Rechenberg Spring/Summer ’12 Runway Fashion Show

Presenting Rechenberg’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection (photography by Jennie Kang)

I first had the privilege of meeting courtier designer Kathrin von Rechenberg almost two years ago in an interview set up by 360fashion.net. It was a chance to sit down, face-to-face with Kathrin herself and gain a better understanding of the painstakingly meticulous detail that goes into each of her creations and the value of her signature fabric, tea silk. A rare and unique fabric, tea silk dates back to the Ming dynasty where the creation process alone is a 30-40 step process used with organic plant ingredients and uses nature’s very own water, sun, and sand to create it’s natural luster, that only becomes more beautiful with time. (Click here for LDS’s previous introduction of Rechenberg Fashion Line)

“Sublety and understatement are the hallmarks of Kathrin von Rechenberg’s style, combined with the technical excellence and meticulous attention to detail that are evident in every shaped, supple garment produced in her Beijing atelier.”

Originally from Munich, Kathrin von Rechenberg was trained under top Paris couturiers such as Jean-Louis Scherrer, Emanuelle Khan, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix, and Chanel.

Having her own label in Beijing for over a decade, Kathrin von Rechenberg most recently released her Spring/Summer 2012 Collection at the Residence of the Embassy of Luxembourg.

The Residence of the Embassy of Luxembourg

Rechenberg presented her latest couture Spring/Summer 2012 collection in the refined gardens of the charming Embassy residence. Her newest collection features “gossamer light” fabrics – stone-washed silk, blends of silk jersey with linen, transparent tea-silk organza and her trademark signature fabric, tea-silk.

“This collection is all about innovation. Directional seams, contrasted over-stitching and fine leather piping all find their place in the latest couture collection. The colour palette is rich in contrasts drawn from the earth and sky. Cinnamon and powder blue extend to shades of the desert…to bright Summery orange and cool blue.” - Rechenberg Spring/Summer 2012 Collection Press Release 

Rechenberg’s style is consistent throughout her collections and this most recent runway is no exception. Stylishly simple and elegant, her brand’s faithful followers will appreciate that this collection carries all the trademark signatures that define the Rechenberg brand.

Rechenberg Spring/Summer 2012 Runway Fashion Show:

(Photography courtesy of Jennie Kang)

Rechenberg’s Invited Guests & Friends (Center: Photographer Jennie Kang)

Visit Rechenberg at their studio to take a closer look at this new SS 2012 collection

Rechenberg Atelier Showroom (by appointment only):

• Address: Xinyuan Xili Dongjie (yard behind building no.12), Chaoyang  District, Beijing

• tel: 0086 10 64631788

• m: 0086 136 81294294

• Email: info@rechenberg.cn

Deal of a Century: candy&caviar Spring Showroom Sale

For one week only, candy&caviar is opening it’s showroom doors to the public for their biggest sample sale to date.

This is no April Fool’s prank. This is the real deal.

So why now?  With the weather warming up, Spring is finally upon us…which means – out with the old and in with the new!

For exactly one week - Saturday, March 31 to Friday, April 6, candy&caviar is ready and willing to clear out all previous collection’s sample pieces and many of these one-off pieces will be more than 50% off retail price.

Featuring pieces from both men and women’s collections, everything will be priced at 250, 350, 450, AND 550 RMB.

Here’s a taste of what will be on the sale racks -

candy&caviar women’s sample pieces:

candy&caviar men’s sample pieces:

Previous collections’ sample pieces aside, fashionites can also be the first to view and purchase new items from candy&caviar’s upcoming Spring 2013 collection and showroom exclusives.

Remember, this is first come, first serve!  To avoid unnecessary stress and possibly bloodshed (I fear cat fights will break out over these pieces), you should plan to be the first to come through her doors at 10:30AM SHARP on Saturday morning.

Don’t be late for this candy&caviar buffet or you’ll be left with nothing.

Happy Shopping!

candy&caviar Showroom Sale Details:

• Dates: Saturday, March 31-Friday, April 6, 2012
• Time: Daily 10:30AM-5:30PM
• Location: candy&caviar showroom
• Address:  北京市朝阳区建国路 89号华贸商务楼4号楼1905室, China Central Place, Building 4, Suite 1905 Beijing, China
• Tel: 5203-6581
• Website: www.candyandcaviar.com

LDS Hook-Up: Win a FREE Wear-and-Tear Bracelet!

Wear-and-Tear is an awesome accessories brand  collection I became acquainted with last year thanks to Beijing’s fashion queen Alice McInerney.

Now that she’s launched AnyShopStyle.cn, she’s got the inside scoop on the new spring collections by Hong Kong brand Wear-and-Tear.

“Building upon designer Cheung Lik’s iconic layering techniques, the latest looks merge a new fusion of hobo and urban aesthetics to the label’s signature handcrafted jewellery line by mismatching various contrasting elements and colours. Delicately embellished chains are interwoven with vibrant thread-work, metallic leather and multi-coloured nylon cords. Guaranteed to add edge to your springtime style.”                                          - Alice McInerney, founder of AnyShopStyle.cn

I love this new Blossom Binnen Bracelet and I’ll be trying to win this bracelet as well, but I figured I ought to share this awesome deal with my dear LDS readers.

Here’s how you can win it!

LDS HOOK-UP

Thanks to Alice McInerney, founder of AnyShopStyle.cn,  you can try for your chance to win a FREE Wear-and-Tear Blossom Binnen Bracelet from Lik’s latest collection made from plate brass and colourful red, gold and blue twisted cord.

Question: Where is designer Cheung Lik from? 

For a chance of winning, email your name, details and the correct answer to the following question to info@anyshopstyle.cn.

Deadline is Friday, March 30.  

AnyShopStyle.cn: Chinese New Year Shopping Treat

In the spirit of celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year, AnyShopStyle.cn is giving away RMB 200 to shop online with purchases of their featured designers’ collections.  Just type in the code “wSdaxN” and you get RMB 200 discount on any purchase!

 From Non-Season’s winter accessories to Wear-and-Tear’s “Knit Fever” collection, Luvon by Luliu’s capsule coat collection and candy&caviar’s Autumn/Winter collection, there’s a ton of great buys and with the promotion only running from January 20-31st, you better hurry while supplies last!

Shop Non-Season’s Winter Accessories on AnyShopStyle.cn

 Shop Xander Zhou on AnyShopStyle.cn

WUHAO’s Water Winter Installation Party

“Wood-Spring’s freshness in the Chinese garden,

Fire-Summer’s expansion to Dashilar,

Metal-Fall’s breath between Zhujia and Mao’er hutong

…Time for Water-Winter to feed the magical Earth.”

5 Elements – 4 Seasons – 1 HOUSE

This Saturday, December 10th from 3.30 pm onwards, experience the transformative power of water and MPMP’s first collection.

“Magnetic black, silicon dresses, blue men, precious hair and standing bones, reflecto games, sweet cashmere and honey phoenix will search the sky-pond for new pearls of wisdom.” – WUHAO, Curated Shop

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, December 10, 2011
• Time: Starts at 3:30PM
• Location: WUHAO Curated Shop
• Address: No. 35, Mao’er Hutong, Dongcheng District, 市东城区帽儿胡同35号 (see map below)
• Tel: 18911355035
• Website: www.wuhaoonline.com

AnyShopStyle.cn: BJ Design Week’s Winning T-Shirts

During Beijing’s Design Week last month, AnyWearStyle.com and Time Out Beijing hosted a‘Past & Present’ T-shirt Design Competition.

With the winners now picked, you can buy these winning designs (see below) exclusively at AnyShopStyle.cn for only RMB 150 each.

Happy Shopping!

LDS Top Pick: The “Change on the Wheel” Tote Bag (RMB 120)

Belita’s Holiday Jewelry Sale at Lily’s Antiques

The holidays are just around the corner (just a month away!) and as the saying goes – early birds catch the worm, it’s never a bad idea to get your Christmas shopping done early!

Here’s your chance to stock up on Belita’s beautiful jewelry as they are hosting a “Fashion Day Jewelry Sale” at Lily’s Antiques. Featuring make-overs by Eric Paris Salon and wine and snacks, here’s your chance to make a fun shopping day at Lily’s with Belita Jewelry.

Event Details below -

About Belita Jewelry:

Belita Jewelry by Liza M., a stylish, high quality collection comprised of attainable luxury pieces.  Belita Jewelry is handmade, artisan jewelry, crafted from sterling silver, plated in gold, platinum, and rhodium finished with an assortment of semi-precious gemstones and pearls from around the world. Belita Jewelry offers a full range of chic and elegant pieces.

See their website for more information: www.Belitajewelry.com

Fashionista Awards 2011: Cheer on BJ’s Fashionistas

I still remember MY Fashionista Photo Shoot like it was yesterday, except that it was TWO years ago!  Incredible how time flies in Beijing…

My title has long passed as one of Beijing’s Fashionistas, but the line of Meili Autumn‘s celebrated fashionistas continue strong. From the bright and preppy to the dark and edgy, each Fashionista’s style is unique and bold.

With 25 Fashionistas from 2010-2011, come out to cheer on and vote for your favorite CW Fashionistas as they strut the catwalk and compete for “Fashionista of the Year” this Saturday, November 12 at the glamorous R Lounge of the Renaissance Beijing Capital Hotel (in ShuangJing).

“Come dressed for the red carpet and have an awesome night with your fun, fabulous, fellow fashionistas.” - Meili Autumn, Premiere Make-Up Artist & CityWeekend’s Fashionista Creator

With DJ Chozie in full effect, tunes should be perfectly suitable for Fashionistas to be in full form and the keep the dance floor rocking.

RMB 100 ticket at the door gets you 2 drinks + entrance to the fashion show walk off that happens at 9:00 SHARP and come show Beijing’s top fashionistas some love.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, November 12
• Time: 8:30PM-12:30AM *Fashion Show starts at 9PM SHARP!
• Location: R Lounge (Renaissance Hotel)
• Address:  61号 E. 3rd Ring Road Middle Chaoyang
• Ticket: RMB 100 (includes 2 drinks)

candy&caviar: New Webstore Exclusives Online

Trick or Treat you ask?

candy&caviar is treating ALL LDS Readers to BUY-ONE-GET-ONE-FREE COUPON to the launch of their new webstore exclusives!

Coupon Code: C&CLOVESLDS

Coupon valid until end of November 2011.

I swear this is NOT a trick.  Just see for yourself – CLICK HERE TO VIEW CANDY&CAVIAR’S NEW WEBSTORE EXCLUSIVES. (*Note: coupon only applies to new webstore exclusives and make sure to click “APPLY CODE” at the end of your order.)

Introducing candy&caviar’s new webstore exclusives at their online store.

Click here to watch video on Vimeo (if you are watching from outside of China).

Check out candy&caviar’s new men’s pieces here:

Some of LDS’s Top Picks:

The Robbie Beanie (Grey) and Kennedy Flannel Shirt (Grey/Purple)

Turner Shirt (Blue/Grey)

Kennedy Flannel Shirt (Blue/Red):

candy&caviar Showroom Address:

北京市朝阳区建国路 89号华贸商务楼4号楼1905室

China Central Place, Building 4, Suite 1905 Beijing, China

www.candyandcaviar.com

candy&caviar is Pure Genius

“…For Best Results Dry Clean or Just Savor the Sweet Smell of Your Sweat and Never Wash this Piece of Art.”

“100% Cashmere. Do Not Wash the Sweetness Away”

candy&caviar essentially is a brilliant piece of art – every article, every collection, every season.

I really couldn’t say it better myself.

Entirely unique, this fashion label is exploding with personality and I’ve got to admit that their recent turn from dark and serious to sarcastic, outlandish humor is a nice change of pace.

Currently revamping and updating their web store, soon candy&caviar’s fanatics can soon put an end to their wait and finally buy, touch, wear, display “the real deal”. Stay tuned for website exclusives and coupon codes.

Well done, candy&caviar.  You are like a dream come true.

Unlimited Delicious: A Fresh Perspective

 My good friend Jeremy Huff has recently launched his very own t-shirt brand, Unlimited Delicious featuring fresh-concept, Chinese language t-shirts that are comfortable, playful and make life that much more enjoyable.

“We are a company founded on the principle that life is perspective, and a life taken too seriously is a life not enjoyed.  We make t-shirts with simple designs that seek to challenge the assumptions embedded in the language that surrounds us everyday.  We are neither revolutionary nor political.  We just think that comfortable t-shirts with cool, funny and sometimes slightly irreverent designs on them make everyone’s life a little better.”  - Jeremy Huff, Founder of Unlimited Delicious

If you want to purchase their shirts off their international site here, then you can use this discount code for US$5 off – WXMWGOS.

If you are based in China, you should click on their China Taobao site here.

To sign yourself up for updates on new t-shirts as they come out, join their mailing list by emailing Jeremy directly at wuxianmeiwei@gmail.com.

BJ Design Week: Do the ‘Design Hop’ on Dashilar Alley

An incredibly interesting and historic street lined with various shops, restaurants and cafes, Dashilar Alley is currently featuring 20 different exhibitions and events from around the world.

“This is all a part of an effort to bring a renewed public awareness to Dashilar that, it is hoped, will help transform the area in a more sensitive, organic way. The aim is to attract Beijing’s creative community to the neighborhood while respecting, and engaging with, the local community population, historic urban fabric and rich layering of existing buildings.”

Many of these exhibitions have taken over vacant storefronts and other spaces are taken over by temporary artist installations and cafes, alongside pop-up shops from leading brands and independent boutiques.

Two of my favorite spaces in Dashilar Alley include: Wuhao Curated Design and Fashion Shop’s temporary take-over of an old brothel turned teahouse (located on Zhujia Hutong Alley) and also the former electrical relay factory showcasing various young talents from China and abroad (FEI Space with exclusive pop-up collaboration of Topshop and Topman collections, AnyShopStyle.com launching with London-based Chinese designer Yang Du and designers Ran and Manchit Au), with live music and entertainment throughout.

FEI Space: Featuring Topshop & Topman

AnyShopStyle.com Launch with Designer Yang Du

candy&caviar on AnyShopStyle.com

Tonight (Saturday, Oct. 1) is Time Out’s Readers’ Party featuring live hip-hop, pop-up photography, art and video installations and 5RMB beers courtesy of Rickshaw Roasters Cafe.

Take a LumDimSum Tour of Dashitar Alley’s Design Hop:

Dashilar Alley Lined with Exhibitions and Events

Introducing Nicholas Hanna’s Water Calligraphy Device:

Inspired by the Chinese custom of writing calligraphy in public spaces, this flat-bead tricycle is a ubiquitous form of transportation in Beijing that releases droplets of water, deposited in patterns to form Chinese characters. INCREDIBLE.

Chinese actress Zhou Xun created this exhibition with Design Week’s curator Aric Chen.  One of my favorite bits of The Factory, it’s a wonderful snapshot of life in Dashilan over the last century, explained through every day objects (colorful art sponsored by Diesel).

.

WUHAO @ The Teahouse:

Wuhao and Tranquil Tuesdays’ pop up teahouse is housed in a derelict brothel on Zhujia Hutong (off Dashilar Xijie), that hasn’t been used  for 100 years. An amazing space and a great place to sip tea while browsing through beautiful clothing, accessories and furniture designs.

For all you foodies who might be wondering where to eat, I hear the homemade tacos are a must-try at the Kupa Studio’s pop-up cafe/bar. The same designers of Susu, Apothecary, etc. are sure to impress with both drinks and snacks!  Unfortunately, I missed out on these tacos as we arrived a bit late and ended up eating at another popular restaurant called Wonderwater Cafe, a conceptual takeover of a local restaurant encouraging diners to consider their “water footprint” when ordering food.  We tried to follow their advice and order more veggies and less “water-consuming” dishes, but the restaurant was entirely sold out of all greens!  I guess diners really were considering their water footprint at this cafe!

LDS Links:

Check out more information on Dashilar Alley’s Design Hop by clicking here - 

• Time Out Beijing’s Fashion Pop-Up
• WUHAO @ The Teahouse
• Dashilar Alley on Weibo
• AnyShopStyle.com
• Beijing Design Week Website
• Kupa Studio’s Pop-Up Cafe/Bar

Happy Hopping at Dashilar Alley!

Ermenegildo Zegna Celebrates 20 Years in China

Sept. 26-Oct.3: Beijing Design Week 2011

“To consider design is to consider the world and almost everything in it.  Designers can illuminate the soul and explore why we act the way we do.” – James Wilkinson, Time Out Beijing

During Beijing Design Week, there is a whole lot going on.  There isn’t quite a published schedule of events yet, but you can be sure to get the following:

• More than 130 different activities will be launched
• More than 30 international events
• Over 90 Chinese exhibitions
• Festival venues include about 100 design landmarks in Beijing, such as Tsinghua University, Yonghe Park, China Design Market, Dashilar, 751D•PARK, and Sanlitun Village
• More than 60 famous brands will be involved
• 800 international designers will be coming to Beijing

There are things going on all over the city, but a highlight is definitely Time Out Beijing’s Fashion Pop-up Shop.

Time Out Fashion Pop-Up Shop Features:

1. Beijing Past & Present Design Competition limited edition gift shop

2. Time Out Beijing (Chinese version) fashion photography exhibition

3. Time Out Beijing fashion expert talks at the Rickshaw Roasters Café area

4. Launch of online fashion boutique AnyShopStyle.com

5. Showroom of Dongliang Studio’s new A/W ‘11 collections

6. Exclusive China launch of UK retail giant Topshop and showcase of further Topman collections, in collaboration with FEI Space

7. Time Out Beijing Readers’ Party on Saturday 1 October

Check out Time Out Beijing for the inside scoop on what-not-to-miss this week here.

Beijing Design Week Info:

• Dates: September 26 – October 3
• Beijing Design Week Organizing Committee Contact Details:
  • Address: 13th Floor, Block A, Gehua Tower, No.1 Qinglong Hutong, Dongcheng District
  • Tel: 010-84186996
  • Email: info@bjdw.org
  • Website: www.bjdw.org

Fashion Frenzy: AnyWearStyle.com has Launched!

“We’re dedicated to bringing you the hottest local fashion and design from China with an international perspective. Global fashion insiders from Paris, Milan, London and New York are also waiting to share with you the very latest news and trends.”

A new China-centric fashion website AnyWearStyle.com has just launched and it’s focus is “cutting-edge, emerging designers alongside up-to-the-minute insights into the burgeoning mainland market”.

If you are a fashion designer, boutique owner or just a fashion fanatic, you’ll want to subscribe to AnyWearStyle.com for the inside-scoop!

Follow their news on Weibo @AnyWearStyle and Twitter @AnyWearStyle.

ANYWEARSTYLE Trend Report: New York Fashion Week

AnyWearStyle.com is also launching its online boutique AnyShopStyle.com exclusively at Time Out Beijing’s fashion pop-up shop (part of Beijing Design Week) where they will be sharing a retro industrial space with the city’s best names in shopping and style.

To kick off proceedings, it has brought the latest collection from London-based surrealist designer Yang Du.

As well as ogling Yang’s zany designs, you will also have the opportunity to order a large selection of other designers’ clothes including one of my all-time favorite fashion labels - candy&caviar from the online store, AnyShopStyle.com.