From the seductive sight of petite fragile feet to the beauty and purity among the 11 virtues associated with the Jade Culture, footwear and accessories have long since been part of China’s fashionable lore and law. Check out today’s newly rising designers in the field!
As China’s design talent continues to flourish, footwear and accessories designers are fast becoming the country’s new fashion bright spot to watch.
With Chinese ready-to-wear designers having already established a global name for the country’s rising design credentials, these newer categories have begun to grow and carve out a style for themselves alongside independent apparel brands. This sprouting scene provides a promised land coupled with a maturing Chinese consumer who is becoming increasingly discerning and individualistic. As such, these evolving individuals are developing an appreciation for design and the power of a good accessory which helps fuel the growth of this niche design tableau.
Since most brands focus on social media accounts in China while forgoing traditional websites, this segment has been blossoming right under our noses! After browsing physical retail, regularly following Chinese fashion and digging through China’s version of Twitter, Sina Weibo, Temper Magazine has unearthed an array of talent. As this scene emerges, we introduce and highlight our favorite designer brand names to know. Here are our top picks.
An Arch Glance
A brand that first caught our attention through a collaboration with illustrator Bmal, An Arch Glance is a young Shenzhen footwear brand with 8,800 plus Sina Weibo followers. In April the label collaborated with established independent womenswear designer Yirantian for the brand’s A/W 17/18 April Labelhood runway show.
With beautifully styled look book imagery regularly featured on the brand’s social media and having previously exhibited at Shanghai’s must-check-out Ontimeshow trade show, An Arch Glance is one to watch with its celebratory art & love brand message.
For more, go check out the brand’s Taobao, Sina Weibo or Instagram.
Courtesy of Lane Crawford
Bing Xu
Stocked by Lane Crawford, Bing Xu specializes in classic but trendy footwear – think Prince Albert slippers, heels and fashion sneakers. The brand has been worn by celebrities including Song Jia and Chris Lee, it has also been posted about on Chinese social media by blogger Han Huohuo. With more than 52,100 followers on Sina Weibo, Bing Xu can rightfully be labeled a brand on the rise.
For more, go check out the brand’s Sina Weibo.
Daartemis
An artistic contemporary jewelry brand whose designs regularly feature 14K plated gold, pearls, organic forms and silver, Daartemis is a Guangdong-based brand stocked by Beijing’s prestigious multi-brand store Brand New China. With wallet friendly prices ranging from approximately 200 RMB to less than 1400 RMB this is one to watch for its timeless design sensibility.
For more, go check out the brand’s Sina Weibo.
Ejing Zhang AW17 Collection. Courtesy of Ejing Zhang.
Ejing Zhang
A graduate of the UK’s Royal College of Art, Ejing Zhang’s eponymous line in 2014 was founded in London. Drawing on her studies in mixed media her handmade production process leads to one of a kind, contemporary yet quirky keepsake pieces. For A/W 16/17 Zhang has collaborated with need to know womenswear designer Xuzhi for wool marble jewelry. The brand is stocked in China by Chinese contemporary brand Zuczug, Shanghai concept boutique OOAK, Dressing For Fun in Chengdu and Monster Beijing.
For more, go check out the brand’s Instagram.
Hefang Earlace.
Hefang
With more than 103,100 followers on Sina Weibo, Hefang is beyond any doubt a must-know jewelry designer in China. Founded in 2012 by Sun Hefang a graduate of the prestigious Central Saint Martins, the accessible luxury brand is priced from 1000-4999 RMB. Pearls, sterling silver and gold are all featured in her delicate designs that have an interesting twist which includes collections inspired by sports, horoscopes and Alice and Wonderland. Featured in the Chinese editions of Vogue, Bazaar and Marie Claire, Hefang has also previously collaborated with major brands including Samsung, Maserati, Kerastase, SK-II, W Hotels and Swarovski.
For more, go check out the brand’s Sina Weibo or Taobao.
Plank Ateliers AW17. Courtesy of Plank Ateliers[/caption]
Plank
Based in Guangzhou, Plank is known for its footwear, phone cases and accessories featuring fake eyes that are placed on shoes as vertebra-like decorative bumps. The directional brand has been featured on fashion insiders’ WeChat moments and is priced from 298-1780 RMB.
For more, go check out the brand’s Sina Weibo or Taobao.
REBYXINZHAO
Founded by Shanghai-based designer Zhao Xin, REBYXINZHAO is an accessories brand that designs handbags and footwear. Inspired by art and informed by the designer’s background in graphic design, the label’s handbags are know for their color usage and functional design details. The brand is currently stocked by need-to-know boutiques including K11’s Kuriosity and The Mix Place.
For more, go check out the brand’s Instagram.
Yvmin Pineapple Still Life Earrings. Courtesy of Yvmin
Yvmin
Registered in Beijing, Yvmin is regularly featured in Chinese editions of international magazine titles – think L’Officiel, Numero and Bazaar. The brand also appeared in W Korea and YOHO! Girl. Still-life inspired look book imagery appears on the brand’s Sina Weibo highlighting the brand’s minimal yet directional designs which have helped the label garner 11,000 plus followers.
For more, go check out the brand on Sina Weibo or Taobao.
#One
Registered in Shenzhen this minimal jewelry brand is known for its clean designs that often feature pearls. Standout designs include ear cuffs and conversational motifs such as an unexpected cactus pin. Regularly worn by celebrities, the brand is stocked by Brand New China.
For more, go check out the brand on Sina Weibo.
With young Chinese designers and designer brands already developing a strong aesthetic in this newer area to watch, China’s emerging footwear and accessories scene is one design category that will continue to surprise and delight as more creatives enter the market and existing brands further hone their signature styles. No bounds known and no holds barred.
Written by Sandy Chu for Temper Magazine 2017 All rights reserved
Edited by Elsbeth van Paridon for Temper Magazine
Featured Image: Courtesy of An Arch Glance
Copyright@Temper Magazine 2017 All rights reserved
Perpetually in pursuit of the greater good that is “China Fashion”, van Paridon set up The China Temper to help promote the dynamite dynamic fashion scene sprouting within Beijing, Shanghai, and China overall. Catering to anybody and everybody who reads English and/or Chinese, Temper covers all the basics and bases. From China's street style scenery to its budding photographers, internationally renowned designers, and underground quirks plus phenomena: We present one hot-hip-happening current collective weaving The New "Made in China" tag.
The term “Made in China” is undergoing the ultimate 21st Century makeover. Escorted by the increasingly strong influence of a new thinking among China’s younger generations, regarding individuality and the expression thereof, the fashion scene in the Middle Kingdom is exploding. And stretches far beyond what meets the eye. It’s appliqué, one might say.
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