“When you think of traditional glasses stores, you can’t help but envision an environment void of atmosphere or passion and an overwhelming sea of products. This could not be further from what we experienced upon visiting Coterie, a boutique glasses store newly opened on Julu Lu in Shanghai.
What makes Coterie stand out is a passion that runs through every element of the store. From the original products through to the meticulous in-store design details, you know that an incredible amount of thought has been invested in every inch. Indeed, calling their glasses ‘products’ is perhaps unjust, rather Coterie’s founders consider their glasses original pieces of art that should be celebrated, not just sold. As a result, the atmosphere in Coterie is closer to that of a cutting edge, contemporary art gallery than a traditional retail space”. Via Flamingo Shanghai.
AnyShopStyle Offer
“If you’ve been looking for an excuse to spruce up your summer wardrobe, here’s your chance. For one week only, spend 1,000RMB or more at AnyShopStyle and receive a free gift from Shanghai accessories brand, D.D.0! As the debut designer for AnyShopStyle’s all-new leather bag collection, D.D.0 can carry all your miscellany this season, with a selection ranging from sparkling grape laptop bags to cute, studded coin pouches”. Details.
Guo Pei Exhibition
“Guo Pei is often described as China’s only couturier. The notes accompanying Chinese Bride, a two-day exhibition in Beijing’s 798, highlight the time taken to complete each of her outfits. The least time-consuming of all took 966 hours - well over a month if you worked round the clock. The most painstaking is an embellished pearl gown, which took 8026 hours to complete”. Continue reading.
Zhang Da
Created in 2005 by Shanghai-based designer, Zhang Da, Boundless is a brand that has received national and international acclaim for its intellectual yet relaxed approach to design. Instead of producing consistent seasonal collections, Zhang Da creates capsule collections born from ideas and concepts. He works with basic shapes such as circles and squares to form 2-dimensional cuts that flow with the body (rather than create shape around it), reflecting a Chinese sensibility towards clothing. More recently, the designer has been working at Hermes’ experimental brand, Shang Xia. Via China Fashion Collective.
New Dimension Beijing
“On 18 May, Hugo Boss is set to launch its 3D New Dimension Beijing event. For the BOSS Black Fashion Show, the brand will showcase its A/W 2012 BOSS Black collection at a live runway show and via live-stream on hugoboss.com in 3D, and optimise the show for iPhone apps and social media networks. In the run-up to the event at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, to be hosted by Patrice Bouédibéla and Wang Yi-zhi, Hugo Boss is providing free BOSS Black 3D glasses, which can be ordered in advance”. Via Jing Daily.
China Design Hub
Founded by Shanghai-based Waikit Chung, China Design Hub is yet another website full of Chinese design goodness.
“Redress launches The EcoChic Design Award China 2012, a sustainable fashion design competition challenging emerging fashion designers to create mainstream fashion with minimal textile waste. The competition provides designers with the sustainable design tools to take them through six months of design and theory that culminates at a final runway show at Shanghai Fashion Week in October. Twelve grand finalists will then compete for the chance to design a sustainable collection for retailer ESPRIT, visit John Hardy’s sustainable Bali-based production facilities and visit Hong Kong Fashion Week”. Details.
Paloma Sanchez
Paloma Sanchez is a Beijing-based gemologist and jewellery designer. Each of her pieces are handmade by local employees - goldsmiths and silversmiths from Guangzhou, where a strong jewellery tradition prevails - whilst all precious stones are independently sourced by the designer herself. We spoke with Paloma to find out more about travelling to mines in conflict countries, and how she built her brand to what it is today.
“The Raffles Privato show during Shanghai Fashion Week featured 13 collections from the best of Raffles Design Institute, Shanghai’s graduating fashion design class. Some of the school’s alumni are now the stars of Shanghai’s fashion scene, including Helen Lee (class of 2000), who was on hand to witness the next generation of China’s design superstars strut their stuff”. Continue reading.
