Folio 线 STYLE Edited by Marianna Cerini / [email protected] RADAR LIFE & STYLE

COVET Crowning Glory UNDER THE LENS Hailing from Shanghai, these Wong Kar-wai headbands by label Les Petites Acclaimed Chinese filmmaker, Wong Kar-wai, has Shanghaiennes are a great way to been appointed as artistic director of ‘Chinese amplify the impact of your look. Whispers: Tales of the East in Art, Film and Fashion’, Evocatively named after the most MADE IN CHINA an exhibition slated to run at the Metropolitan emblematic districts of our flashier Museum of Art in New York from May 7 till August 16 sister city (the Bund, Jing’an and the Qyang 2015. former French Concession) they’re Perhaps we’re getting older, but The show, which will span the Met’s Chinese a big improvement on most run- in recent years – as heels become galleries and Costume Center, will of-the-mill high street products. seemingly higher and more explore the centuries-old relationship between China RMB80-120. outrageous – we’ve found ourselves Paws For Tea and the Western world up to the present day, as well > www.yetang.com opting for flats time and again. If so, Cats: your grandmother loves as China’s influence over differing eras of fashion, art those by Beijing-based brand Qyang them, the Internet loves them and and film. are usually first off our shoe rack. local design house, Pinyin Press, Among the items to be showcased will be movies Spanning slippers, midi-heels loves them too. So much so, that scenes depicting influential Chinese culture, as and boots that come in a range of it’s releasing a set of Jingdezhen well as over 100 examples of ready-to-wear and rich, autumnal hues like mustard, ceramics featuring cute lucky cat haute couture garments juxtaposed with traditional purple and burgundy, Qyang’s imagery (the feline figure, originally costume, paintings, porcelain and art. range has a retro aesthetic, which is from Japan, is believed to bring good reminiscent of the 1950s. fortune). Prices start at RMB118 Crafted in materials like suede for a single mug, but particularly and velvet, every is snug yet luckless souls should consider a set SPOTLIGHT flattering, with modest curves that of six. Nathan Zhang, founder of Brandnü pack femininity aplenty. Their soft > www.pinyinpress.com leather lining means they really can Tell us about your background. Aside from them, I’m currently working be worn all day long. I was born in Northeast China but over the as creative director for a new brand, and Best yet, designer and label last 20 years I’ve lived in many cities and I’ve been doing some PR work for CHI founder Que Yang is happy to done a number of different jobs. I’ve always Restaurant on Wudaoying Hutong. customize orders for larger sizes, so OVERHEARD had an interest in the creative industry. that even gals with ‘big’ feet (that’s I returned to China in 2008 and decided to Brandnü was on Wudaoying and so is over US7 here in China) can get start the Brandnü project in 2010. The aim CHI. The alley has seen tremendous their tootsies into a pair. RMB298- was to help migrant women earn a better growth in the last couple of years – do 468. “WE ARE AN ANCIENT income through selling products crafted you think the development is for better > qyangfootwear.taobao.com COUNTRY, BUT AT THE with upcycled materials [waste products or for worse? CASSANELLI NOEMI BY PHOTO reworked into usable items] to the Beijing Wudaoying is getting busier and busier, and to live here. I love the city’s hutongs, with SAME TIME A VERY YOUNG market. I think that’s a good thing. My only fear is their mismatched looks that are somehow that it might become like Nanluoguxiang balanced together. I like to wear colors and COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES How did Brandnü develop? – packed with tourists and lacking any clothes with cuts that reflect that. Our shop was the first of its kind in Beijing. really interesting stores – which might well TO FASHION AND NEW We turned second-hand donations into happen if the rents keep going up. Indie Favorite Beijing shop? skirts, handbags and jewelry, while stocking ventures can’t afford expensive places. Triple Major on Baochao Hutong has pretty PRODUCTS. WE LOVE TO some indie designers on the side. It was interesting stock – you’re always sure to a mix of migrant and urban – a social What do you make of China’s fashion find fun and original items there. EMBRACE EVERYTHING enterprise with a focus on fashion. scene? We closed last summer after we finished I think it’s getting more and more Latest fashion purchase? THAT IS NEW, MODERN training the women we’d worked with interesting. I particularly like how the Three knitted hats. I don’t have time to cut and moved on to build a migrant women’s concept of upcycling, which I got interested my hair so I just cover it up with hats! They AND POSITIVE” cooperative, equipped with sewing in a few years back, is now spreading among are my lifesavers. machines and other facilities. They’ve many designers and boutiques. There’s an mastered their skills and don’t need any increasing involvement in the movement. Your aesthetic in three words. Vogue China editor-in-chief, Angelica Cheung, on the decision to feature the Apple watch on the cover further assistance so now I’m focusing on Real, individual, simple. of the publication’s November issue. Sported by supermodel , this is the gadget’s editorial other projects. How has Beijing influenced your style? debut, and a strategic move from Apple to try to position itself as fashion-forward and wearable. I’ve been in love with Beijing since the day Creativity is… The device, which is set to go on sale early next year, also features in a glossy photo spread paired Which are…? I learned the song ‘I Love Tiananmen’ in Being able to maintain your individuality with various outfits – proof of the tech giant’s acknowledgement of the growing purchasing power of Well, my two kids keep me quite busy! kindergarten. Growing up, I always wanted and make things that inspire others. female luxury consumers in China.

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