It’s been confirmed by Women’s Wear Daily – Fast Retailing (the parent company behind Uniqlo) announced during the National Retail Federation’s convention and expo that the Japanese clothing brand will be opening more U.S. stores and taking it’s business online. W00t! W00t!
Let’s hope that one of these new brick-and-mortar locations includes San Fransisco – I can see the store fitting nicely in Union Square or even next to the New People mall in Japantown. But if they skip over us Bay Area peeps, at least, we’ll be able to shop online.
While “paying respect” with flowers and candles makes for a great photo opp for foreign press, it seems a bit dramatic and a tad bit tasteless given the tragedy in Haiti right now.
Granted, I don’t blame them for wanting to make a political statement for their right to uncensored information and news. In any case, it will be interesting to see how this unfolds in the coming days.
One day, I’d like to attend the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival…granted, I freeze to death on the way from the car to the entrance ’cause it must be mighty cold for these sculptures to even last. Apparently, it’s so cold that the festival, which kicks off each year on January 5, lasts for about a month or longer (or longer, weather permitting).
What comes to mind when you hear that something’s been made in China? Let me guess. You’d probably call it a cheaply made knockoff or you’d be very concerned about lead/melamine poisoning. Well, when it comes to suits, think again!
Over the past three months or so, I’ve seen an increase in impressive top-tier coverage of a relatively unknown Chinese clothing brand based in Dalian, China (an industrial/manufacturing port city in the northeast). This “brand” is hardly the next Shanghai Tang trying to establish itself as a global luxury brand, nor is it growing powerhouse retailer like Uniqlo. So what’s with all the media attention from CNN, Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal (see video below)?
Since it’s extremely unlikely that Trands has retained a public relations agency, the media buzz can only explained by their star customer, Warren Buffet. Yes, you heard right – Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the world who’s better known for his investment strategies than his sense of fashion and style.
Mr. Buffett loves Trands so much that he’s been quoted on the record that he only wears these “Made in China” suits and has thrown out everything else. While he’s hardly a fashion icon, I wouldn’t be surprised if this $700+ Chinese suit becomes the next symbol of wealth and power for businessmen around the world.
The China Bloggers Conference was held last week in the mountains of LianZhou (a city in the southern province of Guangzhou). Yes, you heard right. It was held in the sticks and looking at the WSJ video (above), the attending bloggers somehow had Wi-Fi access and electricity to power their laptops. I have no idea how they did it, but I’m impressed.
The location, nevertheless, seems very weird. I mean, could you even imagine Macworld being hosted in Golden Gate Park or CES in Death Valley? Strange as it seems, the location – according to the video testimonials - had a lot of symbolism. It represents the technology gap between the wealthier coastal cities in the east and the poverty-stricken regions in the west. On another level, it also represents the repercussions of Green Dam (i.e., China’s netizens are now forced underground because of increased censorship and on/off blockage of Facebook Twitter and Amazon).
What do you think? Would you go to a tech conference if it was held in the woods or on a farm? For sure, it would be a logistical nightmare, but it sure would be an “experience.”
Does this mean someone gets to wear a costume to all your events? RT @BenParr: The Mashable team's talking about potential Mashable mascots. 5 days ago
BTW, @girl_dana how r the formal bridesmaid invitations coming along? @elsakeng and I r waiting. Im expecting nice Cricut-made designs 5 days ago
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