Polish innovator combines fashion with fitness
By Caterina Bernardini |
October 21, 2012, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Shanghai is becoming a fashion capital as big names and up-and-coming designers are drawn to China and increasingly sophisticated consumers have a wealth of fashion and design to choose from.
Polish designer Monika Fligewicz is one of the creative people seeking opportunity in the cosmopolitan city. She has created her own made-to-order collection MF and opened a fashion showroom-cum-fitness studio, Enso Temple, in a villa in the former French concession.
Her clothes are strictly black and white, sometimes with a dash of red, and Enso Temple's decor is black and white as well.
Eight years ago, the native of Warsaw moved to Shanghai for a marketing job with a German cosmetics company.
Though the businesswoman does not have a fashion background, she has always been interested in fashion, style and design. She also draws well.
She started to design the kinds of garments she couldn't find in shops in the city. "Everywhere you go you find the same stuff," Fligewicz said, "So I wanted to make what I wanted to buy. I wanted and still want to do something different."
She always has designed garments for herself and when she got pregnant, she decided to temporarily quit her marketing work and think about her own collection. Her husband is a German working in the same company.
She describes her style as minimal Asian edge. All her creations are black and white because "they are timeless colors. You can wear them easily, they suit everyone and every occasion."
Organized by O-Marketing, her latest collection, with a touch of red, was displayed at M1NT club.
The lines are pure, dresses are characterized by symmetry and are suitable for various occasions. They are designed for the sophisticated woman who wants to be chic and comfortable.
A range of fabrics is used, from chiffon to leather, and come from both China and Europe.
"I want to deliver perfect quality so I need to pick the perfect fabric for any creation," she said.
Her clothes are tailor-made to order and a year ago she opened her showroom, Enso Temple, to show her work. Visitors choose the designs they like and make an appointment with the designer and a tailor.
Fligewicz pays attention to the smallest detail of cut and quality, saying "Everything must fit perfectly." She is also open to modifying the original design to suit customers' taste.
High quality isn't free. Tailored garments range from 900 yuan (US$143) to 10,000 yuan, depending on fabric and complexity of tailoring.
Enso Temple also includes a small fitness studio run by American personal trainer Thomas Fazio. He gives martial arts and boxing lessons, as well as nutrition and fitness tips to women who want to look and feel their best. "Fashion and fitness are very close to one another," Fligewicz said, adding that if a woman feels good in her own body, then she probably feels good in a dress. She herself is in good shape. Fazio is her personal trainer.
The two have hit upon an interesting, innovative combination - fashion and fitness, boutique dress shop and wellness studio. Fazio tailors a fitness program for every client, most of them Fligewicz's customers. "Thomas was my trainer and when we had some breaks, we started thinking about this idea. It's quite extravagant for Chinese people, but very useful. So here we are," she said.
"We are conscious that this is a risk, we are a small business with a small team, but we believe in what we offer."
But Fligewicz's network in Shanghai made it easier to start a business and she counts on her friends and word-of-mouth from satisfied customers.
Every month she organizes events at Enso Temple so that locals and expats can see her creations.
Sometimes she organizes wine tastings so that people can socialize. It's a cozy arrangement and the venue is inviting with an attractive terrace.
For Fligewicz, Shanghai was the perfect city in which to open such an innovative fashion-fitness business.
"Shanghai is a city of women. They are strong, they want to make careers, they're cosmopolitan and very different from Beijing people."
Monika Fligewicz
Nationality: Poland
Age: 39
Profession: Designer and creative director of MF fashion label, co-owner of Enso Temple Fashion & Fitness Lounge
Self-description: Passionate perfectionist with unlimited energy
Q&A
Favorite place:
Former French concession for a discovery walk, every time finding something new. Shintori for food as I am a sushi addict. It has a very cool interior design.
Strangest sight: Strangest? For me, nothing is strange. I do not judge and I do like to see all sides of the town.
Worst experience:
None, every experience is a lesson.
Motto for life:
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.
How to improve Shanghai:
More green and nature for better air!
Advice to newcomers:
Be open and patient and do not judge the city too quickly.
Polish designer Monika Fligewicz is one of the creative people seeking opportunity in the cosmopolitan city. She has created her own made-to-order collection MF and opened a fashion showroom-cum-fitness studio, Enso Temple, in a villa in the former French concession.
Her clothes are strictly black and white, sometimes with a dash of red, and Enso Temple's decor is black and white as well.
Eight years ago, the native of Warsaw moved to Shanghai for a marketing job with a German cosmetics company.
Though the businesswoman does not have a fashion background, she has always been interested in fashion, style and design. She also draws well.
She started to design the kinds of garments she couldn't find in shops in the city. "Everywhere you go you find the same stuff," Fligewicz said, "So I wanted to make what I wanted to buy. I wanted and still want to do something different."
She always has designed garments for herself and when she got pregnant, she decided to temporarily quit her marketing work and think about her own collection. Her husband is a German working in the same company.
She describes her style as minimal Asian edge. All her creations are black and white because "they are timeless colors. You can wear them easily, they suit everyone and every occasion."
Organized by O-Marketing, her latest collection, with a touch of red, was displayed at M1NT club.
The lines are pure, dresses are characterized by symmetry and are suitable for various occasions. They are designed for the sophisticated woman who wants to be chic and comfortable.
A range of fabrics is used, from chiffon to leather, and come from both China and Europe.
"I want to deliver perfect quality so I need to pick the perfect fabric for any creation," she said.
Her clothes are tailor-made to order and a year ago she opened her showroom, Enso Temple, to show her work. Visitors choose the designs they like and make an appointment with the designer and a tailor.
Fligewicz pays attention to the smallest detail of cut and quality, saying "Everything must fit perfectly." She is also open to modifying the original design to suit customers' taste.
High quality isn't free. Tailored garments range from 900 yuan (US$143) to 10,000 yuan, depending on fabric and complexity of tailoring.
Enso Temple also includes a small fitness studio run by American personal trainer Thomas Fazio. He gives martial arts and boxing lessons, as well as nutrition and fitness tips to women who want to look and feel their best. "Fashion and fitness are very close to one another," Fligewicz said, adding that if a woman feels good in her own body, then she probably feels good in a dress. She herself is in good shape. Fazio is her personal trainer.
The two have hit upon an interesting, innovative combination - fashion and fitness, boutique dress shop and wellness studio. Fazio tailors a fitness program for every client, most of them Fligewicz's customers. "Thomas was my trainer and when we had some breaks, we started thinking about this idea. It's quite extravagant for Chinese people, but very useful. So here we are," she said.
"We are conscious that this is a risk, we are a small business with a small team, but we believe in what we offer."
But Fligewicz's network in Shanghai made it easier to start a business and she counts on her friends and word-of-mouth from satisfied customers.
Every month she organizes events at Enso Temple so that locals and expats can see her creations.
Sometimes she organizes wine tastings so that people can socialize. It's a cozy arrangement and the venue is inviting with an attractive terrace.
For Fligewicz, Shanghai was the perfect city in which to open such an innovative fashion-fitness business.
"Shanghai is a city of women. They are strong, they want to make careers, they're cosmopolitan and very different from Beijing people."
Monika Fligewicz
Nationality: Poland
Age: 39
Profession: Designer and creative director of MF fashion label, co-owner of Enso Temple Fashion & Fitness Lounge
Self-description: Passionate perfectionist with unlimited energy
Q&A
Favorite place:
Former French concession for a discovery walk, every time finding something new. Shintori for food as I am a sushi addict. It has a very cool interior design.
Strangest sight: Strangest? For me, nothing is strange. I do not judge and I do like to see all sides of the town.
Worst experience:
None, every experience is a lesson.
Motto for life:
I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul.
How to improve Shanghai:
More green and nature for better air!
Advice to newcomers:
Be open and patient and do not judge the city too quickly.
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