M Goods (pictured above)
M Goods is your best bet for a fashion house that captures arty cool with a modern spin, complete with funky accessories and hipper-than-thou design items. Opened by the founders of Sanlipop and the art gallery M Woods (the latter of which is just next door), this industrial, 50sqm space in 798 is a fusion of affordable international finds, both quirky and innovative. Each item – from the tableware to unusual storage solutions – is a conversation piece in its own right.
The owners are passionate design curators who handpick every object and don't let customs or distance stand in the way. This is the place to score pieces by Danish design pros Hay, or comic hero toys by Korean brand Momot. Things you don’t really need but are just way too fun to live without. A truly interesting addition to the city design scene, M Goods is, simply put, pretty rad.
10/10 Apothecary
Let's face it: Beijing gals (and guys) are still somewhat at a loss for beauty meccas. You can find top-notch nail art salons and excellent massage places but, besides the ubiquitous Sephora and Innisfree, solid beauty supply stores are still pretty hard to come by. Well, that was the case until Apothecary 10/10 opened shop in Taikoo Li South. A Taiwanese import, the sleek, bright emporium – which is beautifully designed with a glossy, spa-like interior – boasts an amazing edit of body must-haves and skincare essentials.
It currently stocks indie fragrances, candles and cosmetics brands – hello Eve Lom and The Laundress – as well as more 'famous' names like Diptyque, Malin + Goetz and Marvis. New brands – both niche and not-so-niche – are set to be introduced each month, making this a unique spot for beauty hoarders wanting to eschew Sephora's overwhelming selection of products. Most lines are higher-end, so expect to pay premium prices, but we firmly believe that anything going on your skin should be of the best quality. So in that sense, 10/10 Apothecary nails it.
Balmain x H&M
Another season, another designer/H&M collaboration hitting our high streets. This time, historic fashion house Balmain is teaming up with the Swedish retail giant. Known to blend couture spirit and streetwear attitude, the French brand owns a unique style that is equal parts opulent and direct, sensual and energetic. These traits are reflected in the collection, which, from the few campaign images released, shows sharp-shouldered jackets and military detailing. It’s good stuff, and under the leadership of the brand’s 29-year-old creative director Olivier Rousteing, it’s set to be a hit among those fans of the label who can’t afford the real thing. We're into the more simple pieces: the black leather backpack, the suede high-tops, that killer military coat for men and the ruched skirt and velvet jacket-dress for the ladies. A few pieces are uncannily similar to looks from Balmain’s autumn/winter collections from the last three years, which, again, is going to make many of us ‘commoners’ quite happy. Prices aren’t super purse-friendly. But hey, it’s Balmain baby. The line hits stores and H&M’s digital platforms on November 5. Prepare for the scrum.
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