Shanghai Tang founder and socialite Sir David Tang has passed away at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer.
Tang was born in Hong Kong and educated in Britain. Although perhaps best known as the founder of fashion label Shanghai Tang, Tang was also involved in a number of successful ventures.
In 1991, Tang opened the China Club – a private members’ club that occupied the top three floors of the old Bank of China Building in downtown Hong Kong. He would later open China Clubs in Beijing and Singapore.
The entrepreneur founded Shanghai Tang in 1994 and sold the brand to Swiss luxury goods group Richemont in 1998.
An keen cigar smoker, Tang was the founder of Havana House and Pacific Cigar Company Ltd – holding the exclusive distribution rights for Cuban cigars in the Asia-Pacific region and Canada.
In 2008, Tang was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of his charity work. He also received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Art and Design at the Asian Awards in 2014.
Through is success in the business world, Tang became a well-known and well-liked socialite. Kate Moss, Michael Caine, Tom Jones, the Goldsmith clan and Christiane Amanpour were amongst the many big names at Tang’s 60th birthday party.
After discovering he only had a few months left to live, following a long fight with cancer, Tang had recently invited friends to the Dorchester Hotel for a “farewell party”. The star-studded party was due to take place in a few days time.
Tang died on Tuesday night at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea.
Celebrities and friends have been paying tribute to Tang. “RIP dear friend Sir David Tang, the privilege was mine,” wrote actor Russell Crowe on Twitter. “Witty, charming, intellectual, salacious, hilarious, loving and funny as f***.”
Lionel Barber, editor of the FT, said, “David Tang was a remarkable man of many talents whose charm, erudition and wit were ever present. His weekly column in House and Home was a must-read for FT readers. He will be sorely missed.”
“I have recently learnt earlier this evening from Lady Tang, the great man, Sir David Tang passed this evening. RIP.” Tweeted Ewan Venters, CEO of luxury London department store Fortnum & Mason.
