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Here is Queenie, photographed here by her friend Phoebe Li, just arriving at Beijing Design Week 2014.  The ramshackle hutongs of Dashilar are again the setting for many of the most cutting-edge exhibitions.  One of the highlights is this clean air suit.
Jing Daily Publisher Philana Woo contributed this photo of terribly hip artist Tianzhuo Chen.  Chen is best known in the fashion world for his collaborations with Sankuanz.  Here is a video of the FW 2014 Sankuanz collection that they did together.  About her photo, Philana says “Chen demonstrates the dynamism and creativity of China’s younger generation whose taste is galaxies beyond that of  their label-clad parents.”  Here are some recent pieces by Philana on Jingdaily.
The pop-up of Principle M and Radiance Blue at the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing was captured by Frank Yu who is now one of Beijing’s major street style bloggers (here is his Instagram).  Below are some of the highlight products from the week – the bike above was probably the item that got the most attention.
Here are more photos of the Principle M x Radiance Blue x Four Seasons Hotel Beijing pop-up in Opus Lounge.
This article from Richard Hobbs’ article on hypebeast is essential reading for brands looking to get into the Chinese fashion market at this particular juncture. Richard explains the way China is moving from being a luxury to a premium market and the new rise of independent, multi-brand stores.
Denim and workwear geniuses Radiance Blue join men’s made-to-measure specialists Principle M for a new pop-up at the Four Seasons Hotel Beijing from September 9 through 21.  Here are some of the looks one can expect to see.
The HUB has always had great exhibitors including well-known names like Naked and Famous, Chester Barrie, Evisu, Barbour, and Private V.C. White as well as countless niche and designer brands.  What it lacked in previous editions was a great venue close to the center of the city and a large group of  buyers and other key fashion industry figures from the Mainland.  With the China Fashion Forum and other top groups from the Mainland participating this time, The HUB really did feel like it was the center of the fashion industry action here.
There were a lot of funkily-dressed buyers from Guangdong on the roof of D2 Place at The HUB party. Click to see an even more interesting fellow.
I’m going to HK next week for the third edition of The HUB, Asia’s leading premium fashion trade fair and a partner of Stylites for over a year.
Two interviews of The HUB’s co-founder Peter Caplowe appeared on Jing Daily and Chiara’s Coffee Table recently. Have a look!
In conceiving of this collaboration of limited edition scarves for the August 2014 edition of The HUB, Lio was thinking of “creative collision, explosions…Each color represent different emotion, spirit, or style….Much like all the designers joining The HUB. “This spirit of fusion and interaction between very different parties carries through perfectly to The HUB visual identity this season, a powder burst. Lio explains “it is crucial that the market for independent designers gets more structured and more designers can use an event like The HUB to meet buyers, media and others.” Lio sees this as a great opportunity for Chinese designers like herself to gain more experience in the fashion world.
The HUB has commissioned Lio to produce a limited run of this scarf that will be made available to VIPs, media and others at The HUB on the 27th and 28th August. Register here to attend The HUB. I hope to see you in HK next week.
At 1.90Â meters and blessed with truly movie-star-like good looks, Patrick Grant is a towering testament to the current importance of men’s style. His achievements of the last decade exemplify the renaissance of classic menswear. Creative Director for tailor Norton & Sons, a once flagging stalwart of Savile Row that he acquired and began resuscitating in 2005, Grant also relaunched and directs two other heritage brands that he discovered in the Norton & Sons portfolio. E. Tautz & Sons is a ready-to-wear label that riffs on traditional sartorialism, incorporating contemporary dandyism and references to Grant’s youth. Tautz brought him the Menswear Designer award at the British Fashion Awards in 2010. The other line, Hammond & Co makes stylish suiting in top fabrics available to those on a tighter budget via British clothing retailer Debenhams. Â I got to meet him the other day in Shanghai and we discussed his latest book on stylish men and drinking whiskey.
He was in Shanghai for a party Chivas Regal was throwing to celebrate the Chivas Made for Gentleman series designed by Grant.
Here is what he told me:
“Style is much more than just what people wear. A lot of the people we celebrate today are men that have no substance behind them. They are beautifully groomed, and beautifully polished but behind the eyes there is nothing – it’s a sort of empty vessel.”
You’ve been listening to Mp3 out of big headphones for too long or just playing them off the speakers on your laptop in some hotel room not even gracious enough to prove speakers. You might have good taste in music, but sound quality is what really matters. The overabundance of choice can also produce a certain fatigue and taking for granted of the music. Much like food too much growth hormone, there is something unnatural about the music we listen to these days.
I guarantee that one is not really allowed to beg for sponsors in this business of blogging. Then again, Stylites – as a blog at least – isn’t really a business. So let me make this plea: Aperol sponsor our parties!
