Posted on 31 July 2008 by admin
It’s 1 am and I just got off the phone with my agent in China. For the last 2 weeks I’ve been talking to him up to three four times a day 10AM, 10PM, 2AM, 8AM, and anytime in between. Then add email and instant messaging, we stay in touch like lovebirds. As JUZD is days from being an overnight success I feel as if I am the most unlucky man on the planet. It would be an overnight success to have your first collection in Holt Renfrew.
The shirts that was suppose to be in Holt Renfrew two weeks ago are still stuck at the Chinese border. It is exporting from one of the city that’s hosting the Olympics. The government is now examining every single package leaving China in that city. They are especially concern with apparel. To change their image they are cracking down on counterfeit apparel, knockoffs. They rejected the express shipment the first time because they didn’t recognize the logo. On the second try they are saying that the images are too violent and would not release the shipment.
My shirts are too violent? Well, maybe but what right do they have on censorship for Canada and US? How about the shirts that have pornography on it and swear words? It is aggression, not violence. It is art.
You would expect the country that’s importing the product to give you hassle not China that’s exporting. Maybe with the recent chemical toy paint issue still imprinted in our consciousness, they are overcompensating?
Going through customs should be a breeze. This is further proof that I’m the most unlucky guy on the planet. What are the odds that Beijing will have the Olympics around the same time that I need my shipment? This is the first time the Olympic games are being held in China in its 112 year history. Odds? Let’s say one month in 112 years (1 in 1344). For my Private Party in March, Toronto had one of its biggest snow storms in about 10 years. Odds? 1 day in 10 years (1 in 3650). And when I attended my first trade show, the Green Living Show, the TTC (Toronto Public Transit) went on strike for the exact two days of the show. Odds? two days in four years (they go on strike about every four years) (1 in 730). Total odds of all this happening? 1 in 1,815,072,000
All this happening in my first year you would think I would have thrown in the towel long time ago but nope. I’m pretty positive. Well, my first collection will be in Holt Renfrew. Besides, I really can’t continue to be this unlucky, think how easy things will be once this unluckiness is over.
Posted on 05 April 2008 by admin
CHIC clothing show (China International Clothing & Accessories Fair) is China’s version of MAGIC. MAGIC is North America’s largest clothing show where buyers and sellers meet. To compare the two I would simply describe it as this: Las Vegas is known for excess and larger than life but the Chinese did build the Great Wall!
The CHIC 2008 is China’s premiere clothing show and it’s already on its 16th show. It is the first event to be held in the New China International Exhibition Centre (NCIEC) with over 100,000 square metres. This was held from March 28-31, 2008. The NCIEC is Asia’s largest exhibition centre which started work in late 2001. It will host some of the Olympic Summer 2008 events. As I stare from outside it reminded me the Tian’anmen square with its large open space and wide structure. It conveys a sense of majesty and drama.
As I entered and started walking around I was quite taken away with the exhibits. This by far eclipses the show at MAGIC. The displays and areas were not that much larger than at MAGIC but the pure creativity and ingenuity was just spectacular. While at MAGIC it was one rectangular booth with wall enclosures and slightly different placements of table and chairs, each CHIC booth had a different theme and completely different layout with the table and chairs built into the theme.
This exhibit shows the non use of rectangular space. Two levels with a Greek island seashore villa theme.
This is Hazzys, a high end Chinese brand. Went with the simplicity design.
Nice concept in creating a 3D space.
The Chinese likes to knock off western brands. Does the Goldrooster logo reminds you of some other western brand?
Even the western brands were here like PONY. Let’s say they brought their close minded thinking MAGIC booth with them.
Kobron’s theme is an airport. Live models posing for pictures and showcasing their shirts all day long.
Simple concept manikins on the top level with vertical sliced photos on the bottom matched with the black shows a very powerful and authoritative feel.
I will post more amazing pictures. Stay tuned!
Posted on 02 April 2008 by admin
Beijing is a depressing city. Right as I got out of the gates of the railway station at midnight, I raced with the thousands of other travelers to the street to catch a cab. At every turn I was harassed with solicitors. With a frown and a beaten down posture sadly holding a pamphlet as if they were bagging for change or showing a picture of their lost child. Instead it’s for a hotel or another service of some sort.
It looked more like a car pileup then a taxi line.
Finally I got to the cab area after brushing off eight or nine solicitors, but it is the same here. I can see a sea of cabs inches apart fighting for passengers. It looked more like a car pileup than a taxi line. Even then hustlers approach me and try to negotiate a fixed rate double or triple the actual cost of the trip.
As I was traveling during the day I got a better look at Beijing. It was a rainy day and I thought the poor visibility was caused by mist of the
morning dew but only to realize it was the smog. All the buildings were tattooed in pollution and dirt, its windows bleeding with rust. Everywhere I look I see only grey rectangular buildings with grey rectangular balconies with grey rectangular doors and grey rectangular signs. The epitome of functional design with no respect paid to aesthetics. This reminds me of those Chinese food restaurants called something like “Wong’s Lucky Star Fast Yummy Tasty Fine Dining Chinese Food”
There is 48,000 sqm of exhibition space and over 1,100 exhibitors from 14 counties and regions.
I am here for the Intertextile Beijing Apparel Fabrics Fair March 27 – 29, 2008. It is China’s bi-annual gathering of fabric producers showcasing their latest technology and development. There is 48,000 sqm of exhibition space and over 1,100 exhibitors from 14 counties and regions. This is held in the old China International Exhibition Centre (CIEC). As you expected the CIEC consisted of large rectangular windowless buildings that looks like movie studios but the white pristine texture added a sense of cleanliness.
As I strolled around the fair I noticed a large exhibitor with bamboo stalk design. As I spoke to the agent I realized they mainly make their products out of nylon with only one bamboo nylon fabric. 
Bamboo is used very often for décor and design in the Chinese culture. I noticed this especially for restaurants. As I asked around I noticed not many Chinese fabric producers know of bamboo and even the information agent was perplexed about the fabric and couldn’t direct me to the any particular area. I did however meet a couple of suppliers that had a small offering of bamboo fabric.
…the most innovative use of bamboo is from a silk fabric company.
However the most innovative use of bamboo is from a silk fabric company. They developed a very nice silk bamboo composition fabric. I always liked the delicacy of silk but was worrisome of its fragility. With the bamboo it adds durability and softness while maintaining the sheen and airiness of silk. I can already think of a product this would be perfect for!
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