The fashionable district
By Fei Lai |
March 28, 2011, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN an old factory building meets the fashion industry, it becomes the story of Shanghai Fashion Center, the emerging fashion hot spot in Shanghai.
Located on Yangshupu Road in Yangpu District, it is a redevelopment of a historical textile factory on the banks of Huangpu River.
Previously serving as the Shanghai factory for Japanese companies, the property is one of the earliest buildings constructed by foreign investors in the city.
The renovated venue is designed with red bricks reminiscent of the architectural style of Shanghai houses from the previous century. The entire venue measures 143,000 square meters and has been partitioned into several function areas including a fashion showroom, outlets, designer offices, restaurants and a hotel.
"The factory is a living record of the development of the textile industry in past decades," said Li Yaosheng, board chairman of Shanghai Shiqimian Investment and Development Co Ltd, SFC's developer.
"Red bricks contrasting with the high-rises on the other side of the bank have formed an enlightened interaction between modern times and history, and a dialogue between tradition and culture."
Prior to renovation, the old cotton and textiles factory with a 90-year history appeared to be a desolate place in Li's eyes. To preserve its industrial culture, only restoration and no demolition was allowed.
"If we don't make use of it properly, it is a land without vitality. I'm relieved when seeing it being developed into a great combination of protection and development."
SFC is expected to open to the public in September. By that time, it will house a large number of fashion outlets along with a convention center, designer offices, an entertainment complex, a hotel and a parking lot with 1,100 spaces.
More than 20 mainstream fashion brands have shown interest in settling down at the outlets.
Li regards the venue as a complement to the district's regular shopping malls and feels that it adds diversity and brand culture to consumers' shopping experiences.
To extend the shoppers' visit, an entertainment complex along the banks of the river will house an array of international cuisine and clubs.
A ferry from the center of the city will be organized and surely become a must-do attraction for all tourists visiting the city.
In fact, the center's multi-functional showroom with a building area of 9,500 square meters has already been under trial operation since last May. Being the venue for Shanghai Fashion Week, the showroom is equipped with high-end lighting and audio systems, and has capacity for up to 1,000 people.
According to Li, the showroom is the largest professional showroom in Asia. Li could not be more willing to put the venue as the sixth sacred fashion spot in the world after New York, Paris, London, Milan and Tokyo.
"We've tried hard to collect details about big fashion show venues in these popular cities, only to find a lack of professional fashion showrooms," Li said. "Many of them are just like Shanghai New International Expo Center close to Longyang Road in Pudong. The stages are not fixed and professional."
In contrast, the one at SFC is versatile. It can be adapted to hold a fashion show, a conference, a concert, an annual party or a new product launch. Even foreign trade and e-commerce could be realized here in the future.
"It is unnecessary to have such a multi-functional showroom in Singapore as it only has one season," Li said. "But in Shanghai, where four seasons shift naturally, it demands a refined venue to give the city a hit of fashion."
In Li's eyes, Shanghai's unique location and its diversity and internationalization offers the best conditions for the fashion industry.
"Look at Xintiandi, where shikumen buildings can become fashion itself," Li said. "So can the old factory."
SFC's significance to Yangpu is obvious.
The old factory as well as Yangpu Power Plant and Yangpu Waterworks are included in the birthplace of Chinese industry.
Li believes the presence of the SFC has greatly contributed to turning the industry-oriented Yangpu into a more fashionable district.
"You will never see so many models, celebrities and luxury cars gathering at one venue in Yangpu," Li said. "While adding a highlight to the district and helping it promote itself on the world stage, it contributes to the local government's fiscal revenue."
Having been dealing with the industry since 1968, Li commented that he is creating something that has never been seen before.
"Every morning when I wake up, I'm thinking about how to welcome the day with full energy," Li said. "Every night, however, I'm eager to prepare myself to handle tomorrow."
Located on Yangshupu Road in Yangpu District, it is a redevelopment of a historical textile factory on the banks of Huangpu River.
Previously serving as the Shanghai factory for Japanese companies, the property is one of the earliest buildings constructed by foreign investors in the city.
The renovated venue is designed with red bricks reminiscent of the architectural style of Shanghai houses from the previous century. The entire venue measures 143,000 square meters and has been partitioned into several function areas including a fashion showroom, outlets, designer offices, restaurants and a hotel.
"The factory is a living record of the development of the textile industry in past decades," said Li Yaosheng, board chairman of Shanghai Shiqimian Investment and Development Co Ltd, SFC's developer.
"Red bricks contrasting with the high-rises on the other side of the bank have formed an enlightened interaction between modern times and history, and a dialogue between tradition and culture."
Prior to renovation, the old cotton and textiles factory with a 90-year history appeared to be a desolate place in Li's eyes. To preserve its industrial culture, only restoration and no demolition was allowed.
"If we don't make use of it properly, it is a land without vitality. I'm relieved when seeing it being developed into a great combination of protection and development."
SFC is expected to open to the public in September. By that time, it will house a large number of fashion outlets along with a convention center, designer offices, an entertainment complex, a hotel and a parking lot with 1,100 spaces.
More than 20 mainstream fashion brands have shown interest in settling down at the outlets.
Li regards the venue as a complement to the district's regular shopping malls and feels that it adds diversity and brand culture to consumers' shopping experiences.
To extend the shoppers' visit, an entertainment complex along the banks of the river will house an array of international cuisine and clubs.
A ferry from the center of the city will be organized and surely become a must-do attraction for all tourists visiting the city.
In fact, the center's multi-functional showroom with a building area of 9,500 square meters has already been under trial operation since last May. Being the venue for Shanghai Fashion Week, the showroom is equipped with high-end lighting and audio systems, and has capacity for up to 1,000 people.
According to Li, the showroom is the largest professional showroom in Asia. Li could not be more willing to put the venue as the sixth sacred fashion spot in the world after New York, Paris, London, Milan and Tokyo.
"We've tried hard to collect details about big fashion show venues in these popular cities, only to find a lack of professional fashion showrooms," Li said. "Many of them are just like Shanghai New International Expo Center close to Longyang Road in Pudong. The stages are not fixed and professional."
In contrast, the one at SFC is versatile. It can be adapted to hold a fashion show, a conference, a concert, an annual party or a new product launch. Even foreign trade and e-commerce could be realized here in the future.
"It is unnecessary to have such a multi-functional showroom in Singapore as it only has one season," Li said. "But in Shanghai, where four seasons shift naturally, it demands a refined venue to give the city a hit of fashion."
In Li's eyes, Shanghai's unique location and its diversity and internationalization offers the best conditions for the fashion industry.
"Look at Xintiandi, where shikumen buildings can become fashion itself," Li said. "So can the old factory."
SFC's significance to Yangpu is obvious.
The old factory as well as Yangpu Power Plant and Yangpu Waterworks are included in the birthplace of Chinese industry.
Li believes the presence of the SFC has greatly contributed to turning the industry-oriented Yangpu into a more fashionable district.
"You will never see so many models, celebrities and luxury cars gathering at one venue in Yangpu," Li said. "While adding a highlight to the district and helping it promote itself on the world stage, it contributes to the local government's fiscal revenue."
Having been dealing with the industry since 1968, Li commented that he is creating something that has never been seen before.
"Every morning when I wake up, I'm thinking about how to welcome the day with full energy," Li said. "Every night, however, I'm eager to prepare myself to handle tomorrow."
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