LATITUDE / PORCELAIN

novembre 20th, 2010 Posted in CITIES, CRAFTS, DESIGN, HANDMADE, HONG KONG, INTERIOR DECORATION, PORCELAIN

nov, 20 2010

: Latitude team: Hong Kong-born Julie Progin and her American husband Jesse McLin.

: Jesse McLin making a unique piece in Latitude’s Hong Kong studio.

: Song collection: hand turned and hand carved porcelain dinnerware collection with celadon glaze.

: Mr. Huang, master model and mold maker in Jingdezhen working on one of our new prototypes.

This week Nicely Made in China (NMiC) presents a couple who has decided to take on one of China’s traditional crafts – porcelain. Born into a Hong Kong-based Swiss family, Julie Progin and her American husband Jesse McLin, have recently created Latitude Design Studio, a young and promising company. In a double interview they tell NMiC about setting up and working with an artisan community in Jingdezhen. Read the rest of this entry »

CRAFTS, handmade, hong kong, porcelain

SUZHOU COBBLERS

octobre 30th, 2010 Posted in CITIES, CRAFTS, FASHION, HANDMADE, SHANGHAI, SHOES

oct, 30 2010

No Comments »

: Denise Huang, Suzhou Cobblers’s owner and designer.

: The good looking rooster embroidered on the Good Morning slippers.

: Everything is made at Suzhou Cobblers studio.

: The Suzhou Cobblers shop at 17 Fuzhou road in Shanghai.

: Nicely Made in China mules by Suzhou Cobblers.

: A model with embroidered peonies by Suzhou Cobblers.

: Every pair of shoes is handmade by embroiderers who work from home in the Suzhou area.

: Every pair of shoes by Suzhou Cobblers is handmade and unique.

This week Nicely Made in China stays in Shanghai to introduce its second -but very different- shoe designer: Denise Huang owner and designer of Suzhou Cobblers moved back to Shanghai from Hong Kong in 2003 with a business idea. Denise kindly accepted to answer a few questions from NMiC and talked about tradition, modernity and a good looking rooster. Read the rest of this entry »

accessories, fashion, Shanghai, shoes

RECHENBERG COUTURE

octobre 2nd, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, FASHION, HANDMADE

oct, 02 2010

No Comments »

: « rechenberg » fashion show in Beijing Aman hotel. Kathrin is 5th from the left.

: Kathrin keeps an eye on every detail in her workshop.

: Kathrin photographed at her April 2010 fashion show in Beijing.

: A « rechenberg » model during Kathrin’s September 2009 fashion show at Aman Beijing.

: A worker in « rechenberg » workshop in Beijing.

: Kathrin gives her last instruction to a model during the September 2009 fashion show in Beijing Summer Palace.

: A model at the Summer Palace fashion show in September 2009.

: Kathrin von Rechenberg’s Beijing studio in Xin Yuan Xi Li.

This week Nicely Made in China stays in Beijing to introduce Kathrin von Rechenberg, owner and designer of “rechenberg » the fashion house. The 40 year-old Bavarian and mother of three has taken a winding path from her “début” at the Paris fashion house Jacques Fath in the 90’s to her arrival in Beijing, via Taiwan, in 2000. We sat in her Beijing studio to discuss Paris fashion houses, material and lost traditions. Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, fashion

SUREN HANDMADE / HANDBAGS

septembre 18th, 2010 Posted in ACCESSORIES, BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, FASHION, HANDMADE, SHOES

sept, 18 2010

No Comments »

: Mao Shu Hong and her husband Yang Bao Guang receive NMiC.

: Su Ren design studio.

: Yang shows an employee how to do things right.

: Mao and Yang check every little detail.

: Su Ren design studio where everything starts.

: The bag handles are finished by hand one by one.

: Quality control at Su Ren factory: each bag is inspected individually.

: This model (BS 092) was created in 2001 and is Su Ren best seller.

This week’s story is about a company barely known outside China even though it has been making high quality leather products for many years. NMiC would like to introduce the company “Suren” (pronounced « sue jhen »), together with Mao Shu Hong, general manager and her husband Yang Bao Guang, the head designer. In order to meet them NMiC took an hour’s drive north of Beijing on a gorgeous blue sky day (Beijingers will appreciate that detail). Ben O’Hara, Canadian TV’s Beijing correspondent came with us, to visit the couple’s design studio and small factory. Read the rest of this entry »

accessories, beijing, handmade

LONGMA EQUESTRIAN PRODUCTS

septembre 11th, 2010 Posted in CITIES, HANDMADE, OTHER CITIES, SPORT

sept, 11 2010

No Comments »

: Nicole Bernard, Longma’s owner with Melissa at the Sheerwood Equestrian Center in Beijing.

: Melissa wears an Italian and Spanish leather bridle.

: The Longma saddle on Melissa.

: Longma custom made boots, the Chinese equestrian national team riders use the same model made by the same bootmaker.

: The saddle comes with adjustable blocks.

: Hand-stitched Spanish leather gloves are also one of Longma’s products.

: The Longma equestrian products » ice boots.

In its never ending search for quality products made in China, Nicely Made in China met Nicole Bernard, the owner of Longma, an Australia-based equestrian equipment company that makes all its products in China. From Tennessee where she was born, to Alvie (pop.60) near Melbourne, via Beijing where she spends half of her time, Nicole has traveled a long way. She stopped by at the Bookworm in Beijing to talk about her passions for China and horses, and how these two passions recently became intertwined.

Nicole, can you tell us how you started Longma?

A year or so ago my riding coach -Chris Smith 1980 Australian Olympic show jumping rider- came to visit me in Beijing- , and while discussing the equestrian market in Australia we realized it is bipolar: you either find very high end and very expensive gear or cheap junk. Horse riding is called the sport of kings and it is an expensive hobby. People who spend a lot of money on a horse care about what they put on their horses’ backs. I thought that hard-working people who love riding deserved high quality equipment at decent prices and that’s what Longma has been trying to provide for a year now. While I will not compare Longma with Australian master saddle makers, I can say that we’re trying to achieve a level of quality that these people respect.

Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, outdoor

NORLHA SHAWLS

août 27th, 2010 Posted in CITIES, CRAFTS, FASHION, HANDMADE

août, 27 2010

No Comments »

: Nicely Made in China: a Norlha shawl

: Yak in a spring pasture. Only the hair of the two year old is used to make shawls.

: The Norlha workshops opened in November 2007 in Ritoma in Gansu province.

: A local woman works on a wood loom in a workshop to produce a Nicely Made in China shawl.

: Two women with different patterned shawls that Norlha did for a French fashion house.

: Every Norlha shawl is hand made. The project allowed many local people to stay and work in their home province.

: The high plateau of Gansu province.

At an altitude of 3200m in Gansu province, the company Norlha produces the most exquisite shawls. These shawls, made mainly of yak wool (khullu), have become much sought after in shops from Paris to Shanghai. Nicely Made in China spoke to the owner, Kim Sciaky-Yeshi, to find out what makes them so special and successful.

Kim, when and how did you start this adventure?

I’ve always loved beautifully woven things and had once worked with someone who was making products out of camel’s wool. In my opinion the 3 most beautiful types of wool are that of goats, yaks and camels. I had heard that yak wool was a rare and noble material but nowadays almost forgotten. So in 2005 I decided to send my daughter Dechen and her brother Genam to Gannan Prefecture in Gansu to see what could be done there with yak wool. They bought over a ton of the raw fiber, which they had cleaned and sent by truck to Katmandu, via Lhasa. There, in my friend Christopher Giercke’s workshop, we had it spun and woven, to test the quality. It turned out that we had a wonderful product. Norlha was started in 2007.

Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, fashion, handmade, HANGZHOU

ARK SURFBOARDS

août 10th, 2010 Posted in CITIES, HANDMADE, HONG KONG, SPORT

août, 10 2010

1 Comment »

: Adam Healy on Shek-O beach in Hong Kong with an Ark surfboard.

: Adam Healy with a Nicely Made in China standup paddle board.

: Adam Healy in the Benpat International showroom with skateboards, another type of boards made by Benpat International.

: Two different types of Ark boards made by Benpat International.

: Surfboards blanks in the factory just before being fiber glassed.

: Any type of logo or pattern can be applied on surfboards.

: A nipper board -board for children- another type of board made by Benpat International.

After the coast of Fujian, Nicely Made in China takes you to the South China Sea to meet Adam Healy one of the two owners of Benpat International. Based in Shek-O on the South-East coast of Hong Kong Island, Benpat makes quality surfboards -as well as kiteboards, skateboards, nipper boards and stand-up paddle boards- all made in China and sells them all over the world. Adam, 26, is Australian and was raised in Hong Kong. He sat with NMiC and explained how surfboards are made.

Adam, can you give us some information about your company?

Benpat International was created in 1990 by John Patkin and I came onboard in 2008. Most of our production is for exports, mainly to Australia, the UK and the US.

Read the rest of this entry »

hong kong, outdoor

NICOLAS FAVARD-JEWELLER

juillet 23rd, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, FASHION, HANDMADE, JEWELLERY

juil, 23 2010

No Comments »

: Goldsmith and jeweller Nicolas Favard in his Beijing shop situated in trendy Sanlitun.

: This Nicely Made in China silver and galuchat (skate skin) cuff-bracelet by Nicolas Favard costs 1800 Rmb.

: A white gold -18 carat- ring with a Tahiti black pearl costs 12,500 Rmb.

: Folded silver bracelet Nicely Made in China by Nicolas Favard.

: Nicolas Favard works on a piece of silver to make a money clip.

: This silver money clip costs 500 Rmb.

: This titanium piece is made of 4 different pieces without soldering it is an object to carry around as hand decoration.

: Nicolas in his Sanlitun workshop.

Nicolas Favard, a 30-year old Frenchman and an extremely gifted craftsman, has lived in China since 2004. He opened recently a new shop in a quiet street just on the West side of Sanlitun North Village. Nicely Made in China had a conversation with him on how he became a jeweller, what inspires him and the meaning of jewels.

Nicolas, when did you decide to become a jeweller?

I got the bug when I was 12. Our teacher told us it was time for us to think about what we wanted to do later in life and I found an article about becoming a jeweller in a book. The bug hasn’t left me since. Read the rest of this entry »

accessories, beijing, JEWELLERY

Mr. GAO ZHENMIN-LUTHIER

juillet 13th, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, HANDMADE, MUSIC, OTHER CITIES

juil, 13 2010

No Comments »

: Mr Gao ZhenMin and his wife Wen YaXia in their workshop.

: Luthier Mr Gao ZhenMin in front of his folded double-bass inside the case.

: Ms Wen YaXia varnishing an instrument in the couple’s workshop.

: Mr Gao with a Sichuan maple soundboard ready to be mounted.

: Mr Gao shows his reserve of drying wood.

: A piece of maple that Mr Gao keeps for his next commission to use as a back of a double-bass.

: A very Nicely Made in China double-bass head with copper keys.

: A cello Nicely Made in China by Mr Gao in his Hebei workshop.

This week Nicely Made in China gives centre stage to Mr Gao ZhenMin, a luthier, owner of Huaming Bass. Mr Gao Zhenmin lives in Hebei and makes his speciality to build and repair double-basses and cellos with his wife, Ms Wen YaXia. NMiC paid him a call in his Hebei workshop where a collection of stringed instruments await his attention between fragrant Sichuan maple and alcohol-based home-made varnish.

When did you open your workshop?

In 2004, after working for 7 years at the oldest Beijing instruments-making factory where I was assembling, adjusting and testing the instruments. While working there I met a lot of music professors who told me there was a niche market in making instruments for high-end classical and jazz musicians. That’s how it started.

Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, CRAFTS, handmade

SHANGHAI TRIO

juillet 2nd, 2010 Posted in ACCESSORIES, BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, EMBROIDERY, FASHION, HANDMADE, INTERIOR DECORATION, SHANGHAI

juil, 02 2010

2 Comments »

: A Nicely Made in China rice measure bag by Shanghai Trio.

: Carole Beaucour, Shanghai Trio Beijing general manager in the Sanlitun store.

: Su Lan one of the Shanghai Trio embroiderer at the Kunshan workshop.

: Shanghai Trio store in Beijing Sanlitun North Village.

: Shanghai Trio newly opened Beijing store in the basement of Sanlitun Village.

: A Nicely Made in China embroidered table cloth by Shanghai Trio.

: Virginie Fournier, Shanghai Trio owner and main designer.

: Shanghai Trio bags in the Beijing Sanlitun store.

This week Nicely Made in China presents the brand « Shanghai Trio » (上海组合). 12 years old this year « Shanghai Trio » was born in Shanghai as the name suggests. It is now expanding to Beijing and also has a shop in Paris among other places. NMiC spoke to the owner Virginie Fournier.

How did you have the idea to start « Shanghai Trio »?

When I arrived in Shanghai in the middle of the 90′s my head was full of expectations of what I would find in China: the finest silk and as well as all sort of craftmen working in the streets. Read the rest of this entry »

accessories, beijing, decoration, Shanghai