The second part of the series of Chinese-inspired design in North America, explores some distinct stationery and fashion items. Fête Chinoise also collaborated on some projects with partners in all three categories of stationery, sports and fashion. If you want to nominate products inspired by Chinese culture, that are well-designed, please share with us for a chance to be considered in the next design annual.
Read MoreVancouver, BC. In the drawer of the wooden nightstand, you will find a small blue coloured hardcover book titled The Lost Horizon by James Hilton. The story of the Shangri-La brand is inspired by the one in the book, a mythical utopian lamasery located high in the mountains of Tibet where people do not age and are detached from any woes or worries. In a dream world of beauty, rivers, streams, abundant fruits and thriving nature, there are breathtaking landscapes — beyond the book, this is certainly a fitting description for beautiful and lush Vancouver, where the Shangri-La hotel is nestled.
Read MoreCanada celebrated its in-person comeback of the most fashionable night in, at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards on October 15th, 2022, which paused for a year due to the pandemic and had a virtual show in 2020. Nominees, Honourees, Sponsors, and Guests dressed in Canadian labels to toast some of the nation's most talented creators ad artists in the fashion industry.
Read MoreThe Bopomofo pop-up was held inside Kiu Restaurant in Downtown Markham yesterday, with Philip Wang and Eric Wang. In Edition No. 6 of Fête Chinoise Magazine (Time + Tempo), we featured a piece on the concept of recreating nostalgia at his new cafe, Bopomofo. At the time, the pandemic had shut down, much of the hospitality and food industry and travel was halted, but we managed to get a great story from Phil on his inspirations behind his new venture.
Read MoreThe beauty of Chinese heritage is a fascinating source of inspiration for designers across disciplines. Modern design has the ability to rejuvenate cultural heritage and traditional handcrafts, connecting today’s dialogue with the past. In this editorial, we introduce some interesting designs and products that are inspired by Chinese cultural elements, preserving heritage with design.
Read MorePrint is for from being obsolete. Beautiful photo books have become collectors items and coveted print pieces that capture the spirit of collective memory. Celebrated photographer, Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze, launched a brand new book and solo exhibition, Thirty-six Views of Lion Rock 獅子山三十六景. It was unveiled at Blue Lotus Gallery in Hong Kong from September 8th to October 9th, 2022.
Read MoreHave you seen this unique numbering system at restaurants and markets in Hong Kong or other Chinese cities? These are Suzhou numerals, one of the ancient Chinese numbering styles. Today, only retro institutions and grocery shops in Hong Kong would still list their prices in Suzhou numbers — but now you’ll know how to read all the symbols after reading this article!
Read MoreAs purveyors of cultural connections, you might often find yourself in a position where you are searching for visually inspiring pieces when decorating your home or office. For many diaspora families, this can become a complex exercise, depending if you are starting with a brand new blank canvas or negotiating with the existing landscape of both clutter and collections already in the space.
Read MoreIf you had to name one of the most memorable scenes from the 2018 rom-com Crazy Rich Asians, the fervent mahjong game between Eleanor Young and Rachel Chu (played by Michelle Yeoh and Constance Wu respectively), would be at the top of many people's lists. What looks like a beautiful mahjong club set in a traditional Chinese courtyard was, in actuality, the majestic UNESCO heritage site-turned-boutique hotel Cheong Fatt Tze, located in Penang, Malaysia.
Read MoreVivienne Tam is a fashion designer that intentionally bridges China and the West in her work, exploring beauty and wonder in our diverse shared cultures. Now she's bridging her own fashion voice with the recently trending world of metaverse and NFTs. Her new collection on the runway at New York Fashion Week is a fun and colourful bash, incorporating instances of untamed collisions of apes to mahjong tiles, pixels and flashy hex tones on fabric.
Read More‘Painting' with sugar is an age-old edible art that never goes out of favour. The artist begins by simmering down brown sugar, granulated sugar and maltose until they turn into liquid. Once the concoction is ready, the artist quickly scoops up the syrup with a metal spoon to begin forming designs on a metal or stone surface.
Read MoreWe take a moment to remember Queen Elizabeth II. Despite any difference in views or mixed feelings about history, it is an inseparable fact that many Canadians of Chinese descent, especially those who grew up in colonial Hong Kong, have encountered the presence and spirit of Queen Elizabeth II in their lifetimes.
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