sty le Edited by Marianna Cerini & Tongfei Zhang / [email protected] radar

Made in China Covet

The best jewelry doesn’t have to cost an Kitchen cosmetics LIFE & style arm and a leg. Just look at Kampong Glam. There’s nothing like a little down time. The best Started by New Zealander Charlotte Bebbington, the brand way to enjoy it? At home, watching The Wire is a treasure trove of little handmade gems, from chunky Spotlight bracelets and delicate earrings to geometric necklaces, all in show your polluted skin pores a little love. an array of zesty hues and super affordably priced. Steered Yilei Wu, owner of XINLELU.COM Forgetfor the thefifteenth pallid, time, synthetically with a face perfumed, mask on to from Bebbington’s need and passion to make things by Your style in a nutshell. hand, the venture’s namesake is inspired by the Malay word in Sephora though. Go DIY instead. Or, Relaxed yet sophisticated. Give us three Chinese designers to watch. for village and Kampong Glam, a major cultural enclave in ifexpensively you want to packaged save some stuff time, you’d use find I’d go for designers that are less recognized Singapore famed for its brightly colored shops and houses any product from Shanghai-based What’s in your bag right now? - Kun Man Ma (an architect-turned-fashion – one of the creative’s favorite spots in the Southeast Asian cosmetic brand Lalu. Made with A notebook, my wallet, keys and lipstick. 100 percent natural ingredients, Angie Wu (a senior product designer who in Kampong Glam,” says Bebbington. “It’s all about taking the concoctions span scrubs, How do you think Shanghai has influ- designer), Xin Xin (from REdesign) and simplecity. “The materials hues you such see as in paintmy collection and wood are and those ‘glamming’ you’d find body creams, masks and even enced your aesthetics? them up.” And what a lovely outcome that ‘glam- beard balms for the gents. Our I was born and raised here most of my life, so XINLELU.COMhas recently launched has been her around jewelry for line). a ming’ brings. Pieces are made with slabs of wood favorites for this cooler month - while. How has it changed over the years? hand cut from Rimu, a native wood from New are the charcoal face mask gle detail. I like the fact that it is so modern We have been exploring and working with Zealand, and mixed with a rustic aesthetic andthe city metropolitan, really has influencedbut also chaotic me in in every some sin independent designers from both China with edgy, geometric shapes, trimmings, few others when it comes to skin ways – the mix keeps it constantly interest- and overseas, which has always been a core delicate chains and colored details. cleansing,(RMB80/30g), the caffeine a quick eyefix like serum ing. As for my aesthetics, I think Shanghai element of our philosophy. But we did go Each item packs attitude aplenty, and, has helped make it sophisticated and smart, through a re-branding process last Autumn. best yet, it looks like it costs 10 times its puffy eyes and eye bags and the tropi- with a tiny little twist. actual price. For accessories whose luster (RMB80/30ml), which gets rid of Shanghai Girl image’ and gradually creating a is only enhanced by their costume status, smoothie on your skin. Delicious AND effec- Besides XINLELU.COM, what are your fa- communityNow we are offocused young onprofessionals redefining the(our ‘New main Kampong Glam is your best bet. Earrings tive.cal sugar scrub (RMB98) – like a fruity vorite shops in Shanghai? start at RMB70, necklaces at RMB80 and

I usually prefer indie boutiques – friends run bracelets at RMB120. // Email [email protected] or call 1362 1929535 to place audience) through online editorial content lots of them. I am a fan of Absolute Floralist, not just a fashion destination. I hope it will your order. Yours and Industrial on Julu Lu. I do go to and offline events. For me, XINLELU.COM is // Find Kampong Glam at markets around Shanghai or at Isetan often as well, Tokyo Hands is great fun! think about ‘Shanghai girls.’ kampongglamjewellery.weebly.com become the first word to jump out when you What do you do at XINLELU.COM? What Who are those girls? does your role cover? Girls living in Shanghai – modern, chic, intel- Everything from buying and retail operation ligent, open-minded and fun. They love the to marketing… In the past half year, I have diversity this city can offer, they appreciate spent loads of time writing interview stories and working hard. They buy from high-street as well as doing collaborations with other asboth well fine as dining luxury and shopping street malls,food, partying but they indiefor our boutiques WeChat officialand restaurants. account and website, also fully embrace the fun of discovering and supporting new designers like those The one thing you couldn’t live without… At the moment, my iPhone or WeChat (to be //XINLELU.COM 414 Shaanxi Bei Lu, works by Beijing with. Xi Lu 陕西北路, 近北京西路 sy on it. On a deeper, more serious level, I’d say (www.xinlelu.com) more specific), since I basically work and live Nicky Alm a Nicky friends and family. I am a people person. Overheard “It’s not easy to get // A Chinese netizen com- so many big names menting on the overly pho- toshopped covers of Vogue together for a China’s September issue, cover shoot, which marks the tenth anniver- sary of the fashion glossy in the and not easy to PRC. Famed photographer Mario Testino was asked to shoot 10 iconic make them all Chinese actresses for two covers look ugly (golden and silver) that pay homage to the Hollywood glamour of the 30s and at the same 40s mixed with a few Chinese elements. The excessive airbrushing and retouching, time too.” however, sparked a series of snarky remarks from Internet users, with many complaining the celebs look so different from real life they can’t even recognize them.

30 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 31 Wrap Up

LIFE & STYLE » fashion Because winter’scoming

Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Runway inspiration Burberry Prorsum Dries Van Noten Fendi Hackett London Stella McCartney J.W. Anderson Valentino Victoria Beckham

by Marianna Cerini

Oversized coats Supersized pockets Shearling galore Any green goes Fake fur 80s Redux Black and white a la Cruella de Turtlenecks The statement overcoat has The man bag is so 2014. This A classic menswear material, Grey is actually the king color Soft, fluffy and cruelty-free, Believe it or not, the good-times Vil Sometimes, a trend comes along never been stronger. Whether year, it's all about huge pockets. shearling will make a prominent this winter, but green beats off fake furs will lend a lady- look of the eighties has officially Checks, stripes, diamonds, zebra that is both blissfully practical single- or double-breasted, the Not only will they prove great to appearance on the high street stiff competition from orange like touch to most outfits made a comeback. Expect bold print, you name it. Graphic black (keeps you warm, covers up pallid most popular coat of the season store all your daily necessities, this winter. What's different than pink and blue as the second- (as long as you don't pair and brash ensembles, Lurex, and white will be all over the winter skin) and completely on- is cut from wool and with a soft but they'll also be the focus of usual, it is the way it is deployed: most popular hue for the chilly them with your gym pants). patent leather, quilt, neon and shops this fall. the-money hip. This season it is shoulder, for a slouchy, over- your next piece of outerwear,cut not only as a coat lining, but also months. All shades accepted, Stoles, big coats, shearling velvet to be your party attire of happening with the turtleneck. sized vibe. from conspicuously contrasting on sneakers, bags and jumpers. from army to forest to mint. jackets – anything goes. choice. Fish out the one you have in your fabrics and sewn on in promi- closet (everyone owns a turtle- nent positions. neck), and you are good to go.

It’s September, which in planet fashion means there’s a whole new look fast approaching. If you want to

COS H&M River Island H&M H&M COS Topshop H&M know what everyone will be wearing RMB1,900 RMB599 RMB590.92 RMB499 RMB1,499 RMB890 RMB465 RMB399 this fall/winter, top fashion mags > www.cosstores.com > www.hm.com > www.asos.com > www.hm.com > www.hm.com > www.cosstores.com > www.topshop.com > www.hm.com are your required reading. Can’t be bothered to skim through the billions of ads and ultra expensive photo- shoots of the bigger guns? Worry not. We’ve dug through this month’s bumper editions of Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar and GQ to pick the runway trends that will be making the biggest impact on our wardrobes this fall. From graphic black and white, hard-hitting punk, military

Zara Paul Smith Base London Topman ASOS Missy Skins Zara Topshop styling and an Eighties comeback, RMB1,799 RMB2,556.86 RMB1,136.38 RMB310 RMB397.73 RMB7,599 RMB299 RMB425 here’s your cheat sheet to ‘cold’ > www.zara.cn > www.asos.com > www.asos.com > www.topman.com > www.asos.com > missyskins.com > www.zara.cn > www.topshop.com fashion.

32 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 33 feature | life & style C o-founder of AUNN C afé Shanghai Luo Yang

Name three of your passions. Style Fall 2015 Good design, tattoos and coffee. Coffee would have to go The City’s Most Fashionable Men Howfirst, actually.did you get into coffee-making? By complete chance, actually. I had just graduated and By didn’t really know what I wanted to do, so I started work- Marianna Cerini ing part-time in a café. I found it pretty interesting and Photos by decided to become a professional barista. Nicky Almasy I was at Lavazza for a while, but found it quite bor- ing. Specialty cafés were starting to open up in Shanghai Men and style. For some, the concept sounds a bit like an at the time, so I decided to join the wave and founded oxymoron. The two go together like socks and sandals: Seesaw Coffee with a bunch of other coffee enthusiasts. they rub along, but not comfortably or prettily. Even the I took part in China’s Barista Championship while at Seesaw, and after that, acted as a technical judge for the word fashion is enough to make some guys break out competition. in an unsightly rash. That’s not the case for everyone though. A few gents out there have their own distinctive and individual ideas about what looks good. In Shanghai, Need Now. Think of it as a cafe-meets-design space. they’re a growing cluster. From singers to entrepreneurs, I like change though, so now I’m opening AUNN – All You PR gurus to bloggers, a number of men are raising the bar If Shanghai were a coffee drink, what would it be? for style in the city, and carrying themselves through the A latte. Not too harsh on the palate, but still robust,

keeps you going. can teach you a thing or two about how to get dressed — sometimes with a strong finish that surprises you and world with confidence and originality. They are men who and whose moves you’ll most want to steal. Where did you get your tattoo? I started in Chengdu, where I am from originally, and We met them. Here are some of Shanghai’s most stylish then continued in Shanghai. It’s kind of a work in pro- guys. gress still.

How would you describe your style? I think of myself as the rock star of coffee culture in China. I like to keep things simple, but always with a bit

tend towards understated things that still make a lasting impression.of edge. It reflects You don’t the wayhave I to approach be loud tocoffee leave as your well. mark. I

34 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 35 Co-founder of Young Chinese Blood (YCB) 37 FE & STYLE I feature » L www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 / September www.thatsmags.com Xing Zhao Xing - Guide us through your outfit. your Guide us through Chinese is Young I’m wearing Almost everything is Daniel Wellington, My watch Blood (YCB). David Italian brand from are and the sunglasses label called a French from The shoes are Marc. a dapper look with a touch I like Shoes. Riviera of retro. – pocket products lifestyle does men’s YCB but also ties and scarves. chiefly, squares, start the brand? to What led you run my to the desire and in the market, A gap I launched it and Jenny My sister company. own in design and I She has a background last year. - details and good tai for had an eye always have a good team. loring. We’re Blood’? Chinese ‘Young Why the concept of good bring forward to wanted We the but also ‘Made’ and ‘Designed in China,’ ideas. fresh for the country is a hotbed that fact here. blood. The scene is ever-evolving Young in a nutshell. style Your see me on the way If you and flexible. Versatile baseball a backpack, wearing the gym, I’d be to dress to hair and shorts. But I do like cap, messy ties. And a pocket shirts and wearing up. I enjoy square. a pocket of course. Always square wearing? caught be never you What would No style. street to related vaguely Anything baggy jeans or hip-hop looks. in interest an increasing think there’s Do you among men in China? ‘formal’ dressing in Beijing or Shanghai, And not just Absolutely. It’s a cities too. but in second- and third-tier foraying actually We’re I hope will stay. trend this growing meet clothing soon, to men’s into shirts, be starting with printed demand. We’ll it goes. and see how - think rep you square pocket a YCB Is there well? particularly Shanghai resents It’s in square. pocket Shanghai our Fumo Yes, artistic and Art Deco – two Futurism by spired have yet here that did not originate currents our city. by assimilated been seamlessly - verse styles. Blow never wears hats, he has wears never Blow styles. verse prints likes haircut. Koz of a Korean more and colors. Me, I’m just an ABC (American- on our music born Chinese). It reflects That’s flow. – each of us has a different too us stand out. makes what creative your influence Does Shanghai at all? process up in Hong does. I grew : It sure Al Rocco in living after Shanghai and came to Kong a for London, Los Angeles and New York Chinese roots. with my bit, reconnect to definitely and Chinese culture Shanghai Blow and Koz work. my seep through ‘breathed’ always have They up here. grew are. they It’s who Shanghai. tracks, one of your were If Shanghai it be? one would which it in released We : 'Gangjia Wang'. Al Rocco It’s been a huge hit.June and it exploded. us. is for Shanghai It’s what For those who don’t know – what’s Busy – what’s Busy know don’t those who For Gang? Gang is a Shanghai-based : Busy Al Rocco think of it to I like group. hip-hop and rap of us – It’s three finest crew. as the PRC’s met in 2013 and and I. We Koz Fever, Blow both in sick tracks been making pretty have since. The idea is and Chinese ever English and hip-hop music rap the bar for raise to good a pretty doing in China. I think we’re job at that. style. your Guide us through one stick to to tend : Some crews Al Rocco di very all have but we look, one uniform,

September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com 2015 / September

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Hip-hop crew Busy Gang Busy Fashion blogger PR strategist, digital consultant and overall ‘Digital Pimp’ - 39 FE & STYLE I feature » L Peter Xu Peter www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 / September www.thatsmags.com Tell us about your outfits. your us about Tell Simons x Adidas Raf blue outfit, from are the shoes my For London brand from are jacket the pants and Originals, while look, silver my As for is Topman. The bowtie Noose & Monkey. pants and and Tagbox are sunglasses Vinyl’s, the cap is Stereo Juun.J. from are jacket one of are you on Sina Weibo, With 1.3 million followers did How media influencers. main fashion and social China’s get here? you business. with the entertainment and involved to drawn been I’ve co-hosting a bi I did a bit of TV university, school. At since high When followers. and more and that got me more lingual program, and it kind using it regularly, off in 2009, I started kicked Weibo media social done it all through I have there. from of snowballed strength. – that’s my job? the most about your like What do you something it when love social media. I get through you The reach thousands of people. It’s by reposted get I take or photos I write, rewarding. incredibly is fashion for you? and what What is style much agree I very remains.’ but style fades ‘fashion say People and it takes nurture, to have with that. is something you Style more on the other hand, it’s easier, Fashion, time and practice. all fleeting and trends, It spans a billion different immediate. can you which from in a way, a library, It’s like interchangeable. style. your that’ll make pick and choose the garments aesthetic? describe your you would How hip-hop elements, prints and Colorful, bold and daring. I like clothes. sporty and showy fashion faux pas for men? What’s worst the Lots of guys get people’s attention. just to womenswear Wearing clothes in in heels and women’s dress in the industry these days androgynous I like be noticed. I call them peacocks. the hope to put on a skirt in order to have think you but I don’t myself, looks That’s not being fashionable. be recognized. to - - -

ies. It profiles different people around the country who the country who people around different ies. It profiles the broken in the sense that they’ve ‘unreasonable’ are They with their lives. rules, or done something different start KickerClub, job at Apple to chose me as I quit a safe - been pro ago, and have 15 years site, skateboarding my since – pretty in the country ever culture moting skating China! for unreasonable How is Shanghai’s skating scene? skating is Shanghai’s How in is the capital of skateboarding Amazing. Shanghai their head have brands China. Most skateboarding quarters here, and there are so many pros in the city – in the pros so many are and there here, quarters if be here to It’s great Chinese, Americans and Europeans. skating. into you’re town? in skateboard to places Favorite I go in Pudong. If it’s raining and the Place SMP Skatepark - skateboard by in Puxi, owned a mini indoor skatepark to as I have now, go once a week I only ATD. ing company his routine, adapt to had to – I’ve an 18-month-old baby know. you skateboard? to him how teach going to you Are I go bring him with me when to started already I’ve Yes. cruise together. and we I put him on the board practicing. it a lot. enjoy He seems to style? describe your you would How hip categories: style has a lot of different Skateboarding flat caps – hip-hop – baggy shirts jeans and – skinny ster and there, – and punk – the odd chain here and trousers as quite think of myself to jeans. I like skinny plus more it keep to I like a specific group. belong to I don’t neutral. shorts and original, neat design. tees, simple – white today? wearing you What are hat company, favorite is my which The hat is Brixton, and the shorts are The t-shirt is Vans California. from and Volcom are Helas. The socks brand local skater from and Anti Vans between a collaboration the shoes are is from The board of mine. brand another favorite Hero, in Qingdao. Fei friend Yuan my back. taxis a while in a video in all Shanghai were You that about? What was agency Anomaly, with advertising I collaborated did and is still doing this video series called which six Chinese cit in cabs across showcased 'Unreasonable,' September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com 2015 / September Andrew Guan Andrew

Founder of skateboarding website Kickerclub.com and professional skateboarder 38 Arrivals interiors » LIFE & STYLE

Atelier Miss Lu Scene&Heard By Marianna Cerini was a serious feat. Then Atelier Miss Lu set up shop on Fuxing Lu Just a few years ago, finding the perfect cocktail dress in Shanghai our past Spotlight interviewee Miss Lu, the brand creates striking, Jing Republic sophisticated,(now closed) and wallet-friendly Wuyuan Lu, frocks and everything that mix timeless changed. charm Conceived with bya contemporary twist and a thorough attention to detail. From backless Jing Republic is slowly building a mini empire in lines, each garment is a serious statement piece, and one you’ll keep Shanghai. The cafe-cum- insilhouettes your wardrobe to geometrical for years cuts, to come. invisible As of side last pockets month, theand designer form fitting home décor store started off has brought her creations to a new space on Fumin Lu, a quaint boutique that’s set to become a favorite among style-savvy urbanites Jing’an, expanded to the for- merfirst Frenchwith a sizeable Concession space last in night. White walls and minimalist décor create the perfect contrast year with a shop on Dongping tolooking the colorful for killer array outfits of garbs and classyon offer, dresses which to span take a them series from of cobalt, day to Lu and has now opened a red and white showstoppers. The mantra here is if you love it, grab it, since most pieces are bound to sell out fast. where Madison used to be. new spot off Xiangyang Lu, Replicating a winning formula, the place is a happy combination of excel- // 174 Fumin Lu, by Changle Lu 富民路174号, 近长乐路([email protected]) lent sourcing, helpful staff and a layout that’s constantly being reinvented. The team behind the venture has also focused on food here - half of the space is occupied by a restaurant serving contemporary Western food. That means A large customers can lazily while away a few hours both browsing and munching on some pretty decent fare. Design items on display main- tain the fresh, original outlook that has come to characterize the lifestyle venture, mixing contemporary homewares from a wide range of up-and- coming designers. Plates, table cloths, kitchen gadgets, you name it. The selection is wide, interesting and colorful. Our favorite? The ingenious can- dles by Taiwanese designer Finding Cheska, which double up as body oil af- ter they are burned. Worth a visit, even just for some interiors inspiration.

// 3 Fenyang Lu, by Huaihai Zhong Lu 汾阳露3号, 近淮海中路 (335 62822)

American Rag Los Angeles multi-brand destination American Rag has recently made its foray into the country with a shiny new shop in Jing’an’s Crystal Galleria mall. The store – an airy, sunny two-story space that also includes a mezzanine – is dotted with iconic American memorabilia like skateboards, boxing gloves and retro style telephones. It carries what the brand is mostly known for: contemporary international designers, streetwear and a full complement of ac- cessories and footwear. Denim and vintage inspired styles are very much the focus here, with beautifully aged and distressed classic - houettes that range from skinny legs to wide pants.five pockets Shoes for are men another and women,strong point and silof the shop, particularly for the gents, who will

pattern detail and suede black lace ups from find brown leather brogues with stitched checking out too – think baseball caps and retro-lookingUK brand Sanders. sunnies Accessories that have are been worth all the rage lately. Overall, American Rag’s selection – which is pretty affordably priced in our modest opinion – offers a welcome addition to Shanghai’s style scene. With plans afoot to open 30 or 40 new stores over the next four years across China, this might just be a new trendsetter for the country as a whole.

// L2-12/13 Crystal Galleria, 68 Yuyuan Lu, by Changde Lu 愚园 路68号晶品L2-12-13, 近常德路 (5235 3875)

40 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 41 POC luxury» LIFE & STYLE Portrait of China Florentia Village

ith market growth in China slow- - W pers seeking less conspicuous opulence anding greater and affluent discounts, Chinese the shopluxury industry is importing a solution from other continents: outlet malls. Ventures peddling high-end brands at a The brands on the premises are all from China’s wealthy classes. quarter of the price have increasingly been Ayi, 68 top-notch, spanning Armani, Salvatore Catering to the PRC’s fast developing re- Ferragamo, Ralph Lauren, Ermenegildo Zegna, tail environment, the outlet runs a number cities across the country. Near Shanghai, Versace, Moncler, Montblanc, Vertu, Bally, I.T, of promotions and events to engage a diver- Florentiapopping up Village around is perhaps first- and the second-tier most suc- Coach, Michael Kors, CK jeans, Nike, GAP and cessful example. I won’t tell you of fashion hunters to families and young Operated by Value Retail, a London-based outlet stores of Marc by Marc Jacobs, Celine professionals.sified clientele, from China’s growing group developer of discount luxury outlets, Florentia my name but I andUGG. Givenchy, The outdoor currently mall is the also only operating company the to Luxury shopping for all is not a market Village spans around 35,000 square meters do so in the domestic market. model you hear often, but Florentia Village can tell you that and comprises approximately 200 boutiques, Prices are much cheaper compared seems to have it down, and rather success- of which 10-15 percent sell discounted to stores in the city center, attracting the fully so. I am almost 70. Chinese brands. Its proximity to Shanghai wealthy new middle classes who are ready makes it an easy destination for bargain- to buy luxury international fashion, but who // Zhuoyao Lu, by Binhai Road, Pudong District, 浦东新区卓耀 hunting shoppers, but it also puts the venture do not quite have the means yet to often go 路58弄 近滨海路 within reach of some 20 million people. I used to be a fac- abroad for the lower prices, like consumers tory worker. I am retired now. I enjoy it quite a lot to be honest. If I could give a piece of advice to anyone, it would be to just strive for happiness. y Holly L i Holly y oto b P h oto C e r i n i, y Mar i anna y s b Wo rd s 42 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 43 Travel travel » LIFE & STYLE

Little has changed since 1370, when in the Old Town or 3 kilometers down sailors from Oman began to ply these the beach in quaint, sleepy Shela village. waters, establishing a lucrative trade of Guesthouses tend to be longstanding, slaves and spices. Due to the lively econo- family-run establishments offering huge my, Lamu became the largest port in East balconies with hammocks and views Africa and experienced a golden age in the across the Indian Ocean, carved four- 17th and 18th centuries as a protectorate poster beds with mosquito nets and cool, of Oman. Ethnically, it was a crossroads clay-walled bathrooms. Rooms tend to for Bantu, Arabic, Persian, Indian and come with a ‘houseboy,’ a throwback to - colonial days. Eighteen-year-old Zero was there to make the free breakfast EuropeanThe majority influences, of the and unique arts and architec litera - every morning: fresh mango and coconut ture flourishedhas remained alongside untouched: commerce. white- smoothies and scrambled eggs on chewy washed towers with curved apertures homemade toast. Zero assists with every- are topped with thatched roofs. There thing: arrangements for dhow trips, guid- are no roads, only labyrinthine alleys and narrow footpaths. Homes and walls have an Indian restaurant and keeping your a distinct Lamu texture and bleached-out rooming you stocked through with the chilled maze ofTusker alleys beer. to find color due to the unusual ‘coral rag’ used Lamu is predominantly Muslim and to construct them – blocks cut straight some sensitivity is needed – bikinis are from dead coral. Arabic touches remain welcome on beaches but not so much in the intricately hand-carved wooden when walking around town. There are windows and doors which adorn most 23 mosques on the island, the most well houses, as do the footbaths at courtyard known being Riyadha, built by Yemeni entrances for visitors to rinse off with settlers in the late 1880s. A century later, water laden with frangipani blossoms. All of this led to Lamu being declared a Islamic studies in East Africa. Women are seenit became mostly the wearing most significant head-to-toe hub black of one of the “oldest and best preserved abeya despite the heat, and interactions SwahiliUNESCO settlements.” World Heritage Site for being with them are pretty limited except for Most accommodation on Lamu is buying delicious samosas laced with

rrival at Manda Airport, the starting point for Kenya’s Lamu Island, is a fun and furry one. A cluster of pastel tin shelters Bohemian A bake silently in the sun. Cheery hand-painted signs indicate these are the open-air waiting rooms and refreshment stand. The pas- Rhapsody sengers from the 12-seat plane we arrived on begin to look around and chuckle – there appear to be no people manning the booths, just Cultures collide in exotic, historic Lamu sleepy cats. After zipping across the sparkling water in a ‘banana boat’ to by Jane Kent Lamu Old Town, it is noticeable that the feline population is not just an airport oddity. Cats languishing under trees, doorways, every nook and cranny really, have become part of Lamu’s identity as much as donkeys – the island’s only option for land transportation other than your own two feet.

with a few days on the beach at Mombasa, the effort put in to go the extraWhile two hoursit’s not to uncommon tiny Lamu isfor worth tourists it. Sitting to finish two up degrees their safari south trip of the equator, Lamu has been an important port of call for centuries. It is one of a handful of islands making up the Lamu Archipelago, which is separated by a narrow channel from mainland Kenya. Much of the isle is covered in dense mangrove trees, which is the primary reason Lamu’s three towns are situated on the sea and why the inland re- mains uninhabited. This is characteristic Swahili Coast, with more in common with Somalia above and Tanzania’s Zanzibar islands below than with Kenya itself.

44 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 45 Travel

spicy peri-peri pepper, a Kenyan favorite. Alcohol is not consumed by many locals but is available in some restaurants and shops. for the day. The beach boys will cruise around neighboring islands, Day activities, other than swimming and lazing on empty white For about USD50 per person, a traditional sailboat can be rented sand beaches, include getting lost in the ancient backstreets of Lamu barbecued on board for dinner. Snorkeling is excellent; pristine reefs Town. Landmarks to help with navigation include a bustling harbor aredropping found inthroughout trawling lines the archipelago. and pulling upWe all watch manner pearl of divers fish to getting be to unimaginable depths with just a mask and even spot dolphins in some of the channels. inand East the Africa wee waterfront in 1888. post office with the German Postal Museum Lamu was known as a hippie hideaway in the 60s, when artists besideMany it – of a briefthe walled German streets settlement lead to established the peaceful, the pretty first posttown office square. A giant almond tree provides shade and an aura of calm, con- of the island is accessible to backpackers on a budget, but it has trasted by the towering Lamu Fort, bedecked with cannons built by alwaysflocked beenthere, a andsecluded it still getaway maintains for a the bohemian jet set. Thereputation. Rockefellers, Much Omanis in 1808. The National Museum is one of the best in Kenya and some Kennedys, the Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts and the Prince of gives context to the blending of cultures that creates Lamu’s one-of-a- Hanover have been regulars over the years. This crowd congregates kind feel. A visit to The Donkey Sanctuary is an interesting side-trip. at the shabby-chic Peponi Hotel for the pricey rambling bungalows, tucked-away pool and, most of all, its patio. Here, all worlds meet animals and advice to owners. They currently assist a staggering each evening to watch the sunset and drink some dawa, a refreshing 352,000The UK-based donkeys. charity administers veterinary care, shelter for abused local cocktail of vodka, lime and honey. For a testament to the melting pot of cultures co-existing on Despite upper-end accommodation, the Peponi has affordable meals, which can be enjoyed ocean-side while watching windsurfers ‘beach boys.’ The non-Muslim Kenyans tend to dominate the dhow whisking and wiping out in the cobalt blue water. Dusk ushers in mu- Lamu, head down to the beach and find a whole other world – the - sic and locals for low-key dancing, the atmosphere becoming as play- ing to reggae, smoking hashish and chatting up single female tourists. ful and sultry as the breezes coming off the ocean. We are looking for a title sponsor, fishing and snorkeling trip market, and hang out on their boats listen premium sponsors, a booth sponsor and booth owners.

Little has changed since 1370, when sailors from Oman began to ply these waters, establishing a Ticket Order Hotline: lucrative trade of slaves and spices. 8023 2199 Email [email protected]

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Yu Massage

Chinese saying goes, “winter diseases are cured in summer.” That couldn’t be truer. Following the basic principles of TCM theory, A the summer heat can help dispel the cold qi that gathers in our bodies during the winter months. Treatments that boost blood circula- tion and unlock energy levels are particularly good, as they let bad qi out and keep good yang in. Wanting to experience this theory in action, we tried hot stone therapy

to revisit its latest branch, just off People’s Square. Occupying the third and (RMB380) at one of our favorite spas, Yu Massage, and took the opportunity into, designed as it is with elegant Chinese elements and details. the fourthNow to floor the oftreatment. a quiet building, Made of the volcanic urban retreat rocks, ishot a pleasurestones are to supstep- posed to absorb the cold and wet qi in your body and enhance energy levels. As the piping pebbles were being heated in a boiling pot, our therapist kicked off the treatment by gently applying copious amounts of aroma oil on our limbs and back to relax us. She then fetched the 70-degree-Celsius stones, waited for them to cool down to an acceptable temperature and began rubbing them gently along the meridians on our

radiate a warm, soothing feeling across our whole body, making us feel everback. so A atbit peace. hot at the first touch, the therapeutic rocks soon started to WIN Several stones were left on the back to continue the transfer of heat, while the masseuse proceeded to work on our lower limbs following the We're offering a RMB400 spa voucher from Yu Massage forThat's Shanghai we couldn’t wait till the next time we’d treat ourselves to such a comforting readers. For a chance to win, add Thats_ therapy.same step. TFZ As the bad energies got flushed away, we felt so light-hearted Shanghai or scan our QR code right here.

// 199 Huangpi Bei Lu, by Weihai Lu 黄陂北路199号, 近威海路 (6315 2915) Rosewood Beijing

very once in a while, we all have to make a trip to our capital city. Some people Evisit to do business, others to check out Beijing’s top attractions or sample the best Peking duck you’re likely to ever have. The accommodation you choose will have a huge impact on your trip. If you want to hang with the hip crowd, indulge in some quality time and bunker up in style; Rosewood Beijing is where you’ll want to stay.

in China, a stunning 22-story building just across The from hotel the is iconic the brand’s CCTV firstTower. property Everything about the Rosewood makes somewhat of a cool, neat statement. The lobby’s tranquil interior is courtesy of out with a bath and rainforest shower, be- it is by a domed glass roof framed by exotic Melbourne-based BARstudio. Its neutral spoke amenities by Lorenzo Villoresi add a trees. palette creates a soothing backdrop for an touch of extra pampering. The drinking and dining outlets within impressive art collection that focuses on Guests looking for a full luxury treatment the hotel add to the overall hipness. Recently Beijing artists, through a vast array of paint- should make sure to check the Manor Club, an opened hot pot restaurant Red Bowl and Mei ings, photographs, mixed-media pieces and bar are indeed two of the city’s hottest new sculptures. Contemporary furnishings with that offers a tranquil atmosphere, plus compli- hangouts – so popular you’ll need to book traditional Chinese touches shine thoughout mentaryexclusive breakfast,executive loungelunch snacks, on the afternoonseventh floor tea in advance if you want to ensure a seat at the place. and evening cocktails, making it pretty hard to both. If you like the idea of staying in a cool Rooms are super-sleek, elegantly ap- ever wanting to leave the premises. designer crash pad with plenty of panache to pointed with art details, books and acces- And we haven’t mentioned the pool yet. sell, this is the hotel for you. MC sories – hello Nespresso coffee machine 830-square-meter wide, the heated pool is – - the closest thing to a tropical paradise you’re // Jing Guang Centre, Hujialou, Chaoyang District 朝阳区呼家 dows that grant stunning views of the Beijing 楼京广(www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/beijing) skyline. Frette In bed the linen bathroom, and floor-to-ceiling which comes kittedwin going to find in a city like Beijing, enclosed as 48 September 2015 / www.thatsmags.com www.thatsmags.com / September 2015 49