Tributes paid to David Tang, 63

David Tang, founder of international fashion brand Shanghai Tang, has died at the age of 63, it was announced yesterday.

“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our founder Sir David Tang,” Shanghai Tang said in a statement.

Reports said he had been battling liver cancer for some time.

Earlier this month, The Times said Tang invited friends to the Dorchester Hotel in London, where he founded the China Tang restaurant, for a “farewell party” after doctors told him he had a month or two to live.

In the invitation, he said the “best way to go would be to give a party where we can see each other at least one time more, rather than at a memorial service where I shall be dead as a dodo.”

Born in Hong Kong and educated in Britain from the age of 13, he was the grandson of philanthropist Tang Shiu-kin.

The Cambridge-educated Tang founded the high-end fashion chain Shanghai Tang in 1994, known for its modern designs inspired by the traditional Chinese cheongsam, and later sold it to luxury group Richemont.

He also set up the retro-styled China Clubs in Hong Kong, Beijing and Singapore fashioned after the Shanghai of the 1930s.

Friends from showbiz and the business world paid tribute on social media.

“RIP dear friend Sir David Tang, the privilege was mine,” actor Russell Crowe tweeted, describing Tang as “witty, charming, intellectual, salacious, hilarious, loving and funny as f***.”

“He will be sorely missed as a friend and FT columnist,” tweeted Lionel Barber, editor of Britain’s Financial Times for which Tang wrote a popular “Agony Uncle” column offering advice on property, etiquette “and anything else that may be bothering you.”

Tang was often seen partying with the likes of supermodel Kate Moss and called Prince Charles a friend.

Aside from his fashion label, Tang was known for his love of cigars. He founded the Pacific Cigar Co and was the sole distributor of Cuban cigars in the Asia-Pacific region.

He is survived by daughter Victoria and son David Tang Jr from his first marriage and by his wife Lucy.

When asked in 2010 about how he would like to be remembered, he said: “When I am dead, I hope it may be said: His sins were scarlet, but his books were read.”