Talking Threads: ASOS Comes to China, Yetang's Holiday Sale, and Street Style at The Orange
I spent a good portion of my first few months in China chasing down packages. There was the t-shirt for my then-boyfriend that came in the mail after his birthday was long forgotten; the candy corn that I swear must have caught the curiosity of a hungry postman; the 3x5 photographs of my pup in a Santa suit that are probably hanging in someone else’s kitchen.
“What do you mean you don’t have a mailbox?” my parents would ask when I lived in a hutong. It didn’t make sense to me either. “E-cards?” I suggested.
Thankfully, I now reside in an office that can accomodate my spontaneous urges to place online orders for rabbit hay and jeans. But I am still hesitant to buy from online retailers based outside of China, should, for example, customs officials have another bout of the sweet tooth. Which brings me to exciting news: ASOS just opened their China online store.
While the British multi-brand retailer is starting out only featuring about ten percent of their full range of products to China shoppers, expect their usual playful variety of streetwear, with reclaimed vintage garments and brands like Mango, Bellfield, and American Apparel. They'll still be shipping from their warehouse in northern England, but the process should be smoother.
ASOS's move follows that of many big name retailers trying to break into the Chinese market. "We want to be truly global. We can't be truly global unless we're in China, and this is the start of that journey," Nick Robertson, chief executive of ASOS, told Reuters. "It's a build-and-grow, learn, steady-as-she-goes type of approach."
If you’re looking to stay more local this holiday season, the new website from former Nuandao owner and operator Natasia Kawi is offering sweet deals (ok, it’s a cheap pun – her shop name means "wild candy" in English) on items by Chinese designers. Browse kooky accessories, edgy temporary tattoos, hip clothing and more at Yetang, the multi-brand space that Guo says says aims to teach Chinese people how to break out of their comfort zones and party.
I’ll certainly be partying after hoarding items in these themed stores to commemorate 12-12, a shopping day I hear is akin in grandeur to 11-11. If you need more buttering up, follow them on Instagram at yetangstyle. It’s worth it, if only for their really creative shoots, which often take place right in their studio with the help of a few drinks. More about that coming up.
For those of you who made it over to AnyShopStyle and SURGE Art’s event at the Opposite House last week, you may have noticed the leather women's wear by Hong Kong designer Erbert Chong, who just made his debut in China. Check out an interview with him here.
Finally, if you're in the Sanlitun area, be sure to stop by The Orange to check out The Great Style Leap exhibition by P1, an invitation-only social networking site that has documented Beijinger's sporting some of the city's most stand-out fashion trends over the past decade.
Photos: Yetang.com, Jessica Rapp
Email: j.rapp@thebeijinger.com
Instagram: @jrapppp
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