In Shanghai, where retail experiences typically center around futuristic architecture and viral collectibles, Maison Dongliang presents a striking alternative. Located in a red-roofed villa in the city's prestigious Changning district, this distinctive boutique offers a carefully curated mix of homeware, beauty products, and fashion from both Chinese and international designers, creating an atmosphere that encourages leisurely browsing rather than rushed shopping.
The boutique's origins trace back to 2009 when Dongliang first opened as a multi-brand luxury shop in Beijing, founded by three young Chinese entrepreneurs with the initial mission of highlighting homegrown design talent. After the trio disbanded in 2015, with two members departing to focus on Chinese design incubator Labelhood, Charles Wang continued developing his east-meets-west aesthetic for the Dongliang brand. The concept expanded to include stores in Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Aranya before Wang and his partner Daniel Du opened their Shanghai location last year with a vision for a more avant-garde fashion destination.
Wang and Du deliberately chose a residential property to provide a refreshing departure from Shanghai's crowded commercial streets. The 700-square-meter villa, originally built by a British family a century ago, proved ideal with its expansive Mediterranean-style garden that floods the interior spaces with natural light. Drawing inspiration from French interior designer Jean-Michel Frank and Taiwanese-American interior designer Tony Chi, the duo created a unique aesthetic by contrasting antique Chinese furniture with pieces by renowned designers Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand.
The result is a space that feels simultaneously Parisian and Tuscan while remaining distinctly Shanghainese, perfectly embodying Haipai – the 20th-century Shanghai cultural movement that seamlessly blended Chinese and Western styles. Visitors describe the experience as less like traditional retail shopping and more like touring a carefully curated house-museum, where each room reveals new discoveries.
Dongliang's Shanghai location showcases a confident blend of pieces from both local and global designers. Wang was among the first retailers to carry the Parisian brand Lemaire in China, and visitors will find it displayed alongside prestigious labels like The Row (which occupies an entire dedicated room), Alaïa, Our Legacy, and cult ceramic maker Astier de Villatte, as well as emerging Chinese designers including Junwei Lin and Structura.
Recent additions to the store's inventory include Phoebe Philo's sculptural Tilt Mule 60, Dries Van Noten's powder-blue pony-hair loafers, and Alaïa's distinctive tiered spiral skirt. Beyond fashion, shoppers can explore niche beauty and homeware offerings, such as Perfumer H's unisex fragrances starting at approximately 1,300 yuan (about $180) for 50ml, Ann Demeulemeester's Serax tableware collection beginning around $20, and Chinese ceramicist Jingwen Wu's earthily textured vases priced between $1,150 and $5,100.
According to Wang, Shanghai's fashion enthusiasm sets it apart from other Chinese cities. "In China, people really, really love fashion. They follow trends and want to dress beautifully," Wang explains. "Shanghai is where this enthusiasm reaches its peak. Compared to Beijing and Shenzhen, where people tend to think about cost per wear and what would work in an office setting, Shanghai shoppers will take something new and interesting." This adventurous spirit explains why the Shanghai location carries the brand's most extensive menswear selection and features relatively under-the-radar brands like Casey Casey and Gabriela Coll Garments.
The boutique has successfully attracted high-profile clientele, including singer and actor Faye Wong, who has been known to bring friends to Maison Dongliang for hours-long browsing sessions. True to Wang's vision, customers have embraced the concept of making themselves at home in the space, treating visits as social and cultural experiences rather than purely transactional shopping trips.
Looking ahead, Wang is working on ambitious expansion plans that will further enhance the lifestyle experience. Renovations are underway to transform an adjacent villa on the property into dedicated space for Phoebe Philo, Alaïa, and Tibetan brand Norlha, alongside the addition of a teahouse and flower shop. His team is also developing a gallery space within the city and planning a boutique hotel near Guangzhou.
While Wang acknowledges that fashion will remain his primary focus, he believes Maison Dongliang's comprehensive lifestyle offering will distinguish it in the competitive luxury retail market. "They don't have to buy fashion," he says of his clientele. "If they want to come here to look at the place and have tea, have coffee, and buy some beautiful flowers and take them home, I want to make space for that." This philosophy reflects a broader shift in luxury retail toward creating destinations that offer cultural and social value beyond traditional commerce.
