We’re loving the recent renovations at Fei Space, the original 798 fashion boutique. Stylist Ray P Lee and designer Lin Jing have an exciting few months ahead. This summer, ‘skinspiration’ is Fei’s err... inspiration, with Jean Colonna’s tank tops in fine hand-woven sheer silk and cashmere (from 1,500RMB) complementing the leather harness (4,850RMB) from Fleet Ilya’s fetish collection for the more sexually playful. Sunglasses by Alexander Wang and Raf Simons are on hand, while accessories come from CFDA award-winner Eddie Borgo. Also look out for autumn/winter collections from Jonathan Saunders, Prova and Marios Schwab that arrive in August.
Don’t miss
Fei Space will be bringing collections from British behemoth Topman to Mainland soil for the first time, and we’ll be collaborating with both at next month’s
Beijing Design Week. Topshop will also be joining our party, with an exhibition of designer collaborations throughout the ages.
Low-Fi
This unassuming shop houses piles upon piles of second-hand clothes, so you need to rummage. When we visited, it was hard to navigate what essentially looks like a bombsite, but persevere to find some diamonds in the rough. Most pieces are from China, while the designer threads are sourced from Japan. It was predominantly menswear, with a few vintage frocks scattered throughout, but the owner does promise more womenswear over the next few months. We spied some Ralph Lauren trenches for 500RMB and a few pairs of snazzy vintage sunglasses.
We love
A 500RMB pair of men’s Costume National pumps; per fect for romping around the city.
InRetro used to take up part of Fei Space, but has recently expanded to a larger location. This shopbrings together European furniture, glassware and lighting from the ’50s through to the ’70s that would make welcome additions to any modern home. We love the quirky trinkets that breathe life into the space and set it apart from the usual showroom.You’ll find a ’60s sitting room area complete with chairs (4,500RMB) and cabinets (28,000RMB); another space transformed into a dining room with a table (12,000RMB); plus lighting options (4,500RMB).
Other highlights include a ’60s Danish teak sideboard with roll-up doors (32,000RMB), a pair of Westnofa Norwegian leather chairs and a range of hanging lights. Noted designers on hand include Charles and Ray Eames, and Egon Eiermann.
Check out
The paintings in the showroom are by Time Out illustrator Timothy McEvenue, the husband of InRetro founder Shannon Loo.
While there are certainly a lot of tat-touting stores in 798, sometimes you do want a souvenir, but preferably one that isn’t emblazoned with Mao or pandas. Thankfully, U-CAN houses amusing gift ideas alongside a variety of Chinese streetwear labels, including Monkey Style and Wazzap. Sure, striped nautical tees and Feiyues are present and correct, and nu-metal blares throughout the store, but it’s certainly worth a wander.
Don’t miss
The upstairs printing area promises finished products in just 15 minutes. T-shirts will set you back 79RMB, pillows 69RMB, bags range from 49-59RMB and postcards a mere 19RMB. Souvenir sorted.
CAFA graduates Meng Dan and Yin Xiangkun sure love skeletons. Their store is filled with jewellery inspired by the bony figures. Rather than being gothic, the results include some quirky, inspired designs. We love the silver bracelets and necklaces comprised of small bones attached to one another (from 800RMB). It’s not all doom and gloom; there are a variety of styles on offer, including some colour ful tribal pieces, while one side of the store is devoted to jewellery from Japan (20-300RMB).
The skeletal designs are all created in-store, a perfect antidote to the mass-produced jewellery swamping many of the neighbouring outlets. The original sketches are displayed alongside the products, and bespoke pieces in gold or silver are available upon request.
Don’t miss
The playful display featuring lizard and frog skeletons positioned with doll’s house furniture. The jewellery might not be to everyone’s taste, but who doesn’t want to see a lizard checking emails?
Wo2
Founded by local designers Liyia Wu and Yao Yu, Wo2’s mantra is cotton and jersey separates in bright neon. Spring/summer sees plenty of colour blocking, while the label has also started to mix fabrics. You can’t go wrong with its simple tees (158RMB) and mini-skirts (328RMB).
Don’t miss
There are currently huge reductions on last season’s autumn/winter collection.
+86 was established in 2009 and houses a selection of designers’ works, but the main focus is designware and home decor. The various sections of the store are well labelled, and each range is matched to a blurb and image of the designer.
It’s a good spot for posh gifts or modern European kitchen items for yourself. Those craving a more Chinese aesthetic should check out the ranges from Hong Kong lifestyle brand Goods of Desire, starting from 90RMB. Also worth investigating are the interesting lighting designs by Heath Nash and Tord Boontje. Of course, no design store in China would be complete without a selection of stationery and Moleskine notebooks, but we were particularly drawn to the bizarre 3D anatomic puzzles at 400RMB.
We love
The necklaces by Primary Design School each have bonkers names, including a rather fetching pendant (608RMB) entitled ‘Woo Woo Piggy dreams to fly on his snot bubble’. Who could resist?
The gargantuan Optimus Prime that once flanked the entrance to Water Stone has been replaced with four statues of Santa Claus, but business continues as usual inside. Water Stone features a range of Chinese, Japanese and European designers, with a few vintage pieces thrown in for good measure. New recruits include Daniel Palillo, Yohan Kim, Starstyling and 3.1 Phillip Lim.
Secret crush
We love the spring/summer 2011 collection by Nozomi Ishiguro, but it is rather steeply priced (4,250RMB for one shirt).