Why Designers Thrive Here

Located about a two-hour drive from Hong Kong and a five-hour flight from Tokyo, the ancient city of Guangzhou also serves as the southern gateway to China. This region has a long history of thriving textile industries, including silk, linen, and cotton. Today, Guangzhou is leveraging this tradition as a powerful asset to achieve significant growth.



At the heart of this advancement and drawing the most attention is the T.I.T (Textile Industry Tag) Creative Industry Zone, which opened in 2010. This theme park, once a textile factory, allows visitors to experience the area's past while offering a glimpse into contemporary Chinese fashion. Amidst the lush, expansive grounds, you'll find fashionable cafes and restaurants. However, a must-visit is the select shop "THE FASHION DOOR (一尚門)". This establishment primarily showcases works by Chinese designers.



Perhaps due to the high concentration of people involved in the fashion industry, Guangzhou is home to many young designers who, after studying and gaining experience abroad, return to their hometown with aspirations of global success. Manchit Au, the designer behind "RICOSTRU," a brand established in 2011 and featured at the aforementioned shop, is one such individual. Having studied design in Italy, she is now based in her native Guangzhou. With a concept of "luxury basics," her designs, characterized by simple elegance and sophisticated details, are pushing the boundaries of new-era Chinese design, transcending time and culture.





Indeed, T.I.T plays a crucial role for these emerging designers. Since 2012, it has successfully hosted the international fashion week and fashion award "T-FORCE," both held at this venue.



T-FORCE is China's first independently conceived fashion competition, a project dedicated to discovering talented independent designers from around the world. Ten finalists are selected from applicants to compete in the final round. The winner receives support from "TUDOO," a Paris-based press agency, including participation in trade shows during Paris Fashion Week, media promotion, and assistance with buyer negotiations. This year, among the finalists, which included a Japanese designer, the winning duo was "Nova Chiu," by Nova Chiu (China) and Geoffrey M. Archer (USA). Their future, like Guangzhou's growing influence in the global fashion business, is certainly one to watch.



*1

T.I.T (Textile Industry Tag) Creative Industry Zone

397 Xingang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

+86-20-8422-1810

http://cntit.hkctc.org/



*2

THE FASHION DOOR (一尚門)

B3 Building, 397 Xingang Zhong Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

+86-20-3441-5170

http://www.tfd.hk/



*3

RICOSTRU

http://www.ricostru.com/en/bio.html



*4

T-FORCE

http://www.tudoo.cc/TFORCE/2013/index_en.html

From Japanese Cars to Cuisine and Design Hotels

One thing surprised me on the flight to Guangzhou: the plane was full of Japanese businessmen. In fact, major Japanese automakers like Nissan, Toyota, and Honda have factories here. While Guangzhou may not be a familiar tourist destination, it is a place deeply connected to our daily lives.



Upon closer inspection, its charms are numerous. Guangzhou is historically and globally renowned as the heart of Cantonese cuisine. Golf courses are located not far from the city center. Furthermore, the city boasts striking modern architecture, including the Canton Tower, Guangzhou Opera House, Liede Bridge, New Library, and International Finance Center, as well as the scenic Pearl River waterfront.



Naturally, the fashion power derived from its textile industry heritage is also a point of interest. On May 16th, the 2013AW collection of a globally recognized brand was unveiled in Guangzhou. The brand in question is "YMOYNOT." This new label is a collaboration between Japan's esteemed Yohji Yamamoto, Mao Ji Hong, designer of the Guangzhou-based brand "EXCEPTION" favored by China's President Xi Jinping's wife, and Stanley Wong, a renowned Hong Kong designer. The name "YMOYNOT" reportedly derives from "why not?", expressing a spirit of challenge in fashion. Its first store has already opened at Guangzhou's GRANDVIEW MALL. Mr. Yamamoto himself attended the collection's venue, igniting enthusiasm among the guests. The show was a resounding success, providing a tangible sense of Yamamoto's strong support within mainland China.

Stanley Wong (left), Yohji Yamamoto (second from right), and Mao Ji Hong (right), designer of "EXCEPTION," at the "YMOYNOT" show.

This fashion show was actually held at the W Guangzhou hotel to coincide with the opening of the hotel brand's first venture in mainland China, honoring the local fashion industry's contributions. Arnaud Champenois, Senior Director of Brand Management for W Hotels, commented on the fashion show, the highlight of the opening event: "The globally renowned Yohji Yamamoto is a star in China. As a legendary figure who has been a fashion icon for 25 years, he has already established his position. This time, he has created a new brand in collaboration with Asian designers. I believe this is a very interesting development."



Speaking of buzz, the arrival of W Guangzhou has generated significant attention. W Hotels, born in 1998 on Lexington Avenue in New York, can be considered a pioneer of design hotels. Beyond its visually stylish aspects, a key characteristic is the unwavering commitment shared by all staff to "provide guests with an extraordinary experience." This commitment fosters a sophisticated yet warm "Whatever/Whenever" service (24-hour request fulfillment), elevating the hotel from a mere place to rest to a comfortable and special destination.



W Hotels transforms spaces into vibrant social hubs, not just for travelers but also for locals, driven by its unique approach represented by the three pillars: FASHION, DESIGN, and MUSIC. Believing these elements are essential for establishing a rich lifestyle, W Hotels reflects these values throughout its properties. With meticulous attention to exterior and interior design, and all music curated by a global music director, guests are inspired to embrace fashion and immerse themselves in uplifting music to fully enjoy their stay. W Hotels' values are also evident in its unique collaborations across various fields.



*1

GRANDVIEW MALL

228 Tianhe Road, Tianhe, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Tel. +86-40-0706-6633

http://www.zhengjia.com.cn/



*2

W GUANGZHOU

26 Xian Cun Road, Pearl River New Town, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, CNGP 510623 China

Tel. +86-20-6628-6628

http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/

The Concept: "Global Tapestry"

For instance, W Hotels has launched "FASHION NEXT," a program supporting emerging designers who will shape the future of fashion, and hosts events in New York during Fashion Week. In the realm of design, in collaboration with Miami Design, they established the "W Hotels Designers of the Future" award, seeking truly groundbreaking design talent. Furthermore, in music, they organize the "W Hotels & burn studios DJ Lab," bringing together aspiring DJs from around the globe.



This commitment to supporting and nurturing new talent is a testament to W Hotels' culture, which places great importance on these three fields. It is a destination for those who, even far from home, wish to enjoy their personal style amidst chic, sophisticated urban design and immerse themselves in music that uplifts the spirit.





There is a reason why W Hotels chose Guangzhou as the site for its mainland China debut, preceding even Beijing and Shanghai. "Guangzhou might be less known than Shanghai or Beijing. However, it's a crossroads where East meets West. We felt it was a fantastic place to make our official entry into mainland China. Therefore, the concept for W Guangzhou is 'Global Tapestry,' incorporating designs influenced by various cultures to express the vibrant individuality of Guangzhou, China," says Champenois. "It has its own design community and is also a city with a rich tradition. That's what attracted us. We can feel China's power here."



Guangzhou is a unique city where the traditional, with its historic Peking Opera stages, charming dim sum teahouses, and antique shops, intersects with the rapidly developing new metropolis. Its open-mindedness, welcoming new influences while honoring tradition, its cosmopolitan air similar to Hong Kong and Taiwan, and its current stage of maturation likely appealed to W Hotels. "It's important to always be a pioneer," Champenois adds. "By attracting people interested in W Hotels from both within China and abroad, we can also serve as a 'Creative Energy Center.' We believe we have the power to even transform the city's atmosphere."



Through the medium of hotels, W Hotels has consistently created new trends. Its entry into Guangzhou has undoubtedly impressed upon the world that this is a city worthy of attention. The future of Guangzhou promises to be increasingly fascinating.