Poor Huang Yibo, We understand

It seems like the cool thing to do these days for fenqing  kids is to tease this little kid on the internet for being patriotic. 13yr old, Huang Yibo has become a China star from  pictures that appeared depicting him looking like a young political leader with a 5 stripe armband. Red stripe armbands represent leader rank in Chinese schools and it has never been heard of to have 5 stripes.

Having lived our youth as Scoutmasters in the Boy Scouts much like this adorable little leader, we do not share the common public sentiment. We love this kid’s earnestness, and wish we could have been such an overachiever.

You guys just teased a baby shark…

…And that kid is going to remember every word of what you said. This 5 stripe armband youth leader may be just a kid today. But considering his current trajectory, it won’t be long before he has enough political juice to rein down fire and brimstone. Mark my words.

We prefer to hedge our bet and say that we pledge allegiance to this little guy. First step is by buying one of these shirts, and wearing it very un-ironically. We suggest you do too.

Homegrown China Styles

Once again, the superstar design minds in Beijing have generated a great clothing brand. NLGX draws its inspiration from the distinct flavors of China. They bring together the coolest bits of found design. Anything you buy here today is certain to become your favorite nostalgic item in a few year’s time.

Recycled Blue and White Bianzhidai Bags

Not only does NLGX use some of China’s best recycled iconography, they also use recycled materials from China’s signature sights. Like those blue-and-white-striped bianzhidai bags that are a common sight at the train station.  Those bags carry the hopes and dreams of migrant China on their voyage into the big cities. Re-purposed for your essentials.

Military themed magazines always catch my eye on the China newsstands. This one makes a formidable impression. Solid. Waterproofed newspaper lining completes the ultracool package.

PEK vs SHA

Equipping the combatants of China’s biggest intercity rivalry, NLGX has created apparel and accessories to let you rep your city – lest anyone forget which side of the battle you’re on. (Shanghai, represent!)

Taking after my own heart, NLGX has an airport fetish. Airport and metro styling are right up my alley, and I’ve had my eye on this luggage-tag style T-shirt for a little while.  They have a big sale going on these days – I think it is time to make it mine.

]]> http://taobaofieldguide.com/cool-stuff-to-buy-on-taobao/nlgx-brand-clothing-loves-chinas-recycled-design/feed 1 http://taobaofieldguide.com/cool-stuff-to-buy-on-taobao/simplecut-clothing-from-beijing http://taobaofieldguide.com/cool-stuff-to-buy-on-taobao/simplecut-clothing-from-beijing#comments Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:13:02 +0000 The Field Guide http://taobaofieldguide.com/?p=3582

China’s Simplecut Fashion Label

Reader Veronique just gave us a hot Field Report on simplecut – a small homegrown Chinese fashion label.

I won’t embarrass myself by trying to speak on women’s fashion. But I can tell you that the clothes are purrty. As is their model girl. She’s got those classic good looks, which I don’t usually go for, but she adds 10 cups of smile and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling.

And their photos would make much better postcards than whatever is currently sold in the Forbidden City gift shop.

Of course, these kids are from Beijing, just like all good Chinese fashion. I wonder how she managed to change clothes in the Forbidden City so many times.

That settles it. I am going to quit my job and join a Beijing art school. These kids take the best field trips.

simplecut

Actually, I Hate You has been on the scene for a little while. Their Taobao shop opened in November 2008. (And was first brought to my attention by my good buddy over at 56minus1.com in April). This intrepid little squad of art-school graduates is bringing a breath of fresh air to Taobao in the form of original clothing styles with generous fashion-photo examinations of each piece.

Like everything unique/alternative/creative in China, these guys are from Beijing. They make a limited run of these boutique styles, run all over Beijing taking photos and crystalize the essence of each item with a poem.

I have prepared for myself a pink lace dress jacket.
Small glittering high heels, mesh stockings. Black tie.
I just painted some very pretty lipstick.
Adequate.
We always are together, we naturally a pair.
Do you understand?

This girl seems to be at the center of it all. She was unavilable for Wangwang Chat – probably busy skipping through puddles for the photoshoot of her latest creation. It seems like she is having a lot of fun, even if not she’s making a lot of money. Her transaction records show only 51 sales so far, and she seems to be spending half that buying other clothes on Taobao.

How about supporting some of China’s creative youngsters?

If you learned Chinese the same way I did, the Practical Chinese Reader has had a big impact on your psyche. The adventures of Palanka and Gubo will forever be fondly remembered. Like that time they… uhh.. went to the … uhh.. to the park. Okay their adventures were not so memorable. But they captured that familiar language-textbook aesthetic with basic line drawings and completely pedestrian scenarios.  

Chinese students had a similar book which inspires the same kind of nostalgia. Their characters were called Lilei 系列 and Hanmeimei 韩美美. I think they are cousins of Palanka and Gubo, because they look exactly alike. Some artists have taken their memories of these two and turned it into a complete nostalgia box set.  

You can capture the magic too, on Taobao

This sweet sticker book is probably the best choice. It has been retrofitted with all the hottest Internet phrases.

Sticker book – 28rmb

Notebooks are also a great choice. A great way to keep your new hanzi straight.

Sweet Notebooks – 45rmb

You can also show off your language-learning buddies with this shirt. Guaranteed to make you as happy as this girl is. 

Han Meimei T-shirt – 199rmb

Well, they aren’t Palanka and Gubo, but they are pretty damn close.