Pursuit of Aesthetics: Virginie Fournier of Shanghai Trio

Virginie Fournier, one of the three original founders of Shanghai Trio, first launched her brand in the name of beauty. Now heading into its 12th year of business, this home accessories store – with branches in Paris, Shanghai and Beijing’s Sanlitun Village North – tweaks the colors and textures of old Chinese items and makes them current again. The latest collection just hit stores last week. We spoke with her about her pursuit of aesthetics and how she keeps traditional items looking so fresh.

I wanted to find beautiful things. In my mind, China was like Ali Baba’s cave – full of treasures. When I finally arrived, I was disappointed – at first. Then I realized you just have to look below the surface.

As a French native, I have been living in China for more than ten years. Shanghai Trio design comes from a reconstruction of Chinese history, feelings, visions, colors, fabrics and shapes, recollected from various wanderings and personal memories.

The story of Shanghai Trio started as the initiative of three friends more than ten years ago. The word “trio” has a lot of power – it is usually used for music when there are three instruments. We wish to play a nice melody between different cultures. To work, create together and share it with those who appreciate.

Shanghai Trio is about the people I’ve met along the road. It’s more like a journey than a business; a crossroads of traditional know-how and resolutely modern design. I want our shops to have the feeling of travel – and not just superficial tourist travel, but a deep exploration of the culture.

Our products are for people who are energetic, enthusiastic and already established in their lives. They don’t need to make a statement – they already have their own style.

I find inspiration from daily life, but most of all, from the craftspeople themselves. I need to go out to come up with designs; I don’t gather them in a studio. The ideas come from outside.

Chinese elements are excessively used by designers here, and I feel that too much detail in general sometimes kills the style. This is true for any design around the world. So, we try to focus on a simplification of products ... to have one strong line, with the help of graphics.

We refuse to do mass-production. We take traditional know-how and find a way to let modern people use it. Our work is more about creativity and quality. It needs to be new; it also has to be well-done.

Our foreign customers aren’t attracted to our products because they’re from China. To be international, you have to appeal to everyone. We aim to be a brand that people buy from because they appreciate the style, the colors and the story.

Shanghai Trio. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-7pm. B1/F, NLG-38, Sanlitun Village North, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District (6417 3606) 朝阳区三里屯路 11号Village北区地下1层NLG-38单