39 years old, creative director

Joanne Ooi, creative director of Shanghai Tang since the end of 2001, elevated the brand to global heights. “When I started, we basically had to rebrand and re-merchandise of the entire company,” says Ooi. Needless to say she was faced with a complicated task. “We didn’t throw the baby out with the bath water, but we almost did. It was a whole sale revamp from A-Z, from top to bottom, in every single facet of the brand.” The main goal was to put traditional Chinese designs on the map, and today Shanghai Tang can be found all over Asia and in fashion capitals such as New York, London, Paris, and Milan.

Born in Singapore but raised in the States, Ooi speaks with a perfect American accent and has been in Hong Kong for 14 years. “Hong Kong is my home. There’s no other place as exciting or stimulating, that offers the same level of opportunities,” she says before taking a pause. “Certainly not the kind of opportunities that allow you to leap frog over what I call paying your dues in more developed countries”.

Despite her hard work, Ooi is thankful for the ability to represent an upscale brand that has received international recognition, especially around Asia. “I feel honoured because it mirrors my own experience, which is to be a standard bearer of modern Chinese style and design. It’s great to be acknowledged.”

Ooi also owns art gallery Ooi Botos, representing artists such as Xing Danwen, Tie Ying, and Wing Shya. “Basically, the other role that I see myself having in Hong Kong is to make an impact on the Hong Kong art market through my art gallery, by introducing better international practices to how an art gallery should be operated,” says Ooi. “I want to introduce more groundbreaking, avant-garde art to Hong Kong – specifically in the areas of new media, including photography, video art, and instillation”.

This all keeps Ooi pretty busy. The superwoman works around the clock, without a moment’s pause. She reckons the only time she lets go is during a foot massage, but even then she can’t help writing emails to people. “I hope to do something that will enable the Hong Kong design, art, and creative community to flourish”. Looks to us like she’s already halfway there. Tina Lee