Labels taking the plunge on aquatic haute couture

PARIS: While the real world ponders the prospect of global recession, we in the fashion industry have been mainly thinking about coral. Not saving Caribbean reefs, or anything useful like that, you understand, but clothes that look a bit like it.

Battle of the brands

Erdos, China's largest cashmere products company, gave a catwalk show in Beijing recently to showcase its new, luxury fashion brand "1436 Erdos". The name 1436 comes from the yarn of the cashmere used in the products and is positioned as a deluxe, semi-fashion brand offering high-quality cashmere apparel.

Life Expat

Sultans of swing

Former jockey Geoff Barton was ensconced in the Australian thoroughbred scene when he received the telephone call that would be the opening chapter of his China story. It was an unexpected opportunity that came while Barton was dealing with tragedy, and one that saw him headed for a foreign land to be part of a bold venture that has been described as China's greatest gamble.

Brit enjoys his Beijing takeaway

One Beijing expat shares what he most enjoys about life in the Chinese capital on the forum www.thebeijinger.com. The contributor, a British man who has lived here for more than two years, posted his observations under the title, "Living in Beijing as a foreigner is awesome".

Why Aussies go for gold and glamor in Beijing

While the Australia Day holiday this weekend is traditionally a time for cricket, beer and barbecues, the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Beijing is hosting a decidedly more sophisticated celebration for expatriates in the Chinese capital.

Life Travel

Walk on Hainan's wild side

Tropical Hainan Island is a winter refuge and will be a popular travel destination for the coming Spring Festival holidays. But this doesn't necessarily mean that hotels will be booked out and there will be hordes of tourists. There is another option: Pass by the golden beaches and head into the wild.

On the trail of Eld's deer

About 40 minutes by bus from the town of Jianfengling and three hours from Haikou and Sanya, Datian Eld's Deer Nature Reserve is good for a day trip.

Who knew heaven is a place on Earth?

Many Beijingers are curious to find out where I come from because of my southern accent. When I tell them my hometown is Hangzhou, they look puzzled and ask: "Why did you come to Beijing?"

Life Health

Let's talk about parent care

BERLIN: Few families have a stress-free existence but sometimes the level is over the top and results in "parent burnout". A lot of combined factors create stress within a family - some are objective factors, others could be described as subjective perceptions.