2011 Jun 21 Fashion for the Cool Kids: Alexander Wang in Beijing

Meet Alexander Wang. This 27-year-old Taiwanese-American womenswear designer has already established himself as a cult favorite among Hollywood’s most stylish elite.
At age 24, he took home the coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award; and last February, he opened up his very first flagship store in NYC’s trendy SOHO district.

He revealed to StyleList.com that his Manhattan boutique was meant to “replicate what [his] apartment looks like,” and told Women's Wear Daily (WWD) that he “wanted something quite pristine and hard.”
Will he transfer that aesthetic to his Beijing flagship store as well? We're about to find out. Yep, that's right – according to WWD, by early 2012 Mr. Wang is scheduled to open his second-ever store in the world here in Beijing: a two-level space in Sanlitun Village North.
The move is a risky one, but then again, this Parsons School dropout isn't known for playing it safe. One might speculate on why he's choosing China instead of the West Coast (say, San Francisco where he grew up) for his next retail location. But if you take a look at his roots, you'll find his own parents relocated their successful plastics manufacturing company from the US to China two decades ago. Beijing Today claims the move was a result of their belief that "[China's] where the future of big business lay."
And his brands – Alexander Wang and his cheaper, more accessible line T by Alexander Wang – are entirely family-owned. We have no doubt his parents played a role in his decision to come to Beijing. (Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Wang!)
If you’re unfamiliar with his work, check out his website here. His designs – which he’s called the “off-duty model” look – mostly sport a nonchalant, androgynous edge, drawing from a combination of ‘90s grunge and French chic. See how the celebs wear Alexander Wang below.

Photos: Beijing Today, Vogue.com, InStyle.com
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Alexander Wang Arrives With a Bang

Cold cement benches swathed in woolly pelts. Asphalt floors offset by bronze and mirrored walls. Sleek leather couches made unpretentious by lovingly worn creases. One feels very small at Alexander Wang’s second store in the world, a 4,000sqm space that perfectly captures the brand’s aesthetic contradictions: austere but natural, functional but flattering, and trendy but timeless.
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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.
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Approx, an independent designer boutique in Nali Patio, has remained on the Beijinger radar for quite some time now. We first extolled the brand and its offerings back in November 2010. The young stylish owner, P.J. (add her on Weibo here), has since started a clothing line called Black + Noir, but jewelry and accessories remain the store’s specialty.
Considering the trendiness of pop-up shops (see here, here, here and here), we should’ve known that’d be P.J’s next step.
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cool girl
Re: Fashion for the Cool Kids: Alexander Wang in Beijing
a cool style guy
timing for leap, i am contented as a woman