Tina Chow

[thomas28]

From style.com
Given how enduring her influence has been, it surprising to realize Tina
Chow was never a mainstream beauty. Half Japanese, half German-American, she
started modeling as a teen (and did so sporadically her entire life), but it
wasn until she moved to New York in the early seventies and became a
Warhol-circle regular that her personal style gelled. Chow loved fashion and
wore it with elan. She amassed a legendary collection of vintage clothing
and counted Manolo Blahnik and Antonio Lopez among her closest friends. But
it was her innate skill at pared-down elegance that still entrances: sleek,
clipped hair, minimal makeup, a daily uniform of white T-shirts, black Kenzo
trousers, and maybe one of her bamboo-wrapped crystal jewels. Proof that, as
Yves Saint Laurent said, "fashion fades; style is eternal."

what do you think about her?

Chow, wearing the classic Asian cheongsam, photographed by Cecil
Beaton in 1973.

[thomas28]

In 1984, at her husband's restaurant Mr. Chow, wearing her signature
white T-shirt and cashmere sweater.

[thomas28]

Chow at home in a Japanese bathrobe, photographed by Arthur Elgort
for Vogue, 1984.

[thomas28]

Chow in a Cristobal Balenciaga evening coat from 1953, photographed
by David Seidner

[thomas28]

Photographed by David Seidner in 1988 wearing crystal and bamboo
jewelry of her own design.

[Belowen]

I love that first picture.

I love the grace and beauty of it

[Lena]

i simply adore Tina Chow, her private couture collection is amazing and allways an inspiration for me, thanks for posting this here Thomas

for all Tina's fans, those pictures here -and at style.com- are taken from "Flair" a Rizzoli editions book on Tina's private collection, by Richard Martin and that Harold Koda. (1992)
One of my fave fashion books ever, it includes basic patterns for all famous items of Tina's couture collection
(think Paul Poiret, Christobal Balenciaga, Coco Chanel, ysl, Givenchy, etc)

[LolitaLuxe]

thanks for the info on that lena, i will check that book out. there used to be a rizzoli book shop in santa monica but i believe there is one in beverly hills. but im sure it will be available eleswhere.... patterns as well?? how inspiring!

[Lena]

good luck Lolita

the only problem finding this might be that the book is a bit old

[contessacolette]

Tina's daughter, China, is so lucky. She's blessed to have Manolo Blahnik as her godfather

[Spacemiu]

tina

[thomas28]

She was great collector who collect vintage designers clothing.Also,I remember that she wore Fortuny when she died on the bed.

[BabyAnimal]

I used to be utterly fascinated by Tina Chow. I have this autobiography that is written by Zhai-Ching ( I loosely translate it here from chinese), who is the sister-in-law of Tina Chow ( Michael Chow's elder sister, who appeared in films such as Blow UP by Antonioni in the 60's.), there was a brief chapter that is dedicated to Tina Chow. She was always listed in one of the best-dressed international jetsetters and famous for her thorough collection on vintage Mario Fortuna dresses ( who I beleive inspired Issey Miyake enormously later on), once dated Richard Gere shortly before she died from AIDS.

comparing to other Studio 54 fixtures, I personally find her refreshing and breezy style-wise and personality-wise ( she was famous for her candid, straightforward manner towards her fame and fortune). it's sad China Chow doesn't live up to her legacy, at all. ( despite being a very pretty girl, China doesn't seem having that "IT" factor her late mother engaged.)

Thanks for the lovely pics, Thomas. I am glad Tina Chow's legacy is recognized by younger generation.

[thomas28]

Thanks for BabyAnimal additional information~

[Estella*]

she was such a special beauty! a great topic!
here she is with basquiat and warhol

fashion

by andy warhol

do you know if there are any good sites on tina chow?