THINK different — Shanghai is.

The city isn’t merely welcoming more stores; it’s inventing arenas of possibility. Walk its streets and you’ll feel it: vast flagships that invite wonder, first-ever concepts that spark curiosity, hybrid spaces where you don’t just shop — you live, laugh, capture the moment. It’s commerce re-imagined as a collective experience.

From the bold lines of Seoul’s hottest streetwear to the clean precision of New York’s finest design, every new arrival is a testament to Shanghai’s role as a launchpad for the future. Even dining is reborn — Cantonese classics, refined and reinvented.

In a marketplace this demanding, only the extraordinary survives. Here, brands test their scale, craft their stories and build immersive worlds — because in Shanghai, settling for “good” isn’t an option. It has to be insanely great.

Musinsa Standard

December 14 witnessed the arrival of global fashion retail platform, Musinsa Standard — Musinsa’s first international flagship — at Parkson Huaihai in Shanghai.

Founded by South Korean high school students in 2001, MUSINSA is now South Korea’s top fashion e-commerce site, with over 8,000 companies offering diverse styles.

Stretching 1,421 square meters across two floors, this isn’t merely a sprawling retail space — it stands among the brand’s top five largest stages worldwide.

More than size, it represents the ignition of Musinsa’s global expansion. Shanghai serves as the launchpad where innovation meets ambition, setting the pace for what comes next.

Musinsa Standard embraces a “Total Look” philosophy, assembling complete outfits around distinctive themes — urban commuter wear, neo-punk edge and street-style flair.

Rather than merchandising single items, the store delivers nearly 1,500 garments and accessories as head-to-toe ensembles, so visitors can move straight from inspiration to checkout.

The 1,421-square-meter flagship unfolds over two floors: the first floor dedicated to women’s collections — spotlighting global trends like the “urban nomad” aesthetic — and the second floor split into a “contemporary urban” zone of timeless staples and a “workwear & denim” zone that fuses function with fashion.

Immersive new-media art defines the environment: three vast LED walls project brand stories while infinite reflections in mirrored surfaces amplify the spectacle.

With style and pricing that have earned it the nickname “the Korean Uniqlo,” Musinsa Standard proves that great design and value can coexist.

And this is just the beginning — Musinsa Store, just opened on Anfu Road, is bringing 60 top fashion and sports labels under one roof.

Address: 1-2/F, Parkson, 918 Huaihai Rd M. 淮海中路918号百盛商场1-2楼

Mmlg

Mmlg arrives in Shanghai with its first flagship at Qibao Link Plaza — coming hot on the heels of its nationwide debut in Beijing in August, and signaling the next phase of China’s offline revolution.

Born under South Korea’s 87MM Co Ltd, Mmlg champions a gender-neutral streetwear ethos: T-shirts, sweatshirts, pants, bags and caps meticulously crafted for modern expression, all priced between 100 and 700 yuan (US$14-99).

In its homeland, Mmlg marries brick-and-mortar icons like Seoul’s Seongsu-dong store with a vibrant online presence; in China, it’s been building momentum since launching digitally in October 2024 — finally translating that energy into two Shanghai locations, with Parkson Huaihai following Qibao Link Plaza in rapid succession.

Address: B1, Qibao Link Plaza, 3366 Caobao Rd 漕宝路3366号七宝领展B1

2/F, Parkson, 918 Huaihai Rd M. 淮海中路918号百盛商场2楼

Sea New York

The Chinese debut of Sea New York, an independent designer brand from New York, officially opened on November 27 at Réel Department Store in Shanghai.

Designed around a natural, vintage-inspired palette, the store blends warm wood tones with hand embroidery, creative fabric patchwork and artisanal details to create a cozy, immersive space that balances aesthetic depth with sensory experience.

The interior evokes a nostalgic utopia filled with romantic innocence, with every corner thoughtfully infused with the spirit of “Sea.”

The brand’s Winter Après-Ski capsule collection is also available exclusively in China at the Réel flagship.

Founded by childhood friends Sean Monahan and Monica Paolini, Sea New York is renowned for its refined lacework, embroidery and vintage detailing.

Each collection strikes a balance between artistic expression and everyday wearability. Monica’s sharp eye for vintage aesthetics blends seamlessly with Sean’s modern, minimalist approach, forming the creative core of the brand.

“Natural balance, romantic elegance and pure movement” define Sea’s visual language — an aesthetic that also serves as a form of self-expression for those who wear it.

Sea New York has built a strong presence across the US and Europe and has seen rapid growth in Asian markets in recent years. High-profile Asian artists such as Blackpink’s Lisa, IU, Bae Doo Na, Kim Ji Won, G-Dragon, Bae Suzy and Han So Hee have frequently chosen Sea New York pieces for public appearances.

Now in its 19th year, Sea New York is entering a new chapter with the official launch of its China market strategy. For spring/summer 2025, the brand drew attention through a collaboration with Chinese high-end womenswear label Edition, introducing a co-branded spring collection.

Address: 3/F, Réel Department Store, 1601 Nanjing Rd W. 南京西路1601号芮欧百货3楼

Dim Dou Duk Bistro | 点都德Bistro

Dim Dou Duk Bistro debuted at Gate M West Bund Dream Center on December 6 — the first nationwide Bistro concept from the storied Cantonese dim sum chain.

By day, it honors tradition as a Cantonese teahouse; by night, it morphs into a laid-back cocktail lounge — proof that heritage can surprise.

Inside, classic Manchurian-style stained glass, wok-ear rooflines and begonia-patterned panes are reimagined in a modern key. Deep wine-tinted reds and cool stone blues flow through every corner, forging a sleek new Cantonese aesthetic that bridges past and present.

Dim Dou Duk Bistro doesn’t just extend its hours — it extends its idea of time. Open from 10am to 11pm, the space is designed to evolve with the day.

In the morning, it’s Cantonese tea by the river: shrimp dumplings, ting zai congee, red rice sausage — familiar, precise and unhurried.

At night, everything shifts. Six regionally-inspired cocktails appear. Claypots sizzle. Barbecue takes the spotlight. The room becomes social, relaxed, unmistakably urban.

This isn’t about adding a bar to a dim sum house. It’s about rethinking when — and how — people gather. And the response is clear: It’s already the top-selling Cantonese restaurant in the Longhua-West Bund area, with an average spend of 107 yuan.

Founded in 1933 in Longgui Town, Guangzhou Province, Dim Dou Duk traces its roots back to Dexianglou, established by Shen Shaoqing.

In 2013, descendants Shen Zhenlun and Shen Zhihui revived the brand under the name “Dim Dou Duk,” derived from the Cantonese phrase meaning “anything you order works.” Today, it holds the title of a Guangzhou time-honored brand.

Dim Dou Duk currently operates 89 stores nationwide, spanning South China, East China, Southwest, Central China and Northwest regions, primarily in first- and new first-tier cities. With a team of over 1,000 dim sum artisans, the brand has developed more than 700 dim sum varieties and launches at least 20 new items annually.

Address: Rm 401, Bldg 1, Gate M West Bund Dream Center, 2266 Longteng Ave

龙腾大道2266号Gate M西岸梦中心1栋401室