Classically Appealing: Yiwen Studio at Sanlitun

After a stint in her native Shanghai, Cao Yiwen has brought her original designs and bespoke tailoring to Beijing. Her studio at Nali Patio is bright and airy, filled with the fresh scent of orchids; against the left wall stands a long rack of designs – classically appealing pieces with interesting fine detailing.

Yiwen says that a well-placed zipper or pleat can make all the difference. Depending on the fabric, her creations usually fall in the RMB 1,000-2,000 range.

Yiwen also offers a service that will appeal to shoppers with a green conscience or a sentimental streak. Bring in a few of your old clothes and she’ll breathe new life into them – for example, an old T-shirt of yours can be paired with one of her skirts and fashioned into a dress. Past clients have modernized their mothers’ vintage dresses and transformed boyfriends’ shirts into one-of-a-kind garments.

Must buy: Camel-colored wool jacket
Also try: Funktion

Yiwen Studio
Daily noon-8pm. D303, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Beilu, Chaoyang District (5208 6163)
朝阳区三里屯北路81号那里花园D303

Search for more Beijing shops by name and neighborhood or share your opinions with the rest of Beijing by adding a user review of any of the shops in our online directory of venues.