Rich pickings

By Xiao Changyan (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-29 15:39

Big flower-de-luce oil paintings by renowned Chinese artist Huo Si occupy the walls, antique celadon from yueyao kiln glitters in the corner, various collections of costumes from different dynasties line the long corridor of the newly-opened Customization Club by fashion house Basic Editions.

More like an art gallery, it aims to provide the most luxurious environment for haute couture customers in Beijing. Taking up the main space of the 10th floor of Yaobao Place, it receives just one customer at a time to ensure that he or she gets all the distinguished they feel they deserve.

The top-level team of designers from home and abroad, which has cooperated with the fashion house for many years, will personally tailor outfits for their customers, with carefully chosen fabrics. With the aim of providing trendy and unique designs for customers, accessories like shoes, bags and even hairpins will also be sold to match the ordered haute couture.

Style here features a fusion of Chinese and Western fashion. Designers usually draw inspiration from Chinese culture but at the same time adopt European design concepts to forge an impression of extravagance, forcefulness, and simpleness. Typical elements of haute couture here include vintage Chinese armor buttons, ancient Chinese bronzeware animal lines, fur fringes, cloud patterns plus lightning and exquisite Chinese embroideries.

Quite a few celebrities have been spotted in the club, for instance, movie star Li Bingbing and opera master Mei Baojiu, who confessed that he was attracted by the unique designs here. A bulging wallet is needed to enjoy the service, for instance, the ordered daily costume is charged at least 10 thousand yuan for one piece, while 30 thousand yuan for one evening dress.

10th floor of Yabao Place, No.19 North Ritan road, Chaoyang district, 8563-3209