Scarf It Down: Liu He, Designer

A zephyr is a mild, lovely breeze from the west – the herald of springtime that all Beijingers are probably dreaming of right now. How fitting, then, that scarf designer Liu He has named her brand Zephyr: because she’s bringing us light and fluttery wisps with a Western influence and the vivid colors of springtime.

Did you have a kaleidoscope as a child?
Yes, how strange that you’ve mentioned it. My latest design involves kaleidoscope patterns – it looks like the dome in a church, inspiring and calm.

Pucci or Hermes?
I like Pucci because it puts me in a good mood and I feel good about myself when I wear it.

Do you think scarves help people conceal things?
No, they’re not like sunglasses.

Do you take inspiration from Beijing?
Not in my first collection – I finished those designs while I was still in Europe. But I’m catching up to the Beijing flavor little by little. In the upcoming collection, there will be something with Beijing influence for sure.

What is the oddest way you’ve seen people wearing scarves?
I’ve seen people in China wearing them as facial masks, Taliban-style. Maybe it has something to do with protecting the face from the cold or pollution but either way it’s weird.

What’s the greatest number of scarves you’ve worn at one time?
Three. I used two as the panels of a dress and another as a belt to tie them together. Some people tie three or more together as a necklace, but this damages the scarves – you have to iron them afterwards – so I’m not recommending it.

Is it still a scarf if you wear it as a dress?
Why not? When you create a look with a scarf, you know that no one else in the crowd has the same look. There is so much potential with scarves, unlike bags or sunglasses.

If you could only design using shades of a single color, which would it be?
International Klein Blue. [A shade resembling electric ultramarine, named for the artist Yves Klein. –Ed.]

In what scenario is it not proper to wear a scarf?
When you’re eating a lot of food. Scarves need to be cared for properly – you can’t just use it as a napkin.

How do Chinese and Westerners differ when they shop for scarves?
In Europe, people tend to buy pieces with low-key elegance. In China, most go for bright and shiny.

See Liu He’s Zephyr collection at www.ymall.com/st4439005.

This article originally appeared on page 5 of the January issue of the Beijinger.

Photo courtesy of Liu He