Innovation and risk
In recent years, Yang has expanded into other fields, including designing TMSK's interior, furniture, and flatware, and its house band's outfits. When she was invited to show TMSK's bar and lantern stools at the Victoria and Albert Museum's "Creating China" exhibition in 2008, she became a representative of the fashions and lifestyles of contemporary Shanghai.
In the era preceding the rise of the "creative-cultural industry," Liuli used its storytelling skills to build itself an oasis in a cultural desert. How can Taiwan's younger generation of creative-cultural talent build on Liuli's experience?
"Culture is primary. Innovation follows that, before finally an industry develops," says Chang. Drawing on the work of corporate strategist Michael Porter, he says that culture is an attitude, a perspective on core values, and a kind of conviction.
"Liuligongfang is small," says Yang, "but we constantly strive to use innovative means to expand on values we believe in." She argues that working in the creative-cultural field is an adventure in and of itself. If you set out to do something commercial, you're just doing business, not creating culture.
Once you do get involved in the field, you have to stick to your principles. There are things that are appropriate and things that are not. "If you're determined to do something you have to give it at least 10 years," says Yang. She adds that Liuli releases its pieces in only limited numbers, forcing Yang and the design team to think and innovate constantly.
In recent years, the big eight luxury brands have spent enormous amounts of money fighting for market share, and Taiwanese brands have won almost no space in mainland department stores. According to Yang, the reason that Liuli has managed to stand out in the crowded high-end market is because, "We're not looking to walk the red carpet. Instead, we're pursuing life values, and that resonates with people."
Loretta Yang often uses flowers and fish as subjects for her work, rendering them with exquisite clarity.
Located in Shanghai's Xintiandi district, the TMSK restaurant combines liuli and life aesthetics. Its liuli bar and stools exude an air of profound mystery.
Limpid You interprets the life of American painter Georgia O'Keeffe, who continued to paint in her later years, even as her eyesight deteriorated. "The desert, flowers, and desiccated bones, the purity of a life in dialogue with itself."