CITIES | Nicely Made in China

NICOLAS FAVARD-JEWELLER

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

Juil, 23 2010

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: 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

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: 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

MALILIAN-FURNITURE DESIGN

juillet 9th, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, DESIGN, FURNITURE, INTERIOR DECORATION, WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Juil, 09 2010

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: Marianne Friese poses on one of her creations: a sofa – Gobelins inspired with Chinese influence.

: A very Nicely Made in China armchair by Malilian. (Ph.Hans Schlupp)

: Every single cushion is inspected through and through by Marianne Friese in person.

: Marianne Friese and Ms Zhang check one last time the double piping Ms Zhang sew by hand.

: Cushions undergo a thorough inspection before they are delivered to the customers.

: Marianne Friese inspects every aspect of the newly made armchair before delivering it herself to its new home.

: Malilian’s creations leave the Beijing upholsterer’s workshop to go to their new homes.

: Marianne Friese’s Beijing home which doubles as a showroom. (Ph.Hans Schlupp)

Nicely Made in China today presents a non-traditional furniture designer: Marianne Friese, owner and designer of Malilian. German by birth Marianne arrived in China in 2001. Since 1988 she has been leading two lives: consultant and communications specialist 12 hours a day she turns into a sofa designer the other 12. NMiC caught her in the sweltering warehouse of the Beijing master upholsterer she works with where she was checking the quality of her latest creations before delivering them personally to their new homes.

Marianne, how did this all begin?

My first sofa was made in 1988 in Los Angeles where I was living. I wanted to buy one for my home and could not find anything I liked. A friend introduced me to a Mexican Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, decoration, furniture, women_entrepreneurs

SHANGHAI TRIO / FASHION & ACCESSORIES

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

Juil, 02 2010

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: Virginie Fournier, Shanghai Trio owner and main designer.

: Shanghai Trio bags in the Beijing Sanlitun store.

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

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

: 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.

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

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, women_entrepreneurs

ELISABETH KOCH-MILLINERY

juin 25th, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, FASHION, HANDMADE, WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Juin, 25 2010

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: Elisabeth Koch poses with Fountain, a creation made of turquoise dyed rooster feathers.

: Elisabeth Koch at work on a new creation in her Beijing apartment.

: Elisabeth Koch wears Here Comes The Sun one of her recent creation.

: Milliner Elisabeth Koch with one of her latest creation in her workshop.

: Milliner Elisabeth Koch workshop in Beijing.

: A very original head piece by milliner Elisabeth Koch called Black Felt Flower.(Ph.Stephen Lo)

: Another very original design for a head piece by milliner Elisabeth Koch called Hup Holland.(Ph.Stephen Lo)

: The butterfly, a Nicely Made in China hat by Elisabeth Koch.(Ph.Stephen Lo)

This week Nicely Made in China puts a profession under the spotlight: Elisabeth Koch is a milliner – the word originally referred to someone who came from Milan – . The young U.S-born Dutch woman tells NMiC all about her birth as a hat maker and about making headpieces in this part of the world.

Elisabeth, when did you start Elisabeth Koch-Millinery?

I started as soon as I arrived in China 3 years ago. I was coming from Brussels where I was working in the marketing department of major banks. As soon as I knew that I would be leaving the European Union capital Read the rest of this entry »

accessories, beijing, fashion, women_entrepreneurs

EVERARD+WANG – JEWELLERY

juin 19th, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, DESIGN, FASHION, JEWELLERY, WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Juin, 19 2010

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: Wang Lei, Everard&Wang designer with director Ariel Welby-Everard.

: Wang Lei, Everard&Wang designer in her workshop working on a new concept.

: The Mountains and Water silver plated cuff bracelet with an agate.

: Gold leaf and black leaf earrings of the Silk Road Flowers collection.

: Wang Lei is wearing an avant-garde necklace made of plastic from the Spin collection.

: Wang Lei in her workshop works on her next nicely made in China piece of jewellery.

: A bracelet from the Mountains and Water collection.

: Wang Lei in her workshop works on her next nicely made in China piece of jewellery.

Jewellery is the Nicely Made in China product of the week. Ariel Welby-Everard, ex-insurer from London and Wang Lei, ex-dancer from Wuhan are a team in life as well as in business and have now created their company Everard+Wang. In a two-voice interview they tell NMiC all about making jewellery in Beijing.

Read the rest of this entry »

accessories, beijing, JEWELLERY, women_entrepreneurs

BLUE SHANGHAI WHITE

juin 12th, 2010 Posted in CITIES, CRAFTS, FURNITURE, HANDMADE, INTERIOR DECORATION, PORCELAIN, SHANGHAI, WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Juin, 12 2010

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: Hai Chen owner of Blue Shanghai White and its main designer.(NMiC would like to thank Element Fresh Sanlitun for letting us use their terrace)

: A selection of BSW nicely made in China teapots and vases.

: Porcelain and wood screens.

: Rocking horses made of porcelain by Blue Shanghai White.

: BSW shop on Fuzhou road near the Bund.

: An example of alliance of porcelain and wood to create unusual chairs.

: An example of alliance of porcelain and wood to create unusual chairs.

The Nicely Made in China product of the week is as old as China itself. Chinese ceramics, since it is ceramics and porcelain we’ll be talking about, are back in fashion again. Hai Chen, Blue Shanghai White owner and main designer grants NMiC an interview.

Hai Chen, how did you become a ceramist and when did you start Blue Shanghai White?

I studied fine arts and ceramics from 1987 to 1991 at the Beijing Central Academy of Fine Arts and at Beijing Central Academy of Fine Arts & Design from 1992 until 1996. I created my company in 2003.

Read the rest of this entry »

CERAMIC, handmade, porcelain, Shanghai, women_entrepreneurs

LE FROMAGER DE PÉKIN

juin 5th, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, CRAFTS, FOOD

Juin, 05 2010

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: Liu Yang outside his shop in Huilongguan in North Beijing.

: Liu Yang outside his shop with two of his three assistants.

: A selection of cheese nicely made in China.

: Liu Yang with a selection of his cheese.

: From the left: Liu Yang, Wu Yi, Xu Jiang Yo and Huang Zhi Wei in the Huilongguan shop.

: Liu Yang with a tomme in the maturing room.

: Liu Yang and his assistant Huang Zhu Wei in the laboratory

At Nicely Made in China we like to eat and what better way to end a good meal but with some cheese! But as it turns out it’s not easy to find good cheese in Beijing at decent prices. If that was one of your problems, NMiC found the man who can help. Liu Yang, a Heilongjiang native, makes cheese. All sorts of cheese. In an interview conducted “dans la langue de Voltaire” he gives NMiC readers a crash course in cheese making.

Liu Yang, few people would imagine finding a “fromagerie artisanale” in North Beijing. Can you tell your story for Nicely Made in China readers?

I discovered cheese in France while studying management at the university of Auvergne in Clermont-Ferrand in the Massif Central in 2001. To greet the 50 newly arrived Chinese students the university had organized a buffet. I remember there were a lot of different cheese Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, FOOD

PLASTERED 8 T-SHIRTS

mai 29th, 2010 Posted in BEIJING, CITIES, FASHION, SHANGHAI

Mai, 29 2010

1 Comment »

: Dominic, Plastered’s creative dictator with one of the early design nicely made in China design.

: Plastered 8 shop in Nan Luo Gu Xiang in Beijing Gulou area.

: Plastered offices hidden in a typical Beijing hutong.

: At work in Plastered offices.

: Dominic at the entrance of the hutong where Plastered has its offices.

: Dominic Johnson-Hill in Nan Luo Gu Xiang Plastered shop.

: Plastered 8 shop interior.

: Tai Tai shop in Montmartre, Paris, France.

Nicely made in China product of the week is a T-shirt. The first Chinese street brand was started a few years ago in Beijing by an early school drop out from Surrey who says he ” never let his schooling get in the way of his education” quoting Mark Twain. Since he arrived in Beijing penniless he’s come a long way. Dominic Johnson-Hill self-proclaimed creative dictator of Plastered 8 tells NMiC the story in a fast-paced interview.

Dominic, how did Plastered 8 get its start?

I arrived in China at 20 after 3 years of travels around the world. I started the company on my own 4 years ago with the shop on Nan Luo Gu Xiang. It was the first clothing shop on the street. The concept was Read the rest of this entry »

beijing, fashion

CHOCOLATE-DESIGN AGENCY

mai 22nd, 2010 Posted in CITIES, DESIGN, SHENZHEN, WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Mai, 22 2010

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: A Chocolate designed Nicely Made in China Philips pink mobile phone.

: T&W 3G USB keys designed by Shenzhen-based Chocolate agency.

: The ebook seen by Chocolate for Aiboox.

: Chocolate designed LG blue tooth headphone.

: A T&W router nicely designed by the Chocolate agency.

: A nicely made in China design for a T&W camera.

: Valérie Nomain (in red), Chocolate designer in chief with her 4 design managers in Chocolate Shenzhen studio.

: Chocolate studios in Shenzhen.

This week Nicely Made in China introduces a new subject: consumer electronics design. What was once thought to be not so important is now a growing business. In order to understand what’s going on, NMiC turned to Shenzhen-based Valérie Nomain. Chocolate design director and general manager accepted to share her thoughts on the matter with us.

Valérie, Chocolate is one of the 6000 design agencies – architecture, web and industrial – that have sprouted up in the last few years in the Shenzhen area in Guangdong province. How did you start?

A few years ago I was working in China for Alcatel mobile phones marketing department and my real passion was design. In 2006 I decided to follow that passion Read the rest of this entry »

DESIGN, shenzhen, women_entrepreneurs

Nicely Made in China

News on China quality products, lifestyle, design and services.

NICOLAS FAVARD-JEWELLER

Mr. GAO ZHENMIN-LUTHIER

MALILIAN-FURNITURE DESIGN

SHANGHAI TRIO / FASHION & ACCESSORIES

ELISABETH KOCH-MILLINERY

EVERARD+WANG – JEWELLERY

BLUE SHANGHAI WHITE

LE FROMAGER DE PÉKIN

PLASTERED 8 T-SHIRTS

CHOCOLATE-DESIGN AGENCY

CATEGORY

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