Category: Beijing Street Style

Sweet Financier

Hats are appearing more and more, which is nice considering they still were considered granny-like last winter. I expected that she would be a theater student, like young stylish girls on Gulou Avenue. I was surprised to hear that she studies finance at the University of International Business and Economics. It is always nice when appearances are deceptive. Style seems to be spreading to students of the pragmatic arts.

Dash of Color from HK

On Beijing’s charming Gulou Avenue, which means “drum tower” avenue, she was on a trip up from Hong Kong. I love the contrasting colors and the subtly Chinese style padded jacket mixed with the Burberry scarf. The outfit seems very appropriate for a young lady from Hong Kong. However, with temperatures rising there in recent years, probably only one or two days in a year call for this outfit. Thus, a trip to Beijing is needed.

What a great break from the legions of synthetic puffy coats – often with fake fur.

Pingan Avenue: Helsinki Greens Beijing

Daniel designs for Finnish and Italian sportswear companies, so he gets to visit Helsinki frequently, where he picked up these incredible green leather shoes. I ran into him on Pingan Avenue, which is fast becoming one of the more stylish streets in the city. That’s a good trend since Pingan Avenue goes straight through some of the older parts of the city with the most interesting architecture. Most of the nicest hutongs, including Nanluoguxiang, are all off of Pingan Avenue.

One night in Paris

Bit busy at the moment, but here are some more shots from the Van Cleef and Arpels party:

Hanry is a fund manager at one of the largest private equity funds in China. More on him later.

Cate Conmy was an editor at That’s Beijing and she must be one of the more stylish American girls in town – unfortunately she is leaving in two weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving from Lianfeng Hutong

This shot seemed appropriate for Thanksgiving, even though she doesn’t celebrate it. She was getting her clothing altered with Mr. Lu, near Luofusi walking street. No one can read her handwriting, so I can’t tell her name. She operates a billiards hall near Chongwenmen, South East of Tiananmen Square.

Boots worn with shorts came in force over the last two weeks in Beijing. Shorts are more popular with Beijing girls in fall and winter than in summer. I need to do a study into how this look became so popular. It seems to have replaced jeans tucked into boots as the look for mainstream 20-30 women. This is yet another example of how looks which would be somewhat outlandish in the States become the norm in China. Obviously, the physique of Chinese girls is part of the reason, but there must be more…

That’s Beijing Shopping Editor at Van Cleef & Arpels

Halla Mohieddeen, shopping editor of That’s Beijing, Beijing’s premier English language publication, strikes a poise at the Van Cleef & Arpels party. She deserves great credit for having “found” me for That’s Beijing. She asked me to write the column “trouser press” and also suggested that Stylites in Beijing be on the pages of the magazine.

“Une Journée à Paris” – Van Cleef & Arpels

Last Friday was Une Journée à Paris, the Beijing Debut of Van Cleef & Arpels 200th anniversary special collection. Van Cleef & Arpels handcrafts jewelery and time pieces in France.

Paris’ famous Lido girls made a special appearance in Beijing.

Une Journée à Paris had a Hong Kong debut as well, but according to the VC&A PR director, the presentation there did not include the Lido Girls. They were appropriate only for the capital.

I would like to thank Fu Yuanyuan for taking these shots. Sadly, I am nearsighted and did not have my glasses while at this event.

At the Watchtower

The Dongbianmen Watchtower is one of the world’s more singular gallery spaces and it is among the best preserved sections of Beijing’s old city wall. The Red Gate Gallery, the first gallery founded by a foreigner in Beijing, has one location at the Watchtower and another in the 798 gallery district. I prefer the ambiance of the Watchtower to the old factories of 798. If you haven’t been there, go this Saturday afternoon. There is an opening, Viewing Emptiness by Shi Zhongying.

Tally Beck is a manager at the Redgate Gallery and an Asian Art History PHD student. Like everyone related to Chinese art, he is involved in numerous exciting projects. Next, he will be curating Neo-Nirvana: Contemporary Interpretations of Buddhism at the 798 Redgate Gallery. The preview date is Sunday, November 18, 3 – 6 pm, and participating artists are Gade, Sheng Qi, Shi Zhongying, Tan Ping, Tsering Nyandak / Yak Tsetan and Zheng Xuewu. Visit the website for more info: www.redgategallery.com.

Helen Couchman, was also visiting the Red Gate on that day and looking quite ready for autumn. As it turns out, I was wearing a similar herringbone sport coat, but did not include the picture since people mights call me vain. She is a well-known photographer whose work has been exhibited in numerous galleries in Beijing and London. I think you can still see some of her recent work at Gallery Perif, in 798. Check her website http://www.helencouchman.co.uk for more information.

Nifty Knees

Knee-length stockings, the tights Chinese girls love that go down to mid-calve – we’re used to this – but sexy knee tights are fresh. Knees do get cold easily. Add a coat and Mino, a graphic designer, will be ready to wear shorts in winter. This is one of my favorite looks, partially because she was very friendly and photographed me as well.

Maggie Cheung


Sorry for the hand. I forgot to mention that I saw Maggie Cheung at the Lane Crawford party. She was in the process of being hearded off to the VIP room, no doubt. She is as beautiful as she is said to be and seeing her was one of the high points of my adult life. For Western viewer who may not know Maggie: she starred in In the Mood for Love. Americans may be more familiar with Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, but for the Chinese themselves and – perhaps not so coincidentally – the French, Maggie Cheung is the most beloved Chinese actress and the most beautiful.

In the Mood for Love is worth seeing just for many reasons: the soundtrack, the story, the setting. For me, the beautiful qipaos she wears are reason enough.

There is a time lag on my photos, for which I apologize. The photos I take for That’s Beijing must appear there before they appear on my blog, according to our agreement. So the Lane Crawford party is quite old news in Beijing as is summer, but photos from these two events will be appearing on my blog periodically anyway. I am trying to remedy this problem. Given the fact that I don’t too much time to take photos, it is difficult. Regard the blog as a celebration of timeless style.

On Lane Crawford’s Menswear

Prepared to go acquiring, some men at the opening party of Lane Crawford are looking cool.

They could feel confident that Lane Crawford selected the best pieces from each of the labels on offer. Rick Owens, Burberry Prorsum, Viktor and Rolf, Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Neil Barrett, and Alexander Mcqueen are in Beijing for the first time. The new Dior Homme shop opposite confirms that Beijing is no longer a men’s fashion backwater.

Here are Beijing’s best shoes. Check N.D.C Made by Hand brogues (4,100). Lane Crawford is China’s only distributor of these and the Spanish Preventi (around 2,500). Church’s (5,800-6,800), bench-made in the UK, are among the earth’s best shoes, though boring Zegnas are still the top sellers at Lane Crawford. Uh, not to mention the John Lobbs (14,000+).

The tie, shirt, and scarf selection was acceptable, but for lovelier choices, check Allen in Oriental Plaza. More pocket squares would be nice. Standouts were Burberry Prorsum slim ties (1,895) and Viktor and Rolf star print ties (1,000). Choices in attractive corporate-friendly ties lagged; brands missing include Hilditch and Key, Charvet, and Massimo Bizzochi. The Italy-made store brand shirts (1,400) suffice, but Turnbull and Asser or Borrelli would outclass. Skip Vivienne Westwood scarves – the orb is old – but indulge in an over-dyed Raf Simons “split ends” scarf (3300).

Officewear is Dunhill, Zegna, Pal Zileri, and Armani, familiar brands that will sate nearby ibankers and private equity thugs, and generate steady cash flow. The well-edited collections save trips to their boutiques, but truly exclusive brands like Barbera, Isaia, or Belvest might be nice. Choose Pal Zileri for its superior construction – a one button, peak lapel, s120 navy pinstriped suit (18,300) needs you. Non-sale prices include alterations. Skip the Paul Smith suits, but try out his beige, velvet-collared, crombie (13,700).

For divine experiences, blending high fashion with great tailoring, go for the silk/wool Alexander Mcqueen suit (26,700), which makes shimmering look good and will doubtless adorn a popstar, and the black Burberry Prorsum wool/cashmere coat with braided epaulettes (27,350) that seemed custom-made for me. Or you could get personalized replicas custom-made by a tailor here in Beijing.