? ?
CITYLIFE / Shopping
Italian exclusively
By Nishita Mehta-Jasani (That's Shanghai)
Updated: 2007-08-08 10:10
Tucked away behind leafy foliage on Yongjia Lu, an enchanting French
villa plays host to an exclusive collection of Italian labels and
designer furs, items normally found on the Bund or at Plaza 66.
?
The first-floor showroom of Helen Tu's store EFBE (European Foreign Brand
Entrance) displays a swanky (albeit expensive) collection of fur coats,
wraps, boleros and shrugs made from chinchilla, mink, beaver and fox 鈥�
each piece unique and hand-crafted with frontline designs and stylish
cuts.
?
EFBE, a member of the Purple Club for exclusive international fur
boutiques, carries two brands-Henry Fischer from Italy (an erstwhile
producer for Fendi) and Beautifully Canadian (the designer brand of the
Canadian Fur Council).
?
While animal interest groups the world over are campaigning against fur
products, Teresa Eloy, representative of the Canadian Fur Council, says
Beautifully Canadian is "very eco-friendly", noting the company's strict
standards for animal trapping and support of Canadian Indian communities
for whom this is a livelihood. Tu adds that "the demand in China is very
strong", given its resurgence in international couture. "I recently sold
one coat for RMB 1,000,000," says the spunky entrepreneur, whose furs
range in price from RMB 30,000 -1,000,000.
?
EFBE also carries a small selection of cashmere sweaters for men (from
RMB 3,000 to RMB 5,000), clothes from Portofino Piazette, swimwear and
lingerie from Parah, and children's clothing by Nouveau. Not all clothes
are readily available and you might have to place an order, but an inner
showroom features a sample collection from boutique Italian labels for
custom-made clothes which are delivered in two weeks.
?
Be that as it may, Tu, who spent several years in Italy and speaks the
language, says selling fashion is a means to an end. "Chinese people,
especially in smaller cities, have lots of money but they don't know what
to do with it," she says. "I want to be a bridge between Western and
Chinese culture, and want people to understand the importance of a great
lifestyle". Every Friday she opens her villa to customers and friends for
wine and cheese parties, with the aim of spreading her motto of qualita
'della vita-enjoying a quality life.
?
EBFE, The Villa
Location: 630 Yongjia Lu
Tel: 021 54904510
Website: www.efbe.cn
?
?
Feature ?
Pilgrimage to Tibet If you want to get a detailed Travel Handbook to
Tibet and know more interesting tour routes leading to this divine place.
Please click here!
Yunnan New Film Project Ten female directors from China! Ten unique
sights from mysterious Yunnan Province!Yunnan New Film Project,Travel
with the film.Wanna know more? Please click here!
Editors' Picks ?
* Master storyteller has something to say
* Lookng after your skin naturally
* Evocative scents in a glass of wine
* Go on a shopping spree to discount stores
* Teatime!
Beijing Guide ?
Eating out: Simply Dali-cious
Bars&Cafes: Catch underground bands
Weekend&Holiday: Pet paradise
Shopping: Ice up your world
What's on: Beijing pulls the plug
Shanghai Guide ?
Eating out: An institution in the making
Bars&Cafes: The new money
Weekend&Holiday: Band of gypsies
Shopping: Chinese made delicacy
What's on: Teenage wasteland
Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin online, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing,
No comments:
Post a Comment