When it comes to the narrative of fashion or for that matter creative work, in our digitally led world the experience relies heavily, dare I say a little bit too much, on the sense of sight. It has been sensorially done to death. But what about scent?
Cultural quirks in terms of scent can offer a fascinating peek at the underlying conceptual differences of the country’s national identity.
For fashion the next consideration is often touch, the tactile interaction found in clothing — from the thrill of silk to the divinely cosy feel of cashmere — can help make or break an individual’s ‘qizhi’, the je ne sais quoi element of presence that serves as a key element of China’s beauty ideals. Yet the question beckons… What about scent?
While creators intuitively rely on their deep connection with themselves to sniff out their creative direction so to speak, olfactory abilities are too often left untouched and unexplored.
From the sweet autumnal fragrance of osmanthus to the seasonal memory of the powdery scent of Six Gods toilet water meets mosquito repellent, China is rife with smells that can both delight and shock in the humid raw heat of its many mega cities.
Could these shared smells be integrated in to the country’s creative scene to add another layer of depth for fashion or art? After all a whiff of this or a note of that can beautifully transport us to a nearly forgotten melody from the past.
As a passer-through, Temper Magazine turned to Shanghainese designer Xin Zhao (IG: @rebyxinzhao) of independent accessories brand REBYXINZHAO to escort us on a walk down memory lane.
“The characteristic piney licorice aroma always brings me back to the memories of my art school days, doing oil painting. It makes me realize how much I love art and to create with no purpose, but with joy.” Designer Xin Zhao

“Knot Sure” Collection by REBYXINZHAO
Temper: What are some scents or smells you associate with Shanghai?
While each individual’s olfactory references may differ, what has always fascinated me is the culture’s universal sensitivity to smell.

“1.0” Collection by REBYXINZHAO

“Untitled” Collection by REBYXINZHAO
Written by Sandy Chu for Temper Magazine 2018. All rights reserved
Edited by Elsbeth van Paridon for Temper Magazine
Images: Courtesy of REBYXINZHAO
Copyright@Temper Magazine 2018 All rights reserved
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