'Style Radar' is our monthly look at the latest shopping arrivals and other fashion news in Beijing.
Hipster Everything: Fantasy Fanatic
With its psychedelic and bright pop aesthetic, we can’t get enough of Fantasy Fanatic, a label from London- and Beijing-based Zhang Liang (aka Ray). The graphic designer and illustrator plays with pop culture icons like David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Miley Cyrus to make tongue-in-cheek accessories and jewelry (RMB88-328). But he also pays homage to some of Beijing’s most instantly recognizable features, like the city’s dancing grannies sporting anti-pollution masks, which come as badges or plastered all over funky tote bags (RMB238). His use of prints is loud, joyful and hallucination-inducing – just check out his knee-high socks called Sweet Cloud (RMB108). We want it all.
www.zhangliangray.com, contact him at zhangyixian221323@hotmail.com.
Made in China: Mellow Yellow
Call us suckers, but we’ve always had a penchant for independent brands that offer small-batch, locally sourced products. We especially like ones that strive to be ethical and, through their own niche contributions, make a difference to our beloved consumerist world; hence why we now own a whole bunch of Yellow Pummelo beauty products. Launched by San Francisco-native Beijing transplant Victoria Kong, Yellow Pummelo is an all-natural skincare venture. Its ointments and lotions have been hand-blended using certified organic ingredients, and all are free of chemicals, fillers and preservatives. Kong, a homemade remedies fanatic, launched the brand after the lotion bars she made for herself started gaining popularity among friends and family. Soon enough, Yellow Pummelo branched out into face-repair concoctions, lip balms and cuticle oils, which work wonders in Beijing’s somewhat challenging weather (read: dry as fuck). Kong tests all products on herself first, and wraps them up in neat tin cases before sending them off to customers. In an industry – the beauty one, specifically – where going green means goes against the grain, and synthesised ingredients like petroleum are all too common, Yellow Pummelo is a brave, brave project. Plus, its products smell divine. We endorse it, and so should you.
Solid lotion bars are RMB100 each. For more products, checkwww.yellowpummelo.com or find Kong at local markets around town.
Under the Lens: Taylor Swift at Hong Kong Fashion Week
You might have heard that Taylor Swift has done a clothing line exclusively for her Chinese fans, in a bid to capitalize on her huge following here (and to counter the proliferation of fake Taylor Swift products flooding the market). The singer has partnered up with Nashville-based fashion company Heritage 66 to launch the brand, which can be found on Tmall and JD.com. The entire collection – a mix of spring and fall merchandise – is now officially out, having recently debuted at Hong Kong Fashion Week. The singer did not make the journey East for the event, but the show saw models show off crop tops (obvs), graphic tees, branded jumpers and mini-dresses emblazoned with Swift’s name to the sounds of hits like ‘Bad Blood,’ ‘Blank Space’ and ‘Shake it Off.’ It made fashion headlines worldwide, with many international retailers hoping the line will become available outside China. Looks like ‘Taylor wannabe’ might be the next big trend for spring.
Overheard
“He looks amazing in the pictures. Not everybody looks good in suits. But he’s got class.”
Photographer Ding Guoliang, who goes by the name Jesse, tells China Daily about his granddad Ding Bingcai, an 85-year-old retired farmer who was catapulted to fashion fame when his grandson photographed him in green, blue and mulberry suits, tartan bow ties, designer glasses and fedoras. Photographs of the octogenarian – who has survived famine, civil war and revolution – went viral last month, with Internet users appointing him “China’s coolest grandpa.” Jesse had the idea for the fashion shoot after his grandfather moved to Xiamen, where the photographer owns a studio. The pair spent three days shooting, sometimes wearing matching dapper outfits and adopting the same posture. The result is a series of striking images that pay tribute to Bingcai, while offering him as way to "feel useful,” Jesse says.
Have a new store opening or fashion line coming out? Send your tips to our Life/Style editor Marianna Cerini at mariannacerini@urbanatomy.com with the subject 'Style Radar.'
For past editions of Style Radar, click here.
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