Uber-luxury designer boutique Joyce (of Plaza 66 fame) is hardly known for its affordable clothing, but a visit to the Joyce Warehouse – which houses pieces by Oscar de la Renta, Philip Lim and Anna Sui – can unearth spectacular off-season bargains, with most items from a quarter to a third off.
On our visit, a stunning mid-calf houndstooth pencil skirt by Alexander McQueen was 1,940RMB, down from 6,900RMB. Other favourites included an ivory, ’70s-inspired dress by See By Chloé, complete with Broderie Anglaise detailing (740RMB, from 4,900RMB); a Jil Sander billowing knee-length wool skirt (1,770RMB, from 6,300RMB); and stacked peep-toe Mary Janes by Oscar de la Renta (1,180RMB, from 5,900RMB).
Men get a look-in, though the only designer in stock on our visit was Etro, with graphic print shirts (440RMB, from 2,900RMB) and dapper ties (310RMB, from 1,100RMB).
World renowned Hong Kong retailer JOYCE, known for being one of the city’s trendsetting stores, has finally opened its first store in the Chinese capital of Beijing. Situated in the luxurious upscale China World Shopping Mall, the store features two floors brimming with menswear and womenswear collections by a range of exclusive designers. For the special grand opening, special pieces were selected from the runway shows of Lanvin, Yohji Yamamoto, Haider Ackermann, Azzedine Alaïa amongst other designers.
This high-end Hong Kong department store Joyce's first discounted warehouse in Beijing. Designer clothes by Dries van Noten, Givenchy, Anna Sui, See by Chloe are all available for 50-70 percent off.
From the same stable as Lane Crawford and On Pedder, Joyce was flying the flag for international designers in Hong Kong 40 years before her counterparts. Such is its power, it paved the way to bring the first stores from fashion houses Alexander McQueen and Etro to Beijing. But, for the Joyce, conquering the mainland market was always the next step. Now, with a 20,0000 sqft store in China World Mall and über-covetable autumn/winter collections on display, it may do just that.
Pieces from Lanvin, Balmain and Haider Ackermann line the first floor; on the second, you’ll find clothes by Peter Pilotto, Ann Demeulemeester and The Row. The downside is that prices are steep – a typical spend of about a million RMB for the ‘average’ Joyce customer. For the casual browser, however, the Beijing branch boasts something unusual and – best of all – free. A unique gallery space within the store will showcase rotating exhibitions in photography, art and fashion. The line-up is due to change every three weeks, with Beijing’s own Yiqing Yin (see ‘Design for life’) currently installed.
Address: 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie
Shop 3L103-104, Beijing, China
