Maison Uma Wang Makes Waves in Shanghai: A New Era of Lifestyle and Hospitality Unveiled

Uma Wang, the creator of her eponymous label, envisions living within her shop, accompanied by all eight of her felines.

The noted Chinese designer’s latest retail venture in Shanghai was a decade in development. She originally established one of her first retail locations in the identical building. Upon the exit of the adjacent tenants last year, she opted to take control of all four levels.

The 13,000-square-foot Maison Uma Wang now comprises a shop, a café, an art exhibit, an outdoor terrace, and an Astier de Villatte outlet — the brand’s inaugural establishment in China for the artisanal French ceramics label.

This flagship will mark the 15-year-old fashion brand’s 15th location in the Chinese market. With a studio operating in Shanghai, the firm also distributes to over 140 points of sale in Europe. Since 2017, Wang’s collections have been entirely produced in Italy, following the relocation of production to the country under a license agreement with Olmar and Mirta, a fashion manufacturing firm based in Lombardy.

The establishment’s striking Art Deco façade, one of the largest villa residences on the street, is situated within the tourist-friendly Former French Concession, an area that has recently experienced a surge in South Korean tourism, attributed to a new visa exemption policy. As per trip.com, a well-known online booking site, inbound reservations from South Korea for the Lunar New Year festivities have recently soared by 452 percent.

A deeply personal venture, Wang expressed that the Maison venue must embody “an ‘Uma Wang sanctuary,’ where individuals can convene and inspire one another,” she remarked.

“E-commerce has simplified aspects but has also led to complete cognitive overload. I don’t believe we were created to merely slide our fingers across a smooth screen. We were designed to sense, to smell, to touch, and to engage; thus, I felt it was my duty to revive that sensitivity,” Wang expressed regarding the new store.

“I don’t focus on branding strategies because it seems miraculous that we’ve persisted this long. I firmly believe that if you offer what you possess and it resonates with people on a profound level, that’s sound business practice. When your brand is captivating, it equates to good business,” Wang further commented.

The ambiance within the space radiates contemplation and intrigue. Wang designed it to celebrate exposed brick walls, wrought iron staircases, timber, and elegantly draped fabrics that reflect the designer’s passion for blending varied textures and eras, particularly the Renaissance and post-industrial periods. A case in point is an entrance passage adorned with checkerboard walls, mirroring Uma Wang’s unique pattern, created by Danilo, a local artisan noted for renovating Prada Rong Zhai. Other distinctive elements in the store comprise Gothic prayer chairs, Victorian chandeliers, and a painting by Evgeniya Pankratova.

Located on the first level of the boutique are Uma Wang’s leather products; her sought-after footwear line; an Uma Wang Café, along with a unique collaboration with Oberflacht, the artisanal candle brand from Germany. For Wang, the café area is envisioned for esteemed shoppers “to relax, share their experiences wearing Uma Wang with each other, and provide our staff with feedback,” she elaborated.

To the left side on the ground floor is the Astier de Villatte boutique. Wang, who developed a passion for the brand…

more than a decade ago, she stated that she chased it ceaselessly to finalize the arrangement. “It revolved around the heritage of the architecture, the locality, its connection to French culture — I recounted the tale of how the Cordier Apartments, located just around the corner, was designed by a French Sinologist,” Wang remarked.

The second level is reserved for Wang’s collections of men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, in partnership with Goti, the Italian jewelry brand, in addition to Rigards Eyewear, another longstanding collaborator of Wang’s.

A feeling of tranquility is conveyed with a retreat-like event area on the third floor. Featuring a snug linen couch at its core and a mezzanine kitchen, Wang mentioned that she plans to occasionally reside in the area — once she figures out how to move all eight of her felines.

Outside Wang’s upcoming apartment stands an exhibit by the Chinese female artist Guan Chun. Entitled “By Your Side,” the exhibition showcases portraits of Wang and the designer’s acquaintances, accompanied by their furry friends.

The retail venture, sprinkled with personal touches, also represents a gradual reveal of Wang’s aspirations to branch out into home goods, beginning with items such as sofa cushions and throws. Every piece of vintage furniture in the shop is offered for sale.

Another partnership, this time with a Chinese cosmetics label named Totemist, will debut in the store next season.

“I enjoy being eclectic, being a bit disordered, and adopting a relaxed attitude with lifestyle products. It’s about blending the old with the new, the Eastern with the Western, the overlooked crafts and the regal,” Wang concluded.