SUMO TIME: Hatsune’s 10 Year Party + Costume Ideas

I think it’s safe to say that everyone is fascinated by sumo wrestling.  Essentially, sumo fighters are massive, monster Japanese men tackling each other wearing giant diapers…which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

As much as I would love to get professional sumo wrestlers to perform their swift moves at Hatsune’s 10 Year Anniversary Party, I have to settle for the next best thing: ordering both blow-up and cushion sumo suits for us to battle/bounce off of one another!  Not quite as cool as the real deal, but should still be brilliant fun.

This Thursday, August 4, Hatsune will be hosting a monumental 10 year birthday party in its Sanlitun Village branch and we welcome all sushi friends and fans to join us!  We will be providing plenty of sushi, sake, cocktails and cake and throughout the night, DJ Patrick Yu will be in high-demand playing his much loved old skool tracks and Hatsune will be hosting plenty of fun activities including sumo wrestling and a deadly wasabi challenge for brave souls who dare to try for their chance to win a Hatsune voucher for RMB 1,000!  If you or any of your friends are interested in participating in Hatsune’s Wasabi Challenge, we will have a sign-up at the door.

Now, Hatsune has got the sushi, sake, DJ, sumo suits and wasabi covered so all we ask is that everyone gets in the spirit by dressing up – anything goes as long as it’s Japanese!

For creative inspiration, I have put together a visual list of costume ideas for you to consider:

The Obvious Costume Ideas (Traditional Japanese Kimono & Geisha Face):

If you’re feeling lazy, a last resort is to just throw on a robe and stick some chopsticks in your hair – easy peasey!

Another Easy Option- Just wear black and be a Ninja:

You could be a little more “modern” and dress up as a Japanese School Girl:

Step it up a notch and be one of Gwen’s Harajuku Girls:

Japanese Anime is pretty “out-there” too:

If you choose to do Japanese Anime, at least get the blue Elvis hair like this guy.

Kill Bill’s Crazy 88′s (a notch up from both standard ninja and Japanese School Girl because they are “crazy”):

Some Very Random Costume Ideas (still holding onto our Japanese theme – I found some pretty wacky stuff on the internet):

And one of my favorites: A Giant Pikachu!

The ultimate costume in my opinion:  A SUMO Wrestler aka you show up wearing nothing but a giant diaper:

To get you in the “Hatsune party mood”, here are some more inspirational sumo maneuvers I plan to master and display in full force this Thursday, August 4:

1.  SUMO Neck Chop:

2.  SUMO Leap Frog:

3. SUMO Double Cartwheel:

In case you happened to miss my very amateur try at poetry, here’s all you will need to know regarding Hatsune’s 10 Year Party summed up into a few stanzas:

On Thursday, the fourth of August,
Hatsune will be anything but modest.

As we get ready to celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary,
We invite all our dear sushi friends, fans and even our adversaries
To join in a celebration of epic proportions
Where sushi, sake and cocktails will be generously apportioned.

All we ask is from you is to get in the spirit of dressing in Japanese theme
Anything goes as long as it’s extreme.
From samurai swords, kimono robes and geisha white faces
To Gwen’s Harajuku girls and anime hair, we can cover all the bases.

DJ Patrick Yu will be back on the attack,
Playing some killer old school tracks.
We will have sumo suits for all to battle and take revenge
And we dare you to sign up for our deadly wasabi challenge!

After 10 years of sake insanity and serious sushi gluttony,
We want to thank you for all the many precious memories!
Here’s to you, to 10 Sensational Years and for being a part of the dream!
With Love, The Hatsune Team

Casa Pagoda Presents Belita’s Summer 2011 Collection

This Saturday, July 16 2011, Casa Pagoda will be featuring Belita Jewelry’s 2011 Summer collection.

Enjoy a day of shopping, wine and hor d’oeuvres in Belita’s jewelry store just north of Sanlitun Village (below Eric Paris Hair Salon) from 12PM-8PM.

Check out LumDimSum’s Review of Belita’s Grand Opening Party here.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 16 July 2011
• Time: 12-8PM
• Location: Belita Jewelry Store
• Address:  Just below Eric Paris Hair Salon just north of Sanlitun Village - 北京市朝阳区三里屯北街南43号楼（巴黎爱丽克美发沙龙一层）
• Tel: 157 1112 8542
• RSVP: contact@belitajewelry.com

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

Introducing candy&caviar’s SS12 Collection

TA-DAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

candy&caviar’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection aka The Holy Grail of Fabulous Fashion has been completed!!

(and LumDimSum is very proud to have exclusive previewing rights!)

Inspired by The American Classic, candy&caviar combines American retro and street chic for Spring 2012 to produce a collection that is impeccably tailored and down-right fantabulous (it’s so friggin’ awesome, I have no choice but to create my own vocabulary to describe this spectacular collection).

LDS Top Picks of candy&caviar’s SS 2012 Collection:

Bruce: Black Hooded Windbreaker with Jackson: Grey Linen Shorts

Trey: Grey Cotton Knit with Bradford: Ivory Tweed Blazer and Palmer: Ivory Tweed Cuffed Shorts

Andreas: Blue Checkered Button-Down with Joshua: Black Buttoned Knit

…if you think this is impressive, just wait til you get to see the entire collection!

Rumor on the Street:

candy&caviar is working on putting together a sweet little celebration in their showroom mid-July featuring a exclusively-made summer pieces not available for purchase elsewhere.

Stay tuned for details soon to come!!

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

AFF 2011: Erdem’s Psychedelic A/W 2011 Collection

“Inspired by the likes of Jackson Pollack and Cy Twombley, artists whose wives were strongly influential in their work and lives, Erdem takes his collection to a level of sophistication and dark maturity.”

With several accolades under his belt including the prestigious British Fashion Council Fashion Fund award, Royal College of Art graduate Erdem Moralioglu‘s unique use of print has been widely celebrated by fashion insiders.  His ability to incorporate graphics effortlessly into each collection makes each piece both whimsical and unique.

Based in London, this Canadian designer is known for his signature graphics and this collection features intricate lace work and “psychedelic prints”.  Part of the impressive line-up of international designers featured at this year’s Singapore Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX)’s Audi Fashion Festival, Erdem showcased his newest A/W 2011 collection.

Described as “fragile with dishevelled sex appeal”, Erdem’s newest Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection sees a vibrant palette of greens and blues dripping with fuchsias and reds.  Known for his graphic prints, Erdem’s signature flair for merging prints, fabrics and textures is prominent in this new collection.

“Elegantly slim and cut close to the body, Autumn Winter 2011 is modestly provocative.  Dress hemlines drop to fall mid-calf, plunging necklines and deep open backs replace the crew-neck looks of spring. Spaghetti straps and dresses split to the thigh are suggestive of a sense of undress. Mixing evening-wear and day-wear in random contrast, printed stretch cotton skirts are paired with button-down shirts and chunky cable knit sweaters while a floor length silk column skirt is combined with a chiffon blouse with printed sequins. Meanwhile velvet and silk chiffon evening dresses, bound at the waist, flow effortlessly.”

Meeting Erdem Backstage Hours before his Show:

Erdem Interview with Tian Yuan from Top Fashion TV 第一时尚

Erdem with Joanna and Jezy from Vogue TV China

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Erdem Show Reception Party:

Vogue TV China interviews Audi Fashion Festival Chairman Dick Lee

Erdem Autumn Winter 2011 Runway Show:

Erdem takes a well-deserved final bow!

Related Articles:

• Meet the Face of AFF: Supermodel Tao Okamoto
• Italian Fashion House Missoni Family: Meet the Missonis: AFF Opening Show

*Stay tuned for more to come from Singapore’s AFX Fashion Week events…with Audi Fashion Festival Shows Antonio Berardi, Tiffany & Co., and Ungaro just to name a few.

Meet the Missonis: Audi Fashion Festival’s Opening Show

The Missoni Family (from L to R): Margherita, Angela & Vittorio Missoni

The openers for Singapore Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX)’s Audi Fashion Festival, the Italian fashion icon – Missoni came into town with the whole family – Angela, Vittorio and Margherita all made a personal appearance to present their A/W 2011 creations.

Media were the first to meet the trio as they introduced themselves, their family empire’s fashion history, inspirations and influences in their most recent collection designs and their visions for the label’s direction within the family.  With introductions by Colin McDowell, the family articulately answered questions by the media regarding each of their responsibilities, their role and growth within the company, passion for the fashion industry and aspirations for the future of the Missoni brand touching on the importance of social media and brand identity.

“A quirky explosion of riotous patterns and bold brights, knitwear has never been the same since Missoni entered the scene in 1953.”

Creative director Angela Missoni and her daughter, Margherita stole the show with their shining personalities and signature “like mother, like daughter” smiles.

They describe their newest collection as “dreamy, languid, enchanting fairytale creatures” featuring “long and lean silhouettes, fluid silk velvet and featherweight crepon far to-the-floor skirts and dresses mixed with cozy men’s pullovers and reversible jackets”.

LumDimSum Snapshots of the Audi Fashion Festival Press Conference with Missoni:

LumDimSum Snapshots of Missoni Show Reception Party:

Missoni A/W Collection Fashion Show:

The Missoni A/W Fashion Show opened and closed with Japanese supermodel Tao Okamoto.  See here for LDS article with catwalk darling Tao Okamoto.

“Pastel toned dreamlike shades, life painted in watercolours. Pink elephants, embroideries and gigantic bouquets. Canary yellow, pink cotton candy, aquamarine and stardust lilac magically fade in ultra-soft knitwear.”

LumDimSum Snapshots of Missoni Backstage & Post-Show:

*Stay tuned for more to come from Singapore’s AFX Fashion Week events…with Audi Fashion Festival Shows Erdem, Tiffany & Co., Antonio Berardi and Ungaro just to name a few.

Rags to Riches: 1 Day Pop-Up Boutique Marketplace

For one day only, a pop-up boutique marketplace in a little hutong courtyard by Yugongyishan will be featuring racks and racks of vintage, second-hand, and ready-for-a-new-home clothing.

Additional Bonuses:

• Everyone can enjoy a ’Spring Bar’ serving up sangria, mojitos and mint juleps all day for RMB 10 – RMB 15
• Music by DJ OK
• Nathan Zhang and Brandnu’s new fashion line UPCYCLE – beautiful pieces re-using vintage fabrics and created by a handful of designers.
• Sun and Fun!

All proceeds raised during this event will be going to support brandnu and it’s development projects working with migrant women.

“Brand Nu, the first charity shop of its kind in Beijing (more info here: http://bit.ly/iCbwCU and here: http://bit.ly/iEwiGT), is facing serious repercussions if it cannot pay 2 years advance rent for its Wudaoying space by mid-June 2011.”

Any clothing not sold will also go back to Brand Nu for re-design and re-sale or directly to women in rural areas.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, May 22
• Time: 2PM-6PM
• Location: Hutong Gourtyard
• Address: 1 Shiqiao Hutong (big red door) which comes directly off Dongsi Batiao (east entrance on Chaonei Beixiaojie), Dongcheng, Beijing. 北京市东城区朝内北小街东四八条东口石桥胡同1号

• Contact: sophia.mckinnon@googlemail.com

Meeting the Face of AFF: Supermodel Tao Okamoto

“Known for her mile-long legs and arresting eyes, catwalk darling Tao Okamoto is the face to open for the Missoni A/W 2011 show.”

Just a few hours before Audi Fashion Festival (AFF)’s opening show with Italian fashion house Missoni, LumDimSum met with Ms. Tao Okamoto – the fashion festival’s star model and one of Asia’s top models.

Only 24 years old, Tao Okamoto is a Tokyo native who made her debut in the S/S 2006 Emanuel Ungaro show in Paris and is now one of the most in-demand faces in fashion – she’s been on the cover of Japanese, American and French Vogue, fronted campaigns for Zac Posen and Ralph Lauren and has opened and closed for Marc Jacobs, Antonio Berardi, Vera Wang and Philip Lim.

Elegant and beautiful, Tao’s demeanor was both graceful and delicate in person and so much so, that it was almost unexpected to see the trasformation of her style as she walked Missoni’s fashion runway with such intense focus and strength. She has such a tall and slender figure and perfect, luminous skin, it’s no wonder she’s shot to the top of the fashion world.  She was absolutely stunning in person with a kind and soft personality to match.

Tao Okamoto interviewing with China’s Top Fashion TV host, Tian Yuan and Indonesian Cosmopolitan editor

The Faces of Japanese Supermodel Tao Okamoto:

So even with 4 inch heels, Tao still towers over me…just one of many reasons why Tao is one of the world’s top supermodels.

*Stay tuned for Missoni’s Opening Show for Audi Fashion Festival (AFF).

Audi Fashion Festival (AFF) is one of four main pillar events of Singapore’s Asia Fashion Exchange (AFX) Fashion Week.

LumDimSummary MTV PUSH & CK ONE: Fly Like a G6

LDS Snapshots: VW Pecha Kucha at Sanlitun Orange

Packed inside with a line out the door, I quickly popped in to check out the VW Pecha Kucha Event at Sanlitun Orange on Saturday afternoon.

In the theme of “Future & Mobility”, the event featured 12 Speakers who each presented 20 slides x 20 seconds each.

I’ve taken a few snapshots to give you a glimpse into the event, but to be honest, the weather was just too good outside to stay indoors!

LumDimSum Snapshots of VW Pecha Kucha Event at Sanlitun Village Orange Space:

My Favorite Pick for a VW Mobile

Future Mobility: Pecha Kucha Beijing Volume No.17

Pecha Kucha’s Sole Purpose: To Make You Wiser Than You Already Are

This Saturday, May 7, 2011, Pecha Kucha will be introducing 12 specialists and creative people from various fields reaching from the Automotive Industry, Education, Literature and Science to Architecture and the Arts to each explore the future of their fields and the future of mobility in China.

Originally devised in Tokyo, PechaKucha is a global yet local non-profit discussion platform that exists to host events for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.  Since it’s inception in 2003, this event has since expanded into hundreds of cities around the world, “inspiring creatives worldwide”.

“Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of conversation (“chit chat”), it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds. It’s a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.”

In their 17th event in Beijing, Pecha Kucha’s “Future & Mobility” event will invite the following 12 Speakers to present 20 slides x 20 seconds each:

Christoph Klemmt Architect Or Project

Cory Grenier Marketing Director Lenovo

Matthew Niederhauser Photographer

Georg Jansen Lecturer

Sathoshi Ohashi Chief Architect Zaha Hadid Architects

Huan Chen Chief Editor Top Gear Magazine

Georg Warga Chief Designer Volkswagen

Miriam Deller Director Corepower Asia

Zhang Yiqing Consultant Linya International Ltd

Nels Frye Chief Editor Life Style Magazine

Wil Manning Art Director G2 Studio

Niko de La Faye Artist

Phil Tinari Chief Editor Leap Magazine

Tian Shen Professor Beijing University

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, May 7
  
• Time: 5:00PM-8:00PM
• Location: The Orange (Sanlitun Village)
  
• Address: 三里屯Village橙色大厅（大屏幕下面）
• Contact: Email Nicky Meng at nicky7boy@sogou.com  or phone at 86+ 134 2618 7732

Make Me Beautiful: candy&caviar Women’s FW 2011

Using beautiful merino wool and 100% wool fabrics together with form-flattering cuts, candy&caviar’s FW Women’s collection is stunning to say the least.

A mixture of high culture and street style, here are a handful of my top picks from this collection -

Dawson Sweater Top / Veronika Dress / Hayden Grey Hoodie

Paige Skirt / Hayden Black Hoodie Dress / Paulina Dress

See candy&caviar’s full FW 2011 Women’s Collection here.

candy&caviar’s FW Women’s 2011 Ad Campaign:

*Click here to watch video on Vimeo (if you are outside of China)

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

Join the Effort to Save Brandnü with Gungho! Pizza

Brandnu (Wudaoying Hutong No 61 West) is a Beijing-based store and artisan network that connects the energy of young urban designers with the age-old traditions of Chinese craftsmanship. Their shop collects clothes, books, and unwanted goods to be sold, recycled and reused, with all profits directly benefiting rural women in China. They also stock handicrafts from various NGO supported projects as a means to both introduce traditional arts and to enable rural women to be economically independent.

A great store and business concept that is doing its part to make a difference, brandnü faces losing its store at Wudaoying Hutong unless it can pay up-front for 2 years rent (RMB 84,000!) by June 15, 2011.

As part of a fundraising effort to ‘save brandnü’, Gungho! Pizza will be joining them in the biggest pizza party of the season together with a special preview of their new (re)cycled, (re)designed, and (re)fashioned line: Yi+Yi.

Event details:

• Date: Sunday, May 1
• Time: Noon till pizza runs out
• Location: Brandnü Store
• Address: Wudaoying Hutong No 61 West
• Contact: Nathan Zhang，Email brandnuproject@gmail.com，Tel: +86 15011153421

85 Broads: ‘The World of Fashion’ Progressive Dinner

The Beijing Chapter of 85 Broads is hosting an inspiring night of fashion within the splendid private dining residence of 92 Nanchizi this coming Tuesday, April 26 starting at 6:30PM.

85 Broads’ Progressive Dinners are ‘anchored’ by senior women who are leaders in their respective industries and have an interest in mentoring young talent.

85 Broads is an exclusive global women’s network inspiring, empowering, and connecting smart women worldwide.

This month’s progressive dinner will be giving guests a glimpse into the beautiful and fascinating world of fashion.

“It’s spring and as the seasons change, so must the world of fashion. We invite you to experience the whims and stories of our fabulous women in fashion. Inspiring us for the evening…”

Join 85 Broads for an engaging progressive dinner introducing three amazing women who ‘blaze their life adventures in style’ -

• Joanna Riley Weidenmiller — From decorated athlete to the F.B.I then marketing extraordinaire to professional model in China. Joanna blazes her way through life, finding adventure and expressing herself stylistically all the while. Featured on LadyBrilleMag, Ms. Weidenmiller is CMO and partner of 360fashion.net, a network of high-level fashion professionals using the latest web 2.0 and mobile technology to market their brands. Her focus and mission is to increase exposure, revenues and monetization for the leading brands as they go global. http://360fashion.net
• Lu Liu — Leaving home at 16 to explore the world, she gained her unique perspective growing up between an artistic family in China and a boarding school in the Leysin, Switzerland. Since fashion had always been an interest she went to Paris, France, and studied to become a fashion designer. After two years there, she went to New York, and graduated from Parsons School of Design in May 2006 with a Gold Thimble Award. She has dressed  P Diddy,  Rihanna, and graced the cover of Vogue magazine numerous times. Ms. Liu is one of the first Chinese fashion designers to open her own store with a ready-to-wear collection. http://lu1228.com/
• Elisabeth Koch — Always having been a head-wear fanatic, Elisabeth started her own vintage Collection Privée as a teenager. This led her to attend the renowned Wombourne School of Millinery in the UK. After graduation, she set up Elisabeth Koch Millinery in order to realise the hats in her sketchbooks. Ms. Koch has been featured in top fashion magus from Harper’s Bazaar to Vogue and her flair has dressed the British princess to be, Kate Middleton. http://www.elisabethkoch.net

Hosted in a beautiful courtyard on the east bank of the Forbidden Palace, enjoy a memorable private dinner within walls of splendid culture with a royal past.

“Once home home to Duoergun Regent 400 years ago, today this royal residence is a hidden gem used for private dining and exclusive events. 85 Broads Beijing Chapter members and guests will enjoy a night of inspiring style and dine next to a 500-year old Beijing city wall, upon which the courtyard was built. Please join us for this unique night in fashion and history.”

Event Details:

• Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
• Time: 6:30- Registration, 7:30 – Dinner
• Location: 92 Nanchizi
• Address: 92号 Nanchizi, Dongcheng,Beijing  南池子大街92号（由普渡寺前巷入)
• Tel:+86 138 0104 2177
• Cost: RMB 200 85 Broads Members / RMB 285 Non-Members  (advance purchase at Kocoon Spa or CC Sweets) Door: RMB 250 Members/RMB 335 Non-Members
• RSVP: Email: Beijing85Broads@gmail.com
• Website: 85Broads.com

85 Broads is an exclusive global women’s network inspiring, empowering, and connecting smart women worldwide.

A global network of 25,000 trailblazing women, the “founding members” of 85 Broads were women who worked for Goldman Sachs at 85 Broad Street, the investment banking firm’s former NYC headquarters. Over the past decade, 85 Broads expanded its membership to include women who are alumnae and students of the world’s leading colleges, universities, and graduate schools worldwide. Our members are located in 82 countries around the world and work for thousands of for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations.

From Burberry to Hit FM: Keane Kills It in Beijing TWICE

After performing at the massively talked about, high-tech private Burberry fashion event last Wednesday night, Keane then performed for a second live music performance just a few days later at a much larger private party for Hit FM’s 8th birthday party at Tango on Saturday night.

With crazy raving reviews for shows, you can catch video clips of their star performance on both youtube and youku online.

One Pretty Badass Collection: candy&caviar FW 2011

LumDimSum gets you an exclusive sneak peak of candy&caviar’s newest FW 2011 Women’s collection.

Sharp and tasteful, candy&caviar’s FW 2011 Collection is an absolute explosion of creative fabric combinations and meticulous design details.

Cut from the same high-quality fabrics, both the newest women’s and men’s candy&caviar collections share a common feature of bold, striking pieces from their signature hooded outerwear jackets and blazers to fitted sweaters and pants for one overall badass collection.

Full complete FW 2011 Men’s, check out link here.  Stand-outs include 100% wool double-layer peacoat, 100% merino wool hoodies and a recreation of candy&caviar’s signature hooded blazer.

candy&caviar’s women’s collection is due to be released later this week and expect nothing less of awesomeness.