It’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation combining Chinese, German and English (Cherglish?), and have both parties understand the situation perfectly. But such was the case when I photographed Caroline outside Cafe Moebel.
Read More
Vega Zaishi Wang shirt and pants, vintage hat from Psycho Recycle.
Vega Zaishi Wang top and skirt, shoes from Harrod and Ji.
Ricardo Tisci x Nike sneaker boots via Psycho Recycle, Vega Zaishi Wang dress.
Neemic blazer and skirt, Love Pillowbook bralette, vintage shoes from Psycho Recycle.
Chictopia jacket and skirt, vintage Vivienne Westwood platforms via Psycho Recycle.
Chictopia dress, John Peters New York backpack from Psycho Recycle.
Neemic dress, bag and shoes from Psycho Recycle.
Su Guangyu top, Converse sneakers and vintage Gianni Versace bag.
Imma use this quiet Sunday at home to finally post this: The latest styling work I did with photographer Scarlett Casciello back in Beijing for the latest KNEON!
The story spotlights 5 Chinese designers – Neemic, Vega Zaishi Wang, Love Pillowbook, Chictopia and Su Guangyu. We also pulled some pieces from the dopest vintage store in Beijing called Psycho Recycle, whose founder is coincidentally also Chinese but grew up in Vienna.
For this story, we wanted to create a narrative of this urban, young and modern Chinese girl; fashionable, cool and also in touch with her roots despite all them modernisation that has been happening in China. Model Ting was absolutely perfect for this shoot. She’s a Beijinger, but moved to the states for school, and is perfectly tasteful, bubbly and confident. More sass like this one please. We shot at Tuanjiehu Park close to Sanlitun. The place was full of elderly doing their aerobic exercises, so our shoot was a bit of a circus for them.
Anyway, the new issue dropped last week, and the response has been so happy-making. I wish I could release more issues throughout the year (I have considered bi-monthly before), but the workload is going to be crazy during this last year of uni, so I’m hesitant about being overly optimistic. For now, KNEON is remaining seasonal and digital – but this will all change very soon. Hint hint. Wink Wink. Poke Poke.
To everyone who has collaborated, read and supported this issue: XIE XIE LA. Which is Chinese for THANK YOU LA. The ‘La’ is unnecessary but connotes our bro-ship. Because we are on the same ADD/OCD creative ship. And it’s hella dizzy and I’m getting seasick but I just love this party.
Photographed by Scarlett Casciello | Styled by Victoria Jin | Hair by Liu Xiaolin | Makeup by Jiang Renzhe | Model, Ting @ Longteng models
My team and I have been sweaty and busy preparing for the next issue of KNEON – dropping on Monday yay. I’m also getting ready for London Fashion Week. My focus will be very different this time around: I’ll mostly be looking out for Chinese designers and creatives. Also looking forwards to Ai Weiwei’s exhibition at the Royal Academy. I met him for a very solid 20 seconds back in Beijing at his solo show, and damn, that man has patience. Hundreds of people were crowded around him, asking for photos, and he remained smiley and welcoming. #selfie.
My mom is my number one hater when it comes to my dressing habits. “Why you wear so much black? You look like mafia Taitai”. Um, excuse me? The least you can say is that I look like a mafia boss. I don’t have the patience to dress up solely to be someone’s little wifey.
The styling for this shoot was inspired by this image, which reminded me of Gong Li’s two braids in ‘Raise The Red Lantern’ (which I just saw on Sunday – and is a genius cinematic piece of art, highly recommended)