City’s fashionistas share their style secrets
Print Edition
Katerina Vasilyeva
Katerina Vasilyeva is a Russian graphic designer living in Shanghai. She enjoys designing books, especially limited editions where she can combine her creativity with her knowledge of the production process. Vasilyeva recently launched La Maglia, her own brand of accessories and lifestyle products. The brand’s collection includes stylish knit bags, bracelets and small home accessories.
My personal style is casual chic. Sometimes I like to choose clothes carefully to find interesting combination, but other times I’m just too lazy to think about what to wear and I feel fine and comfortable in jeans and t-shirts.
The best outfit I’ve worn is a beautiful Iceberg sheepskin coat with embroidered flowers on the sides during the very harsh winters back in Russia. It makes me miss winter in my hometown.
I follow the fashion trends by watching on the streets how other girls wear the same things in versatile ways. One trendy item I’ve been following is 1960s-style flared trousers. They were very trendy in Russia when I was at school. They were not comfortable but you just feel so cool.
If I had to limit my shopping to one neighborhood in Shanghai, I have to say it would be the former French concession area. I like to go check the small design boutiques for clothes, accessories and shoes.
My favorite brand is my own — La Maglia — which means “knitting” in Italian. Knitting has been my passion since childhood because I learnt how to knit from my grandma. I recently started to create a series of knitted accessories which includes bags, bracelets and necklaces.
The designer I most admire is Lena Petko who also happens to be a very good friend in Moscow. She is an architect, designer and owner of the accessory brand Pele.
The last item I added to my wardrobe was a very special and important dress: my wedding dress. It is still a secret, because according to ... tradition the groom cannot see the bride’s dress before the wedding day, yet it is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever had.
Shi Zhongyi
Shi Zhongyi is the director of Zy Dance Studio, a dance instruction center in Shanghai that offers classes in a variety of styles for dancers of all ages and skill levels. With an active work and social life, Shi needs a personal style that can transition from a ballet class to an event downtown. “Fashion, like dance, is about expressing yourself and feeling good,” he says.
My personal style is laidback and comfortable. I spend most of my time in sweatpants and a t-shirt in the dance studio, so when I go out I prefer something relaxed but tailored. My Armani jeans, a fitted T-shirt, and a blazer or leather jacket is my go-to outfit for autumn. A good pair of shoes — either Italian brown leather oxfords or Common Projects sneakers — are also important. I tend to gravitate toward smaller indie designers that offer a more unique and personal expression of style.
I usually shop when I travel. In Shanghai, I really like Project Aegis Co. They curate a really cool mix of men’s gear, from clothes and shoes to headphones and hip flasks. A lot of their international brands — such as Common Projects, Reigning Champ and life/after/denim — you can’t easily find elsewhere in Shanghai.
My most memorable fashion purchase was a pair of Jimmy Choo black tassel loafers. They’re totally not my usual style, but it’s fun to go for a different look every now and then. It’s like when you’re in costume on stage and get to take on a different persona.
My favorite fashion brand is not really important. I choose clothes that are comfortable and make me feel good, regardless of the brand. Hugo Boss and Alexander Wang fit my style. I also like locally based menswear brand S2VS. They have nice quality materials and great cutting.
My style icon is Johnny Depp. He exudes cool and is always true to himself as an artist and a human being.
The accessory I wear most is my watch. I was given my Uniform Wares quartz wristwatch as a gift. It’s very understated and contemporary, which suits me well. I didn’t know the brand before but apparently it was founded by two young British product designers who were inspired by British factory wall clocks.
The latest items I added to my wardrobe were some pieces I found at a vintage store in Tokyo. For working out, I recently tried some active gear from Lululemon. This Canadian brand is just entering the market in China and they have two showrooms so far.
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