Zuczug – colorful and comfy fabric

Sanlitun Village North has finally begun attracting customers now that new stores have opened. One recent example is Zuczug, a local designer brand established by Shanghai designer Wang Yiyang in 2002, which launched its early fall collection last week.

Autumn shoes and handbags

When Beijing is sunny, yet it’s dry and comfortable to walk around, you know the end of summer is near. For stores, that means the return of fur boots and dark leather bags.

Quality health-care products

The increasing demand for health supplements has led to every local pharmacy, supermarket and department store packing their shelves with a selection of vitamins, herbal medicines and related products. With so many choices, one may feel quite overwhelmed – especially when there are too many even for the stores’ staff to keep straight.

Preparing for the fall and the winter

Thousands of Western-educated Chinese young adults are moving back to China to build their careers in different areas, instilling new concepts into old industries – like fashion. Beijing Today spoke with some independent brands and designers to see what they have come for the cold season.

Artisan soap from Provence

France has a long history making quality natural soap. One of its famous brands, Pre de Provence, just entered China with the opening of a flagship store near The Place.

Functional Kitchenware from Taobao

In recent years, more and more unique kitchenware brands have entered the local market. Most of them are available at high-end department stores and cost a fortune.

Toy houses

The toy house at Gulou Dong Dajie is a popular hangout for teenagers and adults. Apart from automobile and plane models, it also has many timeless action figures, like Transformers, Barbie dolls, Spider-Man and Iron Man.

Popular Taiwanese deisgn store opens in Beijing

Taiwanese industrial designer Jeff Shi recently opened a branch of his Taipei-based design shop Dragonfly in Beijing, bringing the city an added touch of creativity.

Shop for the last month of summer

And just like that, as the calendar turns to August, the weather changes: gone are the unbearable humidity and heat – a sign that the summer of 2010 is on its last legs.

Modern and classic furniture from local designers

Fake antique furniture from Gaobeidian may look fine in most homes, but it isn’t the preferred choice of selective customers. With demand for classy, authentic pieces on the rise, more local designers are turning to modern designs and applying their vision to making functional, aesthetic pieces for homes and offices.