Cover Shu Qi radiates modern elegance with her red carpet looks (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi radiates modern elegance with her red carpet looks (Photo: Getty Images)
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To celebrate Shu Qi’s birthday, Tatler looks at the Taiwanese actress’s timeless approach to event dressing
Taiwanese actor Shu Qi turns 50 today. Known for her fashion sense, she has been in the entertainment industry since 1995, and experimented with a variety of looks over the decades, from edgy and editorial styles to more classic takes on glamour.
While Shu’s always been one to watch in the fashion and beauty industries—having worked with the likes of Bulgari, Emporio Armani and Shiatzy Chen as well as being the face of Flower by Kenzo fragrance in the mid-noughties—in 2023, she experienced a renaissance of sorts. In March of that year, she was named as Tom Ford Beauty’s next brand ambassador, and in October, Bottega Veneta tapped her as their global brand ambassador, the first Asian celebrity ambassador for the maison. We’re also seeing her return to major red carpet and fashion events.
As she celebrates her half-century, we look back at Shu’s best red carpet moments.
2023: Sharp suiting in Bottega Veneta
Above Shu Qi at the Bottega Veneta spring-summer 2024 show at Milan Fashion Week (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi at the Bottega Veneta spring-summer 2024 show at Milan Fashion Week (Photo: Getty Images)
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Shu attended Bottega Veneta’s spring-summer 2024 show at Milan Fashion Week, ahead of her appointment as brand ambassador. She wore an oversized grey suit jacket and trousers, paired with a plain white tank top and loose wavy hair to lean into the slouchy silhouette. The look was balanced with pointed-toe heels and a bag featuring the maison’s signature Intrecciato weave.
2023: Striking in Schiaparelli
Any look that includes a sculptured Schiaparelli gown is bound to be fabulous. Shu wore this cream, strapless number with a structured bodice from the autumn-winter 2023 collection to a Bulgari event last November; it served as a stylish canvas for the the jewellery brand’s twisted necklace with teardrop jewels.
2023: Silver champagne Giorgio Armani
Above Shu Qi at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
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This charcoal and silver Armani Privé Haute Couture look from its fall 2023 collection, which Shu wore to the One Night in Venice event at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, is one of her best looks. While the notion of a shawl over a dress seems like a style for a more mature woman, the skirt’s volume and shine combined with the abstract watercolour appliqué draping across her shoulders resulted in an ensemble that was equal parts classic and contemporary.
2017: Black and Bulgari
Above Shu Qi at the Bulgari Festa high jewellery event (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi at the Bulgari Festa high jewellery event (Photo: Getty Images)
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At the 2017 Bulgari Festa event, Shu wore a black gown that mirrored elements of the brand’s jewellery: the off-the-shoulder detail made space to frame the ruby pendant of the diamond necklace, and the cape sleeves hung much like the dangling earrings. Sleek, long hair completed the look, recalling the loose flow of the outfit.
2017: Canary yellow at Cannes Film Festival
Above Shu Qi at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
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Shu made a bold statement at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival in a striking, bright yellow gown from Alexis Mabille’s spring 2017 collection. While an updo might have been the natural choice to show off the dress’s halter neck details, her loose waves juxtaposed the stiffness of the fabric and felt classy yet breezy.
2015: Romantic in Reem Acra
Above Shu Qi at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival (Photo: Getty Images)
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In contrast, this pale and shimmering gown—by Lebanese designer Reem Acra, famed for her bridal wear—Shu wore to the premiere of her movie The Assassin at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival radiated with romantic delicacy. The muted tones appeared almost translucent against her complexion but were highlighted with textured embroidery, creating an ethereal effect.
2013: Valentino Couture at the Golden Horse Awards
Above Shu Qi at the 50th Golden Horse Awards (Photo: Getty Images)
Shu Qi at the 50th Golden Horse Awards (Photo: Getty Images)
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Gold brocade seemed a natural choice for the 50th—or golden anniversary—Golden Horse Awards in 2013. Shu’s Valentino Couture gown from the maison’s fall 2013 collection featured a tapestry of flora and fauna combined with a velvet wine bodice, a regal yet youthful choice.
Amalissa Hall was the style writer at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on writing digital articles, she covers news, tracks trends and interviews experts from the fashion, beauty and wellness industries, as well as entertainment spheres. Interview highlights include Formula One driver Alex Albon, award-winning costume designer Jany Temime and prolific make-up artist Lisa Eldridge.
She has also produced print stories featuring make-up artists, perfumiers and other upcoming figures discussing Asian representation on social media, sharing industry insight and trends as well as explaining new approaches to wellness in Hong Kong.
