Photos: Suzy
At Dashilar, these three seem to embody the spirit of Beijing hipsterdom.

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Photos: Suzy

Dashilar has been an important place at several points in Beijing’s history. For most of the last decade, it has been mainly a tourist mecca with few redeeming qualities beyond the historic architecture and degree of density and walkability rarely found in Chinese cities. Now, Beijing Design Week is giving the area a new chance to be a bit more interesting. The weeklong-event has two major venues, the 751 former industrial complex near the art district at 798 and the alleyways around the Western end of Dashilar. Dashilar is by far the less predictable location. Former shops, small factories, workshops and other, now often charmingly dilapidated, are being used for a wide range of installations, exhibits and pop-up shops.

Above is one of the guests at the opening party for Dashilar, who appeared in Styliteshere.

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Photo: Wuhao

Today (9/24) is filled with openings and parties related to Beijing Design Week. These events will center around the revitalized hutongs around Dashilar, nearby Qianmen (click “more” to see a map). The moment symbolizes China’s graduation from mere manufacturer to creator of original products. According to the Design Week Creative Director Aric Chen, the week will do far more than showcase designers and their work, but will also catalyse overall development of design for China and inspire a revitalization of neighborhoods within Beijing. More information on Design Week and Dashilar here.

One part of that might come in the form of the pop-up shops a number of local shops are opening in the Dashilar area. Beijing’s answer to Colette, Wuhao, will be opening its pop-up, called the Teahouse, from 2pm today.

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Photos&Text: Suzy

Also at the Bread and Butter event, I met this mystery girl who would only reveal to me that she is from Sweden.

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Photos&Text: Suzy
At Izzue FW 2011, the show was terrific, the music great and the ladies very lovely. But the gents were particularly well-dressed. We know that the art of adding a little detail to a suit-and-shirt combo can bring an edge to any outfit, creating personal style. I found some who have developed this sartorial skill almost to perfection and really don’t need much presentation. Enjoy!

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Photos&Text: Suzy
Izzue‘s Fall/Winter 2011 fashion show that was held this friday in 798 started with a great soundtrack and ended with a bang. Beijing’s local Indie stars Queen Sea Big Shark played a rocking set that had all the hipsters dancing or a at least tapping their feet.

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Photos&Text: Suzy
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Photos&Text: Suzy

I also met fellow streetstyle photographer Mavener. I like her unpretentious yet cool style but unfortunately don’t remember the site she works for, will update as soon as I find out.

Photos&Text: Suzy
A Stylites post was recently featured on a tumblr called Wearing the pants that collects pictures of women wearing menswear-inspired outfits. For women, such styles have long been fashionable, whereas the man-skirt still turns heads and seems a bit provocative. Also at the David Ubl event, fashion designer Xiao Qiao’s colourful number was created by a friend of his.

Photos&Text: Suzy

This past Saturday, German designer David Ubl presented his summer collection at Beijing rooftop terrace bar The Beach. Unfortunately due to rainy weather, the show was transferred inside. This did not stop the city’s fashion folk from dressing up as their usual chic selves. Here is Chictopia Designer Qing Yang who already appeared on Stylites during this summer’s festival season.

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Magazine editor Juliette, who lived in Paris for quite a few years and has now returned to Shanghai, owns a Peugeot, but on most days, she rides the bus to get to work. She does, however, have a bike, but she usually uses it just for going to buy flowers.

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Taipei-based designer and blogger Milla Huang, creator of a brand called méchant bébé, flew to Shanghai to attend the Colors magazine Transport event. She ordinarily relies on a combination of foot and subway to get around. However, she does have a car for longer excursions.

The Jingdaily has more photos and information on the Transport exhibition now at Shanghai’s Hong Miao art gallery.

I also met Beijinger Chen Jiaojiao at the Transport event. She seems unassuming and casual – quite “Beijing” – considering her position: Editor-in-Chief of The Outlook Magazine. Yes, this is that “cool, creative magazine” here in China that foreigners ask me about. The Outlook Magazine is sometimes confused with media maven Hong Huang’sIlook, though the two publications have very different Chinese names and general appearances. Both arewell-established as hip or avant-garde titles, most of which drop by the wayside after a few issues.They are alsodistinct from fashion magazinesEsquire, Cosmo, Ray Li,et al, which rarely contain surprises.

I asked Chen how she gets to her office in Sanlitun from her home in Shuangjing. She and her husband, who works as Creative Director at the same magazine, take a brown Miniman to work every day. The Miniman is apparently a slightly extended version of the Mini. They do have bikes, but these are used mainly for running errands in the neighborhood as the ride to work is both too long at 40 minutes and too dangerous and disorderly.

Of the homemade vehicles on display at the Transport exhibition, she found the makeshift tanks used by Libyan rebels most inspirational.

Also at the ColorsTransport event was Gene Ku Chien is Editor-in-Chief of ppaper, a fashion and lifestyle publication based in Taipei. Gene takes a subway to work most days, though late at night he cabs. With no car, bike, or motorbike, he finds driving unappealing. Cutting down on emissions was not the initial goal, though it is a welcome benefit.

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While at the Colors Magazine Transport event, I asked some guests how they get around.

Shanghai-based Psydee Yang, who works in advertising, just bought a new Forever bike in deep purple. Now that the weather is cooler, she is hoping to ride it to work more often.

The commute: Subway takes 20 minutes, bus 15, walking 30 and bike 15.

Here I am with Wu Yulu, a farmer from outside Beijing who created the Wu Lao series of robots. Since 1986, Wu has single-handedly built over 40 humanoids capable of performing all sorts of tasks from giving massages to lighting cigarettes. The one pictured behind us is smoking.

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Due to time constraints, I don’t always get to fully introduce all of the various events I attend here. Fortunately, I scored invitations for my colleagues over at the Jing Daily. Their site now offers a nice overview of the Bulgari Retrospective at the National Museum.

Photo&Text: Suzy

I have always admired those who dress in real vintage almost from head to toe. Here, fashion designer Elysée Yang is in an Italian orginal she purchased last year.

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Photos&Text: Suzy

Everyday Beijing streetstyle is almost always about mixing patterns. This daring combination unites a colour-splashed sportcoat with leather pants and leopard loafers. Add a bow-tie and a large pattern shirt, this outfit is sure to garner attention.

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