In this article for Foreign Policy, I mourn the passing of the nerd glasses from the faces of China’s leaders. It is the end of an era.
Author: stylites
Nels Frye is a freelance writer, photographer, consultant and stylist, based in Beijing. Focuses are on street style, other consumer trends, and broader social issues.
By the Ducts
Pipes and ducts are the best thing about Beijing’s 798.
Design Students
This slightly intimidating duo is studying fashion design.
From China Fashion Week
Here are some more photos of people waiting around before shows at Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week.
By the Tanks
This photographer and stylist was out in full grandeur by the various contraptions at 798 during fashion week.
The Front Row at Simon Gao
Well-known actor Li Chen is wearing a suit from the same collection of Simon Gao that he was watching from the front row. The material is 100% silk and the pattern is something of a polka dot, though I am looking forward to having the opportunity to see it up close in the workshop.
The presence of Simon Gao on the Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week schedule was notable because have not previously been younger, hipper designers represented at the event. The tendency had been for figures like Xander Zhou, Zhang Chi, Vega Wang, etc. to do their own events off-location either during the Week or at other times of the year. Most of the designers that show at China’s premier fashion week are from larger and inevitably far dowdier brands, design schools, or just people who seem to have really good connections with government.
Outside Simon Gao Show
This design student was outside of the Simon Gao show. I am trying to remember the name of that pattern that is on his shirt. I suppose it wouldn’t be categorized as some kind of Arabesque.
On Comments
As some of you may have noticed, comments are off on the blog. This is not because I don’t want them or due to trolls. The problem now is that there is some kind of spamming issue that keeps causing my site to go down when comments are allowed. So far, we have not figured out how to rectify this problem, but we will try to as soon as possible and keep you updated.
At Joyce
Designer and personal shopper Even chatting with friends.
Jason Campbell
Jason Campbell is the founder of JC Report and thus one of the pioneers in online fashion media – he has been doing trend-watching and styling sites since 1993. Now he is in Beijing to style celebrities and high net-worth individuals. Jason is sure to be one of the most interesting figures on the Beijing fashion scene.
After Joyce Event
The fashionistas have all shuttled off in Audis. The stylish are waiting for a cab.
At Joyce x ID Event
This filmstar was the first person who caught my eye. This event was one of the first of the many that will be surrounding China Fashion Week this year.
Coating Time
This is the time – before temperature fall too far – to pick up a wool/cashmere winter coat from Senli and Frye.
Men’s Leon Photo Shoot
I dropped by a photo shoot by Leon magazine focusing on men’s black tie & evening wear at Capital M, which has one of the best views of any Beijing restaurant. Leon, the original edition of which is from Japan, provides almost painstaking comprehensive advice on how to be a well-dressed gentleman.
At Capital M
Here are Allen Xie and his colleague Kieran Wang on the patio of Capital M.
Allen Xie is the founder of a Allen and Co., a super stylish bespoke business that offers suits only in Allen’s signature style, which is somewhat like Tom Ford – with wide lapels and super slim waists, but cut in such a way that flatters the Chinese physique. Allen also works with local producers to create unique fabrics like the blue one he is wearing.
The brand started in Shanghai and now Allen is opening his first workshop in Beijing, which will be headed up by Kieran.