Throwback Thursday is when we trawl through the That's archives for a work of dazzling genius written at some point in our past. We then republish it. On a Thursday.
By Hart Huguet Hagerty
As founder, artistic director and CEO of Shang Xia, Qionger Jiang views it more of a Chinese cultural heritage project that a brand. Here the Shanghainese Francophile talks the ‘Chinese Hermès,’ the soul of art and saving China’s dying craftsmanship.
When did you first get into art?
My parents, who were architects, arranged painting lessons when I was two. I won some international painting prizes when I was five and the government gave me an opportunity to apprentice with Chinese masters for ink painting and calligraphy. They taught me the spirit of art saying, “Before being a good artist you need to be a good person, because painting is the reflection of human quality.” I didn’t understand when I was six, but today I do. I was so lucky.
How did you end up studying in France?
The summer after graduating from Tongji I went on my first trip to Europe and felt something that language cannot explain. I told my parents I wanted to go to France, not the US, for my exchange. I didn’t speak French, had no family and no school there. But my parents trusted my choice, and I went straight to Nice to learn the language. First I had to pass the university entrance exam, which was in French.
How did that go?
I decided just to try the exam, which was multiple choice. I brought dice with me. If I rolled a one, then I answered ‘A.’ If I rolled a six, I re-rolled because there were only five choices. It was like a lucky draw, but I passed! For the first six months, I didn’t understand anything. In China I was always a good student, so I had never been at that level where I felt stupid. The psychological part was the most difficult, but eventually I got it. The next year at art school in Paris wasn’t so difficult because I already knew design. I didn’t feel stupid compared to the first year.
After moving back to Shanghai you went from designing Hermès’ window displays to creating Shang Xia?
Leo Lui [president of Hermès China], Patrick Thomas [CEO of Hermès] and I were just getting a drink somewhere. After a few hours of talking we realized we had the same dream, passion, philosophy and perspectives on craftsmanship. The discovery was like two people falling in love. It felt like, “This is the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life.”
“We give Shang Xia 100 to 200 years for return on investment. It’s not about money, but bringing the past to the future.”
What is the relationship between Shang Xia and Hermès?
We have two things in common. First is the value of craftsmanship, quality and creativity. The second common thing is shareholders. Shang Xia is not a sub-brand of Hermès. Our craftsman, materials and style are totally different because we come from Chinese cultural roots.
If they are so different, why even partner up?
Hermès is the unique and perfect father of Shang Xia. Hermès is a six generation family maison, not a financial group. They do heritage in a modern way with philosophy. This philosophy can give our baby a first breath. Other luxury groups are just financial. Shang Xia is not a financial investment; it’s a Chinese cultural investment project.
So what is the philosophy behind Shang Xia?
Our objectives are cultural heritage, social responsibility and quality. If we do these well, financial success will come later as a reward. We don’t talk about figures. We will invest all that is necessary for Shang Xia. There is no limit. We give Shang Xia 100 to 200 years for return on investment. It’s not about money, but bringing the past to the future.
Do you consider Shang Xia a luxury brand?
For me, Shang Xia is not a luxury brand. We never presented ourselves that way, other people did that. We are a maison making good quality objects with the dream of bringing a craftsmanship renaissance in China.
How is interest amongst China’s luxury-obsessed consumers?
Recently there’s a very small niche group who, after 20 years with Western brands, are returning to their own roots. The last 30 years China conquered the world with economic development, and in the next 30 to 50 years, China will keep conquering the world with our culture. China had this before, but it was broken down in the last 100 years of revolution and war. It will wake up slowly in a contemporary way.
How does Shang Xia find its artisans?
Our artisans have a simple life, drink good tea, eat good food and do their art. For them it’s not about money, so we must create a love relationship, care about them, learn from them and respect them. With time emotion builds and they give their heart first and then their work… Today most artisans are 50 to more than 70 years old. Young people are not really getting into it.
Are you worried the tradition is dying?
This is always in our mind. My dream is to create a craftsmanship school. When we can, we will definitely do it. We are tying to change the young generation’s image of artisans.
How are you changing the image?
Most artisans today make decorative objects without functional use. Those objects do not have any contact with modern life, so young people will not use them. But through design, we can give craftsmanship a functional use and invite it back into our daily life, not just as souvenirs for tourists. Maybe in this way we can give a new value to the craftsmen.
This article first appeared in the May 2012 issue of That's Shanghai. To see more Throwback Thursday posts, click here.
0 User Comments