From silk bomber jackets to sari-inspired drapes, Lisa Von Tang’s work is an ever-evolving conversation between heritage and modern life. Born in rural Canada and later rooted in Singapore, Lisa draws from a multicultural upbringing and global travels, infusing her designs with unapologetic cultural references and an obsession with comfort and quality. Over the years, she has navigated the challenges of building a brand far from traditional fashion capitals, yet her pieces—whether sleek dresses or travel-ready separates—have found a loyal audience both at home and abroad. Today, Lisa Von Tang continues to craft clothing for women who live on their own terms: sensual, yet deeply connected to their roots.
How did your journey in fashion begin, and what continues to inspire your work?
I’ve always been drawn to creating beauty. As a child in rural Canada, I would sketch countless outfits from my imagination, without even realising it was fashion design. Later, after moving to Vancouver and then Singapore, I found myself building community with Asians who had a multicultural perspective, as well as non-Asians who were drawn to Asia. This cultural mix, inherent in my upbringing, became my starting inspiration.
My first collection was a cultural manifesto—silk bomber jackets that were loud, a bit camp, and so much fun. Since then, I’ve shown in New York and Milan Fashion Weeks, opened a store in Singapore, and worked with leading showrooms and buyers. I’ve learned to close quality gaps, source high-grade suppliers, and design for real lifestyles—whether that’s a resort, a meeting, or a night out. What continues to drive me is the connection with my community and the challenge of designing pieces that feel unique yet easy to live in.
What have been some of the biggest challenges of running your label in Singapore, and how have they shaped your direction?
Starting a fashion brand from Singapore—far from the world’s fashion capitals, manufacturing hubs, and biggest retail markets—hasn’t been easy. Our local market is small and expensive, with limited industry mentorship. Early in my journey, I joined a grant-funded trip to a trade show in New York, only to discover it was after Fashion Week and the buyers had already left for London. These well-intentioned programmes needed more input from those who’ve actually navigated the industry.
Now, I try to offer that support myself—retailing young designers’ work in my New Bahru store and connecting them to mentors who can help them scale in meaningful ways. I’ve also learned to avoid resource-draining runway schedules, focusing instead on sustainable growth. After all my travels, I realised how special Singapore is—despite our casual reputation, I’ve sold my most statement gowns and avant-garde pieces here. We have access to the world’s top brands, yet still crave uniqueness.
How does Singapore’s culture shape your work, and how has your design language evolved?
My understanding of Singapore is shaped by both family ties and being an expat. My grandparents on both sides experienced displacement, immigration, and cross-class marriages. This mixed heritage mirrors Singapore’s own cultural blend. Over the years, I’ve incorporated elements from Hindu goddess imagery to Malay and Indonesian batik, from traditional mandarin collars to sari-inspired drapes. Everyday life here also influences my materials—lightweight cottons, linens, cupro, and silk mixes that work in humid heat. My pieces are designed to travel well and adapt across settings. I began with bombers and opulent robes, moved into evening wear, and now focus on an easy wardrobe that transcends seasons.
I use washed silk and handspun cotton for a section of my collections that is naturally dyed using age-old techniques in Bali. Our dying studio, Tarum, preserves the traditional ways of creating pigments from readily available ingredients that are sourced off the nearby land such as mango leaves, different coloured wood barks, coconut husks for colour binding, and of course indigo. In terms of silhouette, I’m known for using the qipao as inspiration behind my dresses. I’ve remixed the qipao in so many variations by now, with the most recent cuts having the tall mandarin collar but then extra long and voluminous sleeves. Or cropping the mandarin qipao into a top that has shibari-inspired ribbons that can be creatively tied around your torso. I’ve also played with the typical piping on qipaos eventually coming clean off the dress and falling as ribbons.
“I hope to continue retaining aspects of a mixed Asian heritage alongside the lifestyle of a modern woman, because there’s no reason she can’t stay grounded in her culture while progressing into the future.”
What does ‘home’ mean to you, and how does it feed your creativity?
Home is where my sanctuary is—my books, clothes, art, morning routines, favourite parks, and loved ones. It’s also a taste and a smell—my mum’s soya sauce pork, a lime juice with salty plum, laksa, chicken rice. It’s the slow happy exhale stepping out into Singapore’s humid air after landing at Changi. Being rooted in a space where I feel at home is the starting point for a collection to arise. I love hosting friends, seeing their homes, and discovering those quiet, intimate details you miss when you’re out.
Do you think about legacy when creating, and how do you balance heritage with modernity?
I don’t consciously think of legacy—it’s something that grows over time. The world, our desires, and my own rhythm are always changing. But I do preserve traditional elements like natural dyeing, qipao silhouettes, and Chinese frog closures, adapting them for comfort, climate, and contemporary taste. For example, I might crop a qipao into a tie-up top, or make oversized bombers with exaggerated buttons and pre-washed cotton for a more lived-in feel.
Can fashion be a form of cultural storytelling in Singapore? What stories do you hope your work tells?
Fashion is absolutely a form of cultural documentation. Right now, Singapore’s women’s fashion reflects a financially empowered woman—glamorous, practical, internationally minded, and unafraid of comfort. For Lisa Von Tang, the story is of a woman who doesn’t dress for the male gaze, values uniqueness, and embraces her mixed heritage while leading an active, modern life.
I hope to continue retaining aspects of a mixed Asian heritage alongside the lifestyle of a modern woman, because there’s no reason she can’t stay grounded in her culture while progressing into the future. Staying plugged in to what my community is doing with their time, how the collective values are syncing or changing, and even what political issues are top of mind is essential for me to understand what is relevant for my woman here and now. I hope the practicality of our recent collection is a clear ode to her lifestyle.
If your brand was a Singaporean dish, what would it be?
Rojak! A mix of diverse ingredients that come together in unexpected harmony—refreshing, vibrant, and very much a reflection of Singapore’s multi-cultural identity.
