Commentaires fermés sur CULTURAL EVOLUTION – CHINA 2005 – 2010 / photography by Lionel Derimais / Text by Mary Kay Magistad
Hello again dear Nicely Made in China readers,
It’s been a while, I know. I do hope you are all safe and well as the whole world is in the middle of a second tumultuous year. Like many of you, I’ve used my time to complete a project close to my heart. Some of you may know that besides producing the NMiC blog since 2009, I am first and foremost a working professional photographer.
Today I am pleased to announce that after years of preparation, I am launching a book of photographs called “Cultural Evolution China 2005-2010”. It is now available for sale via my website – please click on this link to buy the book. Texts in the book (essay, biographies, captions) are in 3 languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin) and French.
Commentaires fermés sur KHUNU / YAK WOOL LATEST KNITWEAR PRODUCTS FOR CHRISTMAS 2014
Christmas is upon us – a very cold winter is predicted! – and Nicely Made in China (NMiC) has asked Khunu’s founder Julian Wilson what his company has in store to keep us warm in the coming months. New accessories have arrived – beanies, pompom hats, scarves – plus the classic and timeless sweaters all in pure yak wool from the Tibetan plateau.
For our readers who don’t know Khunu, the first article we wrote about it is here.
For her: This scarf is knitted using a highly textured seed stitch and is available in plain and marled colour options using mostly non-dyed yarns. Warm, natural and extremely cosy.
Gift for him and for her: For cold feet these mid-length versatile outdoor socks. Composed of 56% yak wool and very comfortable – check Khunu website for full composition. Great resistance to odour.
For her: Traditional knit which originated on Fair Isle, a remote island off the north coast of Scotland. Using neutral and mostly non-dyed yarns we’ve combined one of the island’s classic pattern with a heavy knit to create a versatile infinity scarf that can be adapted to a wide variety of uses, and will be super cozy this winter.
For him: The houndstooth pattern originates from the Scottish Lowlands, and has become a classic pattern for both woven and knit wear.
Unisex: The traditional ribbed knit and pompom create a classic winter look that works equally well for boys and girls.
Unisex: The beanies are made from pure yak yarn knitted in using a garter stitch edged with a dense rib finish.
For him: Shawl collars are a dashing and versatile way to keep warm during the winter.
For her: Our latest incarnation of the Travel Wrap is made from 100% pure yak wool sourced from the Tibetan plateau. The black and natural grey yarns are woven together to give a beautiful two-toned texture and a finish that feels both soft and warm.
For her: The latest Khunu women’s sweater is made from luxurious 90% yak wool and 10% silk yarn for a beautiful handle and great comfort.
Commentaires fermés sur WHAT’S NEW? KATRIN REINFURT MPMP FASHION DESIGN
Katrin Reinfurt the founder of the fashion brand Magnetosphere Prospecting and Monitoring Program (MPMP).
Coat created by Katrin Reinfurt / MPMP for the Walter Van Beirendonck Paris fashion show 2014.
Dress Ocean Storm created by Katrin Reinfurt / MPMP from her 2013 _Eternal Infinity collection.
A coat which glows in the dark by Katrin Reinfurt / MPMP created during her collaboration with Walter Van Beirendonck for Paris fashion show 2014
We wish you a happy new year of the horse! You may have noticed that we recently had a break from publishing in order to take stock and revitalize our efforts. Now we’re back and glad to continue bringing you news about quality products and services from China.
At Nicely Made in China (NMiC) we like to keep track of the companies we’ve featured in the past. So, to begin this Nicely Made in China 2.0 we caught up with Katrin Reinfurt in Paris. An emerging talent in the fashion world with her brand Magnetosphere Prospecting and Monitoring Program (MPMP), Katrin (normally Beijing-based) was at Paris Fashion show collaborating with Walter van Beirendonck no less!
Commentaires fermés sur THIRCUIR BOOKS / PUBLISHING
Beijing-based Jeremie Thircuir, founder of Thircuir Edtions specialized in photography books presenting contemporary photographers.
Wang Qingsong is the most famous Chinese photographer and each of his pictures requires many models and a lot of work.
Song Chao series of portraits of Chinese miners was published by Thircuir Editions.
This week Nicely Made in China looks at publishing, a first for us. Jeremie Thircuir, a French-born entrepreneur, created Thircuir Books in 2011, with a mission to introduce Chinese photographers to the world. We asked him a few questions about the how and why of the venture.
Jeremie, what is Thircuir Books?
Thircuir Editions publishes contemporary photography books by leading Chinese photographers and artists who use photography.
How long have you been in China and when did you create Thircuir Books?
I arrived in China in 2006 after studying economics at the Sorbonne in Paris – I headed off as soon as I received my diploma. My goal was to work in the art world. I believed that cultural development would follow economic development….and so it has turned out. First I worked for a Taiwanese gallery and then for a year for Art+ in Shanghai. I moved to Beijing in 2008 where I worked for Piech Art, founded by Anton and Xenia Piech. In January 2011 I created my own publishing house – Thircuir Books.
Why create a publishing house in China?
My objective was to give Westerners some tools and keys to understanding China – to make China more accessible. I think that outside of the country, people have a muddled vision of China, be it on an economic or political level. The books I publish can be seen as a showcase for creativity in China as well as also shedding light on the reality of the country. The photographs are presented in a way that gives insight into the life and work of each artist.
How many books have you published so far and what’s your initial print run?
We started off by publishing 5 books at the same time and now we have 6 on offer, with another 4 ready to launch. Each book consists of 96 pages, and with an initial print run of 6,000 copies, they are priced at £8.90 or US$12.90.
Which photographers are featured?
In China right now, there are many different artistic movements, and I like to think our books illustrate that richness and diversity. Among the photographers we’ve published so far are Song Chao and Yang Yong. Song Chao’s black and white portraits of Chinese miners represent a type of social documentary, whilst Yang Yong’s photographs of young Chinese women in Shenzhen show us a kind of artificial world. Then there is Liu Bolin, already known to many people through his project “Hidden in the city”.
Let’s talk about the printing technique. What type of ink do you use for instance?
We use soya-based inks, as they give much more precise colors. All our books are made of natural papers with U.V. filters which gives a beautiful smooth finish making people want to stroke our books.
Where can Nicely Made in China readers buy Thircuir books?
NMiC readers can buy our books in selected bookstores and major online retailer like Amazon. Check out retailers near where you live: www.thircuir.com
Commentaires fermés sur TRANQUIL TUESDAYS / CHINESE TEA & TEA SET GIFTS
Charlene Wang, founder of Tranquil Tuesdays a new brand selling Chinese tea.
Charlene Wang, Tranquil Tuesdays founder sourcing tea in Anxi, Fujian. Charlene is checking the quality of the next harvest of Iron Goddess of Mercy (Tieguanyin) Oolong tea.
At Tranquil Tuesdays tea is packaged in boxes, packets and tins designed by the founder of the company Charlene Wang.
Tranquil Tuesdays teapots and cups are designed exclusively for the tea seller.
The simple pleasure of a cup of tea can be a very welcome break from the frenetic pace of life. But how to know which tea is best, when there are hundreds to choose from: Lapsang Souchong, Pu’er, Oolong, white tea, green tea…and so on. Nicely Made in China’s (NMiC) guest this week is Charlene Wang, a Californian of Chinese origin. She’s a tea aficionado and the founder of Tranquil Tuesdays, a new player in the world of tea merchants. She has taken it upon herself to bring the best tea leaves from China to the thirsty world.
Katrin Reinfurt, the fashion designer behind the brand MPMP wearing the magnetic landscape scarf made out of exclusive silk. Available in various prints: sky, water and forest. A special treatment makes the scarf glow in the sunlight.
The Diving in the Nature dress is made of silk washed in a silicon bath to give it an extremely soft and comfy feel by Katrin Reinfurt / MPMP
The raincoat by Katrin Reinfurt has closed seams and a wire runs along the edge of the hood to change its shape. It’s made of reflective fabric which gives a changing image and it also catches ligths in the dark.
The Agenda Handbag by Katrin Reinfurt / MPMP. Made of goat leather with a grey high glossy varnish. This handbag is made of one folded piece without any sewing or glue.
2 years ago, armed with a masters degree from the Vienna University of Applied Arts, Kathrin Reinfurth headed off to Beijing. There she created fashion brand MPMP – it stands for Magnetosphere Prospecting and Monitoring Program. Today she’s mixing art, science and fashion and exhibits her creations in China and in Europe. Nicely Made in China (NMiC) spoke to Katrin about her experiences and what she’s bringing to fashion design.
Commentaires fermés sur C.L.MA CLASSICAL FURNITURE MUSEUM & WORKSHOP
Mr Kele Ma photographed in his museum in Tianjin, in front of chairs from Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.
Reproduction of a late Ming dynasty noble scented rosewood armchair.
Over 1000 authentic pieces of furniture from the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties are displayed on 4000 sq. meters in Mr Ke Lema’s museum in Tianjin.
One of Mr Kele Ma’s carpenter carving the door of a scented rosewood cabinet with dragon patterns. This type of cabinet was popular during the Qing Dynasty.
Much has been lost in China’s rush for modernity, but Nicely Made in China’s guest this week, Mr Kele Ma, proves the exception. He has devoted his life to salvaging countless pieces of beautifully handcrafted ancient furniture which can now be seen at the museum he recently opened in Tianjin.
Commentaires fermés sur NICELY MADE IN CHINA’S « EXPERT’S CORNER »: TRAVELS
Be it a trek in the Sri Lankan jungle or reading on a beach, a trip must be well prepared. (Photo by Lionel Derimais)
Serge Pierrard, Travel Stone CEO – an experienced traveller himself – photographed in a street market in Hong Kong.
Before getting to the deep blue sea a bit of preparation is in order!
For a trip to Western China no room can be left to improvisation!
Spring is here! And at Nicely Made in China (NMiC) it’s around this time of year that we get itchy feet! A trip, be it on horseback in far flung lands or a stay at auntie’s beach bungalow, needs careful preparation: tickets have to be booked and the right clothes have to be packed. We spoke to NMiC’s partner Serge Pierrard, CEO of Beijing-based Travel Stone (travel agency specialised in the Far-East and China) about the dos and don’ts for a memorable trip.
NLGX Design founders Michel Sutyadi (L) and his business partner Ed Hung (R) photographed in a NLGX store.
NLGX Design latest brand Kommute is aimed at fashion conscious travellers.
NLGX Design use contemporary subjects in their creations.
NLGX Design store in busy Nan Luo Gu Xiang in Beijing.
Every day thousands of brands are launched onto the world market, among them, an increasing number from emerging countries. This week Nicely Made in China (NMiC) is happy to give centre stage to NLGX, a new Chinese street-wear brand. Created in 2008 by Michel Sutyadi and Ed Hung, NLGX recently opened a store at Beijing’s Capital Airport Terminal 3 and is about to open another one. Quite an achievement for such a young brand, and so to help NMiC learn more, we interviewed Michel Sutyadi.
Commentaires fermés sur TANG’ROULOU / CHILDREN & BABY CLOTHES
Pierre-Yves Babin and Amélie Peraud the founder of Beijing-based children and baby clothes and accessories,Tang’Roulou.
Chinese know-how with Xiao Liu who works on Tang’Roulou’s creations in one of the Beijing workshops.
The lama monk-style reversible bag retails for 220 Rmb.
Amélie Peraud, Tang’Roulou founder with the women of the “Baihua” cooperative who make handmade embroidery.
If you live in Northern China, chances are that on a cold winter’s day you’ve bought ‘tang hu lu’, those little skewers of toffee smothered fruits. But there’s another ‘tang hu lu’: Tang’Roulou (written phonetically), is a Chinese company created by French-born Amélie Peraud in 2004 which has in 7 years become synonymous with ‘made in China’ quality children and baby clothes and accessories. Read the rest of this entry »
