2008 Jun 06 Beijing And Beyond …
There have been many recent and exciting developments in the world of fashion in Beijing. Fendi hosting a fashion show on the Great Wall, Yohji Yamamoto presenting a collection in the Forbidden City, Nike designing the costumes for the 22 Chinese Sporting Federations and launching their new Sportswear collection here in Beijing to name but a few.
What is perhaps even more exciting is the news that our very own, homegrown fashion brand – Plastered T-Shirts – is set to expand westward. The Beijing-inspired T-shirts, which have been phenomenally successful here, are set to hit the shelves in London.
Around four of Plastered’s designs will be stocked in Terratag’s Brick Lane store from August. “It will be fairly low-key initially,” says T-shirt supremo Dominic Johnson-Hill, “We’re launching in August to tie in with the Beijing Olympics, but it’s just the start of bigger things to come.”
These bigger things are set to happen around the end of January 2009, when the UK’s Harvey Nichols (think Harrod’s but cooler) will feature Plastered’s designs. Harvey Nicks will hold a show towards the end of January celebrating Eastern influences in fashion. After the show Plastered’s products (not just T-shirts!) will be stocked for a week, and depending on how well it goes, the range could extend to Harvey Nichols’ other stores.
Needless to say this is exciting news indeed. Chinese design thus far has been shackled with the reputation of imitating not innovating, or descending into stereotypical Chinese schmalz; but this move will hopefully increase awareness in the West that there is more to Chinese design than mandarin collars and Chinese knots.
You might also be interested in :
Revealed: Where to Buy Valentine's Day Lingerie Part 1
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or your sweetheart, when it comes to lingerie, everybody wins. Here, we’ve rounded up a list of Beijing’s best stores to buy sexy bras, panties and teddies, with helpful photos to boot.
Win a Brand New Pair of Shoes From D:FUSE!
This women's shoe brand, first founded by expats in Shanghai in 2007, is now up to 14 Beijing branches and counting. (For a list of all existing store locations, click here.) According to their website, D:FUSE "strives to bring the latest Scandinavian urban trends to the fashion forward Chinese consumer."
It just so happens that their trend-conscious footwear appeals to us expats as well. And now, one lucky reader has the chance to win a pair of free shoes! Whether sandals or pumps, their designs typically range from RMB 600-1,500, with most of them priced at around the RMB 700-800 mark. You can check out some of D:FUSE's latest styles below, or peruse the full collections here.
The rules? With the exception of the higher-priced Desire line, you can choose whatever pair meets your fancy (though do note that their largest size available is 39).
Win a Free OSPOP Bag From Plastered T-shirts!
By now you’ve likely heard that Plastered T-shirts has opened a second Beijing branch in 798 Art District. (If not, catch up on all the details here.) Now we have even more photos of the store interior which, according to their blog, was designed by founder Dominic Johnson-Hill himself.
The Ship Has Sailed: Bon Voyage to ShopWeShip.com
Expats who rely on the material comforts of home may be disheartened to hear that ShopWeShip.com, previously known as Dong-Xi.com, has just announced that it will soon be discontinuing its services.
ShopWeShip.com was first established to give Chinese residents access to e-commerce sites that only shipped to US billing addresses. Back then, our options were few – we could hardly find quality Western food around town, let alone chic clothes from mid- to high-end retailers.
Atelier: P.J.
This impeccably dressed Hunan native can often be found chatting up visitors at Approx, her Nali Patio boutique. It’s a goldmine for elegant jewelry and accessories by local designers, as well as pieces from her own collections. We asked P.J. about her recent segue from jewelry to clothing design.
