Who started it? French-Chinese designer Tiffany Yan left the United States for Paris, France, on August 16, 2011, or 16 Août in French, which marked the beginning of her fashion journey. She studied at the École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne and worked at Prada, Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen in the French capital before launching her own label in Hong Kong, in January. Yan opened her first boutique in March, in SoHo, and is considering a second, in Sydney, Australia. She also has a namesake luxury label and childrenswear brand Le Petit 16 Août.
Why we love it: Yan draws inspiration from the City of Light and her clothes are flirty, feminine and French, without being sickly sweet, as is so often the case with these types of lines in Hong Kong. Yan says she wants to bring baroque style to contemporary fashion, which can be seen in her use of French lace, Italian prints and jacquard textiles. Her fabrics are European and sourced from the same factory used by Valentino and Prada, but the price point is far more affordable.
What we'd pick: the elegant, red Julius dress (far right; HK$3,224) with lace overlay and thigh slit looks dangerously like lingerie but manages to stay classy while the Noel coat (right; HK$3,128), made of purple ostrich feathers and worn with the Adella trousers (HK$2,208; both left), is equal parts outrageous and outstanding.
Where can you get it? Le 16 Août is at 36 Aberdeen Street, Central, tel: 2812 6230; le16aout.fr.