A Brand Nu Approach to Shopping: Pop-up Shop This Sunday

We wrote about how Brand Nü needs our help last month. Beijing’s first charity store is committed to raising funds for migrant women in China, but operates on a tight budget. Now, with the cost of rent rising, Brand Nü is at risk of losing its current home in Wudaoying Hutong.

Of course, the community won’t let that happen without a fight. This Sunday, May 22 from 2-6pm, Sam and Sophie will be hosting a one-day-only pop-up shop at a courtyard near Yugong Yishan (directions and map below).

Sophie says we can expect “lots of fun Beijing people and racks and racks of vintage, second-hand, and ready-for-a-new-home clothing. Plus: bar, music, sun, fun.”

That’s right. Spring Bar will be serving up sangria, mojitos and mint juleps all day for only RMB 10-15 – and we have their word that it will be real. Brand Nü owner Nathan Zhang will also be present with pieces from his new fashion line UPCYCLE. DJ OK will be providing the lively tunes. There will also be silent auctions for the most desirable items, including designer pieces, imported wine, etc.

Anyone is free to contribute. Try and arrive between 12-2pm if you’re bringing old clothes, which will be priced upon your arrival based on quality (anywhere from RMB 10-60). If you think you have something worthy of the silent auction, let Sophie know in advance.

All sales from the event will go towards sustaining Brand Nu and its do-good mission. Any clothing not sold will also go back to Brand Nu for re-design and re-sale, or directly to women in rural areas. If you don’t have any clothes but want to help, just come by and browse. Or you can sell cupcakes, jewelry, anything – use your creativity.

Now spread the word! Email Sophie at sophia.mckinnon@googlemail.com if you have any questions.

1 Shiqiao Hutong (big red door), directly off Dongsi Batiao (east entrance on Chaonei Beixiaojie), Dongcheng District东城区朝内北小街东四八条东口石桥胡同1号. See map below.

Taxi: Take me to…“dongsibatiao dongkou (东四八条东口) which is the east entrance to Dongsibatiao. Walk straight for 150 meters (going west) until you get to a fruit shop and the first hutong on your left (not counting the public loos diversion). Head down Shiqiao Hutong (石桥胡同), which will come off Dongsi Batiao. They'll be the first door on the right.
Bus: No. 24 from the main Dongzhimen subway station (on the north side of the road, opposite Ginza Mall) has a stop almost exactly at the entrance to Dongsi Batiao east end (about 200m away from Sam and Sophie's home). Get out at the stop ‘Dongsi Jiutiao’. Turn right into Dongsi Batio and go 150m until you reach a fruit shop, with the entrance to Shiqiao Hutong on your left. They're at the first door on the right.
Subway: The nearest subway station is Zhangzizhonglu (Line 5). From Exit C head 100m south down Dongsibeidajie (东四北大街) and then turn left/east when you get to Dongsibatiao. The entrance to batiao is opposite a bakery called Holiland. Shiqiao Hutong is about 500m on your right if you are coming from the West.