Cuddly Editor

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Modern Weekly focuses on culture, fashion, and art and boasts a nationwide distribution of 450,000, highly concentrated in Shanghai and Beijing with relatively few readers in Guangzhou, following the pattern of most other trendy publications. Jian Cui (and on Douban) is one of their editors and his colleague, Ms. Ding Yun, made the inspired decision to write a story on Stylites, boosting hits on the site. Here is their article (in Chinese).

He proposed standing next to the men’s room. I must confess that I have used that bathroom on several occasions. Despite the pungent smell, there are often groups of men inside smoking and chatting. I’m never tempted to join in and, so far, none of these guys has appeared on Stylites.

Lu 12.28

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A native Beijing designer, Liu Lu just opened her first shop on Nanluoguxiang. After studying at an elite boarding school in Switzerland, she studied fashion design at Parsons in Manhattan. Her brand, Lu 12.28 has ready-to-wear and haute couture lines. She just adopted a very cute stray puppy that seems to be drawing in the clients. In the photo, the top and skirt are her own designs.

“Heart Link” by Marzipan

To represent our hopes for the futures of the thousands of children whose lives were devastated by the May 12 earthquake, Marzipan, our handmade accesories brand, is releasing a band, tentatively called “heart link”. Half of proceeds will go to the China Children and Teenager’s Fund for relief efforts. Please visit Marzipan to find out more information.

Right now 100% of proceeds from Stylites’ items, a new section of Stylites, will also go toward recovery efforts. Raised so far: 600RMB

Until June two, 10% of any purchase at Senli and Frye, tailoring, will also go toward recovery efforts

Silk Tweed Coat from Le Divan

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If you aren’t a fan of details, you may not be drawn to the designs of Le Divan, based near Xinjiekou in West-Central Beijing. Those who fear new aesthetic norms, imaginative and quirky uses of fabric, and dressing with a sense of drama might also head elsewhere. So, yes, trend-followers who hit Zara seasonally or die-hard preppies, head-to-toe in Brooks Brothers, will probably not end up wearing this coat. On the other hand, the pure lines and quality natural fabrics make most Le Divan pieces “integratable” in a more traditional wardrobe.

Confidently donning an entire ensemble from their studio is a challenge for which few beyond Aurelien Lecour and Tony Hwa, co-founder of Le Divan, have the stylistic panache or slim physique. Le Divan is fortunate that in one area, at least, they can cut costs: with Aurelien on the team, they shouldn’t be needing too many extra models. Nonetheless, I would be happy to offer myself, and be paid in kind – perhaps in the form of this coat, if they start needing the beefier, swarthier types.

When it comes to materials, however, little expense is spared. Most of the fabric is imported from Italy or Japan, but they have also managed to locate some of the best Chinese-made fabrics I have seen. None of the usual cheesy, cheapo polyesters or coarse cottons and linens can be found at Le Divan. The fabric of this coat is a gorgeously nubby 100% silk tweed from Shandong.

The lining is a silk we’re more used to, but they have clearly found sources for interesting patterns that have evaded me thus far. Their garments all feature unique silk linings. They even include the linings in the pockets and other areas. For many people having clothing made in China, the lining is the most fun part, a chance for expressiveness. Silk breathes better and feels nicer than the polyester in most tailor-made and OTR cheap suits, though most silks are not as durable as high quality bemberg rayon. In China, bemberg actually costs more than many silks, though it hardly exists in patterns or interesting colors.

Aurelien and Tony are also creating a line of shoes and bags, of which this is a prototype.

This is just a preview on Le Divan. I will cover the fabrics and designs, plans for the future, and the unique business model more thoroughly in the next couple of weeks.

The address of Le Divan is Xinjiekou Nan Dajie, Baihuashen Chu, 25 (西城区 新街口大街 百花深处25号) and the phone number is (+86) 10 66 16 17 59. Their website is www.ledivanstudio.com.

Clothes from the ’70s

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He’s always in fitted blazers or ‘70s cords, which is nice because it is unusual to see actual vintage clothing here in Beijing. I believe Max is on the marketing team of China Doll, one of Beijing’s chicest clubs that will be reopening next month on the fifth floor of 3.3, a rather un-chic shopping mall in Sanlitun. We’ll have to see how China Doll does sitting atop four floors of tassles, chains, lace, and fake Dior.

Harmonized Couple

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Both seeking work, Nikki and Snow live in Fengtai district, where, they say, there is nothing fun to do. Nikki says the best way of finding work and doing well in general is to make sure all of your thoughts and deeds are “harmonious” and do not upset anyone. In his opinion, for young people to succeed they must “become harmonized” (被和谐). He also commented that Korea has a much bigger influence on Chinese fashion and popular culture than the US and Europe, which he says offer more classic styles. Nikki runs a taobao shop that sells second-hand and vintage products from the West and Japan.

Beijing-Loving Designers

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Yokota and Kata prefer Beijing to Tokyo because of the relative absence of pressure and the good work opportunities. They are the co-founders of LOSH, a design firm serving mainly Japanese firms. The only thing that could make Beijing any better was Uniqlo and Muji, both of which just arrived in Xidan.

Bathing in Blue

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She was posing for pictures, so I took one too. Giving full allegiance to one color and draping oneself in it can pay off – and this blue is not a bad choice. She seemed a bit like a foreigner, but is local.

Lovely Couple with Attainable Style

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These days the Burberry plaid can only be done well in accents like the roll-up cuff of hot Hannah’s padded jacket. The fitted, herringbone blazer is perfect for Sunday and Chris knows how to pull it off casually. Their individual looks go well with together. The tweed coat worn by Chris is perfect outerwear for fall and even early spring. He had it made at Senli and Frye.

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Just to give more of an idea of this coat, here is a photo of me in mine. I was in desperate need of a haircut that day.

Color Wheel Opposites

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This is one of the more creative looks. A student at famous People’s University in TV and radio broadcasting, Hannah likes to dress in color wheel opposites with green being predominant. Seems a bit like a Tokyo person in London or perhaps Dublin, which is not bad at all for a native Beijinger.