Water Stone is probably my second favorite OTR (off the rack) shop in Beijing after Altea, the Italian tie and apparel brand with a branch in the basement of Oriental Plaza. It is a refuge for male connoisseurs of avant-garde fashion. The focus is on high-end Japanese cult brands, with products and fabrics produced in Japan; hardly anything here appears on other shelves in China. Attachment, founded by former Issey Miyake designer, Kazuyuki Kumagai stands out, with its emphasis on craftsmanship and innovative but attractive fabrics. The silk linen blend three-piece suit (12,250 – though there was a 50% sale as of this writing) is a perfect modern substitute for seersucker, and is differentiated from mainstream designers like Hugo Boss and Versace through superior, non-fused, construction. The super long sleeve jerseys, an iconic Kumagai piece, will please fashion nerds. Slow Gun by Kobayashi Manabu offers garments in English fabrics produced for Saville Row tailors. Expect no dearth of silk linings and clever details on pieces from these designers as well as Factotum, by Koji Udo. Reeboks designed for the Japanese market are the only products made in China. Otherwise, Made in USA has a strong showing with vintage Levi’s (950), Wool Naval Peacoats (1750), and other rare items from the 1960s and 70s. Water Stone offers a selection on par with what can be found only in top fashion cities like Milan and Tokyo, though the slim, small, sizes and price level might make it more a favorite among local artists and rich kids than Western businessmen.
Water Stone, Daily 10:30-10:30. B008, “Nali Patio†No. 81, Sanlitun North Street, Chaoyang District (5208 6055)
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(The edited version of this piece is in the current The Beijinger along with photos)
