China's Shanghai Fashion Week faces delay, while Tom Dixon opens Shanghai flagship.

Just heard through the grapevine that Shanghai Fashion Week may have to be postponed from March to mid April, amidst concerns posted by a growing rise of coronavirus infections in China.  Organisers have not yet made any announcement but there have been reports that brands are pulling out of trade fair events due to ongoing travel restrictions and rising Covid cases.

In ten days time or so, Chinese New Year will be “celebrated” in China and in Chinese communities around the world, but this lunar new year, which will be the year of the Ox, will see traditional celebrations curtailed and may have to be more low-key, and possibly going digital. Curbs on travel this year to try and stop the spread of the coronavirus mean many people won’t be able to return to their hometowns. That will limit spending on travel, restaurants and gifts. 

China’s efforts to control the recent resurgence of Covid-19 are undercutting a recovery which has been one of the bright spots in the global economy.  According to Bloomberg news,  the first official data for China in January showed economic activity expanded at a much slower pace compared to December, with the services sector markedly weaker. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index fell to 51.3, while the non-manufacturing gauge dropped to 52.4 from 55.7 in December, according to data released Sunday by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Meanwhile British interior and lifestyle product designer brand Tom Dixon has just announced the opening of its Shanghai flagship store, showing the maison’s continued confidence in the Asian market as it will be its third retail hub in China, following the opening of the Hangzhou store in December 2019 and the Beijing Sanlitun Bottle Concept store in September 2020. Tom Dixon Studio’s mobile, modular display system OCTAGON has also been on exhibition in China, travelling from Chengdu to Shanghai and ending in Beijing. OCTAGON represents the multifaceted nature of the brand, and is a compact structure showcasing the diverse architectural spaces and products of Tom Dixon Studio. OCTAGON is currently exhibiting at Beijing Wangfu Central Plaza until 28th February 2021.

The latest Hub is in Xintiandi, a cosmopolitan luxury design, fashion and hospitality destination in the centre of Shanghai, a stone’s throw from luxury properties, on XinTianDi Style I, Ground floor, No.123-6 Xinye Road.

The main entrance and exterior of Tom Dixon flagship store in Shanghai, China features these prominent double wooden doors and geometric wooden patterning on the windows.  Photos from Tom Dixon.

Tom Dixon Studio’s CEO, Hans Hoegstedt says: "China is one of our most important markets. We searched for 2 years for this location with the intention to support China’s design community. Our Shanghai hub is designed to be a place where our customers can fully experience Tom’s extraordinary products."

According to Tom Dixon. the flagship sits within a traditional Chinese building and is surrounded by Shikumen architecture. Shikumen, which translates to 'ancient stone gate', is a Shanghainese architectural style which blends traditional Chinese architecture and social behaviour with elements of Western design.  

The Hub has a minimalist, clean and industrial interior. The open-plan layout references the Shkiumen organisation of spaces, with rooms arranged around a Central Hall and Courtyard. There are several massive blocks of quarried solid stone in the centre, acting as podium for accessories.  The Shanghai Hub pays homage to many of the brand's hero products, such as FAT, SPRING and WINGBACK, as well as pendant lighting systems of MELT, MIRROR BALL, BEAT and BIRD Chaise. It also displays a selection of their latest collections.

To explore the new store, go on to the Tom Dixon website.