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.

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.

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.