The Conversation
Beijing’s fashion scene is burgeoning as quickly as the nation’s economic boom is, and just incase you haven’t been able to keep up with all that’s happening amid the fashion scene here, a wonderful compendium for all that glitters in Beijing has emerged. AnywearStyle and AnyShopStyle.cn are names that aren’t so difficult to remember.
Beijing based editor Taschima Allen caught up with Alice McInerney, founder of AnyWearStyle and AnyShopStyle.cn, an online boutique that features an eclectic blend of International and Chinese fashion designers.
Tell everyone your name and your hometown.
I'm Alice McInerney and I'm from London.
Tell us about life here in Beijing... i.e., what you do and how you spend your time in the city.
I'm a fashion editor and run my own company - a bilingual China-centric fashion website called AnyWearStyle.com and an online store called AnyShopStyle.cn selling a mix of Chinese and international labels.
I’m also fashion editor for Time Out Beijing, and freelance for lots of publications including Wallpaper*, Style.com and NOWNESS focusing on the fashion and design scene in China.
Are you working on any projects right now?
My company is taking up a lot of my time! We're currently working on a few crossover projects including a charity project we're really excited to be involved with, and a big event scheduled to take place towards the end of the year.
Tell us about your website: AnyWearStyle and AnyShopStyle.cn.
How it all got started.
I was researching an article back in September 2009 on emerging Chinese designers, and found no resources in either English or Chinese, so I decided to create my own. I launched AnyWearStyle.com with my Chinese business partner Li Yang as a daily bilingual news source for all things related to fashion in China - from emerging talents to the most pioneering events throughout China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. We also feature international stories relevant to our Chinese readership too, and have over 30 contributors across the globe.
We launched AnyShopStyle.cn, our online store, last September at Beijing Design Week. We took over a disused auto factory in the hutongs surrounding Qianmen with some of our favourite boutiques including Dongliang Studio and Fei Space, who were bringing Topshop to China for the first time.
We're really excited as we're soon to be launching the second version of both sites, which will feature lots more brands and new features.
Why is Beijing so unique?
It’s such an eclectic mix of old and new. I love the fact that I can start the day having baozi (steamed buns) across the street from my apartment, and finish the day at the world’s first 3D fashion event sitting opposite Tilda Swinton. At the start of each day I never know who I’ll meet or what the day will bring.
What’s your favorite thing about this city?
It’s a pretty standard one, but I love exploring the hutongs by bicycle (or when lazy on the back of a motorbike!) and discovering different hole-in-the-wall eateries.
Your favorite place in the city is…
Fragrant Hills and preferably in autumn. Everyone needs an escape route from the city sometimes, and the park is completely transformed when it is covered by a blanket of red leaves.
Three reasons people should visit Beijing are…
- The history – from the Forbidden City to Tiananmen Square the city is steeped in culture. And if it gets too much, you can toboggan down the Great Wall at Mutianyu!
- The food! From Beijing duck to sweltering hotpot it’s a great place for foodies.
- The arts – from artists, to designers to musicians there’s so much emerging creativity.
Three places people should visit after they arrive are…
- Behai park (or indeed any park or square after dark) to watch the old folk ballroom dancing to techno music. They are always incredibly friendly, and there’s nothing better than being out-danced by a 90 year old.
- 798 art district – while purists argue it’s become too touristy in recent years, it’s a great way to spend a (free) afternoon wandering around different galleries set in old military factory buildings still emblazoned with Communist slogans.
- Hop on a bicycle and explore! Particularly the hutongs surrounding the Lama Temple and up to the Drum and Bell towers – a great way to really see the city.
For more info on Beijing's Fashion Scene, visit http://anywearstyle.com/
