative energy and fun in the world of Saloni. The vibrant prints are my favourite from this collaboration that are inspired by hand-painted porcelain.
