images courtesy of Shanghai Tang

As we gear up for the Olympics, more new buildings and lavish venues are rushing to take advantage of the global attention that the games will focus on Beijing – although it seems not all of them are going to make the August deadline. After a hastily arranged art opening back in May, the Legation Quarter revealed a more composed and ready-to-meet-the-world version of itself late last month when it invited Beijing's glitterati around for the unveiling of Shanghai Tang's 2008 Autumn Winter collection. Over 400 people, including film star Zhou Xun, American director Andy Tennant and photo artist Xiao Huiwang attended what was the label's first international event in Beijing.

The striking setting certainly complemented what turned out to be a fairly striking collection. Entitled Luck, the collection draws on one of Chinese culture's most auspicious symbols. However, it successfully merged the strong traditions of Chinese culture with a distinctly wearable set of threads. Highlights included the streamlined '50s inspired dresses with gold lurex detailing, the sleek black dresses with exposed backs, and the snug woolen capes. It also signaled the debut of Central Saint Martins' graduate Joseph Li, who takes the post of Women's Ready-to-wear head designer.

As well as looking in much better shape, more of the Legation Quarter's venues are now open. The classy French restaurant Maison Boulud a Pekin run by celebrity chef Daniel Boulud, is now open for business and you can get a peek inside the kitchen here care of Time's China Blog writer Simon Elegant. Keep an eye on the blog and the upcoming August issue of the Beijinger for a review of Maison Boulud.

Links and Sources
Shanghai Tang
Legation Quarter
Urbane: Quarterlife
SMH: Restored Qing Dynasty street not ready for Olympics
Youtube: maison boulud beijing