STYLEETC. THE STYLE
STYLEETC. THE STYLE REPORT Clockwise from left: shoe and accessories designer Alison Yeung; Dennis Chan, co-founder and creative director at Qeelin; Dee Poon, who heads up Hong Kongbased brand Pye; Mao Jihong, who along with his ex-wife Ma Ke founded Exception de Mixmind; Shiatzy Chen’s design director and creator Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia has only been in the past decade that she has gained international recognition for her East-meets- West styles that preserve the traditions and artistic techniques of China’s past. Her empire has now expanded to include womenswear, menswear, homewares and accessories. She also boasts an atelier in Paris, where she shows regularly at Paris Fashion Week. In addition to her flagship stores in Taiwan and China she has boutiques in other major cities, including the French capital. shiatzychen.com EXCEPTION DE MIXMIND QEELIN Founded by French entrepreneur Guillaume Brochard and designer Dennis Chan in 2004, the fine jewellery brand is among China’s best, with pieces inspired by the nation’s culture and brought to life using French craftsmanship and design. The stunning creations have captured the attention of celebrities including actress Maggie Cheung, who has become one of their most fervent supporters. Over the years Qeelin has created a series of iconic designs from the playful Bao Bao which draws inspiration from the Chinese panda and Western teddy bear to the Wulu which is based on a popular lucky charm that drives away evil spirits. Watches and accessories have also followed. Last year it made international headlines when it became the first Chinese brand to be acquired by Kering, which also owns Bottega Veneta and Gucci, paving the way for international expansion. qeelin.com MARY CHING Alison Yeung, founder of footwear and accessories brand Mary Ching, may be young but that doesn’t mean that she isn’t ambitious. Following studies at Central Saint Martins in London and time in Italy and France, she moved to Shanghai in 2006 and launched the brand in 2008, focusing her designs on the tension between Chinese opulence and British eccentricity. The brand became an overnight success, and before long Ching created a collection for Shanghai Tang and London’s Victoria and Albert Museum selected one of her designs in its permanent collection. This year marks a new direction for the label with the launch of its a collection that is designed in Shanghai but made in Italy. While many of the architectural pumps pay homage to the Chinese culture – one pair of wedges feature small fortune cookies on the clasp, for example – they are crafted from sumptuous Italian fabrics with an emphasis on quality. Move over Louboutin. marychingshanghai.com SHIATZY CHEN Taiwanese designer Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia and her brand Shiatzy Chen are old China hands in the industry. First launched in 1978, long before the country was even on the fashion map, it Guangzhou-based Exception de Mixmind burst onto the spotlight earlier this year when China’s first lady, Peng Liyuan, was spotted wearing its designs on a state visit to Moscow. Turns out, she has been a loyal fan since the brand was initially founded in 1996 by Mao Jihong and his ex-wife, designer Ma Ke. The latter, another Central Saint Martins graduate, is considered one of China’s first fashion designers, with a number of accolades under her belt including being named Best Asian Designer by Elle magazine. Exception de Mixmind rose to fame thanks to its pioneering approach, which has always respected the environment – its ready-to-wear items are made from natural and recycled fabrics – and used traditional techniques from Southern China. Its loose silhouettes are elegant and chic and popular across the country, with more than 100 stores so far. mixmind.com.cn CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: © MARY CHING, © QEELIN, DAN PAK, © EXCEPTION DE MIXMIND, © SHIATZY CHEN 48 departures-international.com
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