About us

“Friendship Store” [友谊商店]  – Quaint state-owned stores founded in the late 1970’s as a sign of friendship when communist China first opened up to the world. Kookily drab, dreary, and actually not very friendly at all. Sold decadent imported western goods, accessible only to foreigners.

Tong Tong Friendship Store [彤彤友谊商店] – Founder/designer was born in the 1970’s, and eager to share her fresh take on tired stereotypes of Chinese culture. Sells delightfully decadent Chinese-inspired wares. Promises a friendly & quirky shopping experience to all who walk through its doors.

Tong Tong was set up because of a mad mad love for Chinese material culture. It is a bold experiment to study Chinese aesthetics and push its boundaries.

Whilst keenly interested in the ancient past, Tong Tong is even more eager to explore the potential of Chinese aesthetics within modern lifestyles, drawing upon images from the depths of our memory and pulling them to the fore of our mind. Tong Tong playfully attempts to bend and stretch these symbols and images into shapes and forms that fit modern times