Dazzling Dichotomy

Armed with an evolutionary focus on redefining what it means to be a woman and fashion designer from Asia, Lisa Von Tang shows how small steps can make significant impact

How many Asian, let alone Singaporean or Singapore-based, designers can say they’ve shown at Milan Fashion Week, four times? When it comes to flying our flag on that particular international stage, there’s just one—Lisa Von Tang, also known as Lisa Crosswhite.

Having been based here for over 15 years, it was in 2017 that Crosswhite launched her eponymous label inspired by the clothes she had previously crafted for herself and her friends with a unique aesthetic that was unapologetically Asian—like camo-print bomber jackets with pankou knots, or Chinese “frog” fastenings you’d find on the mandarin collar of qipaos.

Since then the Lisa Von Tang brand has burgeoned through several eras—a reflection of her own evolution as a designer—and a woman.

“The brand is an expression of my spirit. It’s all about contrasts: East meets West, yin and yang, sensual and strong, masculine and feminine. Divinity lies in the balance, and I can say I’ve lived several lives in search of that—and I’m still growing, but am also in a beautiful place now”, the Chinese German muses.

A CLASS IN CONTRASTS

“Energetically, I’m very masculine and feminine. I enjoy giving direction and taking action, am regimented and have clear leadership. But I’m also all about inspiration, softening to let in different energies and to enjoy the pleasures of life—like melting into kinship with dear friends is essential,” she adds.