Design and fine dining flirting with fashion
Print Edition
A skilled linguist and author, with a nose for a fine wine and dining, He Lingzi also has a particular eye for French elegance and fashion. Zhu Qinyue, meanwhile, has a master’s degree in design and an architectural studio in Shanghai. He recently scooped the ‘best costume of the night’ award. Patsy Yang talks to both.
He Lingzi is chief education officer of Grapea & Co, the leading wine school in Shanghai. A Master of Wine candidate, she speaks fluent English, French, Italian, Mandarin and Cantonese. Having lived in Bordeaux for five years and traveled regularly all over the world enjoying the best in wine and gastronomy, she has co-authored wine books and designed wine courses for luxury brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, La Prairie and Helena Rubenstein.
My personal style is simple, bright, elegant, vintage sometimes, and playful if the occasion allows.
The best outfit I’ve ever worn for a special occasion was at Fête de la Fleur, one of the most important festivals/wine dinners in Bordeaux. My charming French host mother, who has given me so much support and love, lent me a black gown, simple and elegant, so French. It was during this truly memorable dinner with some of my most admired colleagues and friends that I wore this dress. A true highlight of my time in Bordeaux.
I don’t usually follow fashion trends. Clothes are a reflection of our values and lifestyles, of roles that we play or aspire to play. Why care about trends?
I usually shop for clothes and accessories in places I travel to. If I have time to plan ahead, I do research and list one or two neighborhoods that interest me. So clothes for me are souvenirs. Where I buy is important. With whom and at what occasion I wear matter too.
My favorite fashion brand is Valentino and the designers I most admire are John Galliano and Alexander McQueen.
The style icon I look up to is Kate Moss.
The last item I added to my wardrobe was a green silk cocktail dress.
The fashion item I’m eying next is a Burberry trench coat.
I collect books on wine, cooking and language learning.
My signature perfumes are Frederic Malle’s En Passant and Zarkoperfume’s Oud’ish. But I can hardly wear any since my days are filled with wine tasting classes and events.
The best souvenirs I brought home were local wines and food ingredients from different places so I can share with friends back home. Taste and smell take me back to places and moments. It’s time traveling in a way.
The most memorable places I have traveled in the past are Aero, a Danish island where I am sure Hans Christian Andersen took his inspirations, and makes me believe in fairy tales; and Salina, one of the Ionian islands off the Sicilian coast, where I first saw and smelled Caper flowers. Absolutely beautiful! And also Yushu village not far from Kunming in Yunnan Province, where my dear friend started his vineyard project and has his beautifully designed villa home is another memorable place.
The best thing about living in Shanghai is that I am always impressed by how much people are passionate about food and wine. I am lucky to work with some of the best wine professionals in China and also to collaborate with top brands on their wine tasting events and trainings such as Jaeger-LeCoultre and La Prairie. That’s when style comes in with my work, to teach people about lifestyle.
The last book I’ve read was “The Language of Food: A Linguist Read the Menu” by Dan Jurafsky.
Besides Shanghai, I would love to live in Honolulu, London or Sydney.
Zhu Qinyue, graduated from Tongji University and Politecnico di Milano with master’s degrees in interior design, set up his own studio in Shanghai in 2017 after working for a top multinational architecture firm for three years. He recently received the title of “best costume of the night” at the 30th White Dinner of Paris event in Shanghai.
My personal style is based on smart casual dressing principle. I usually dress myself with simplicity and comfort. Sometimes I like to mix different styles. For example, I like to put on some eye-catching details to make my outfit more fun.
The best outfit I’ve ever worn for a special occasion was at the 30th White Dinner of Paris event in Shanghai, and got the most votes for the best costume of the night. It was a surprise. That night, I had a resort feeling white suit with my own twist.
I do not follow trends too much and stay true to who I am.
I usually shop for clothes and accessories in Europe during sale seasons, since I don’t really have lots of time for shopping and wandering. Besides, what I find interesting is exploring vintage accessories in flea market or bazaar.
My favorite fashion brand is Celine, even though they don’t make a series for men.
The designer I most admire is Peter Marino. He is an architect and interior designer, however, he does have an influence on fashion industry.
I don’t have any special style icon. In my opinion, everyone’s style has something that I appreciate, but I never follow the trend blindly.
The last item I added to my wardrobe was a linen Safari jacket with lots of pockets and comfortable to wear. And it can be worn over many seasons a year.
I collect neckties and pocket scarves.
My grooming staples are basic facial cleaner and moisturizer.
My signature perfume is Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue.
The best souvenir I brought home was a handmade glass wall lamp from Murano island, Italy.
The most memorable place I have traveled in the past is Iceland.
The best thing about living in Shanghai is to experience different cultures and different ages.
The last book I read was “Architecture: Concept and Notation” by Bernard Tschumi.
Besides Shanghai, the city I would love to live in is Paris, without doubt before I turn 40. After my forties, if there is no unexpected change, it will still be Paris.
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