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CITYLIFE / Shopping
Goodbye to Granny pants
By Kacey (smartshanghai.com)
Updated: 2007-07-10 09:23
Having lived and worked in New York in the film industry, Shiny Fang,
originally from Taiwan, is no stranger to lingerie. Not that women in the
New York film industry have any particular insight on lingerie, but women
in New York in general, with its popular boutiques - Victoria's Secret,
Pink Pussycats, and Bonne Nuits - know their underwear. Shiny herself
came to a point in her life (nearing the big 3-0) and wanted a change.
Along with a friend, she set up her own business choosing an unlikely
combination: Shanghai and lingerie.
Shiny thinks that underwear is still being "discovered" in China and
perceives a gap in the market. I would have to agree with her in that,
there seems to be an abundance of 'granny knickers' in Shanghai; in the
shops, on the washing lines and, most shockingly, on the people. Her
lingerie boutique was opened in January of this year, offering a
selection of non-commercial designer brands from the UK and America. By
non-commercial I mean, it's not your usual Calvin Klein, Versace or
French Connection; she sells labels such as Kenzo and Jimmy Jane, to name
but a few. And this is in keeping with her whole concept: to steer clear
of the commercialized industry, bulk sales and impersonal marketing of
lingerie. Her boutique is intimate, with carefully selected designs and
only perhaps two or three sets available of each.
The boutique is in an old fashioned building, on a quiet lane set back
from the malls, caf茅s and designer shops of West Nanjing Road. I
actually got a bit lost looking for it, but when I found it, it was like
a little hidden gem. On entering the boutique, or should I say boudoir -
yes, the dim and very fabulous lighting and deep purples throughout are
that of a boudoir - I was stunned. The carpets are soft on the feet (you
have to take your shoes off), the high ceiling with its intricate detail
and huge black and crystal chandelier is beautiful and overall there is a
very sexy, sultry atmosphere. The attention to details is apparent and
Shiny has definitely done nothing by halves. A lot of money has been put
into the business and it shows in these details.
Now I don't know about anyone else, but I'm not particularly partial to
changing rooms. You know the curtain ones that you can just about stand
up in, let alone change. And then the ones that only have a mirror
outside, so you have to leave your box, dressed like, well you don't know
until you see...yep not my idea of fun. Now the changing room at Lingerie
& Me is actually a room. Wow, a huge one at that, with a chez-lounge
against the wall, a beautiful dresser and a huge mirror. Shiny wanted to
create a space where people felt comfortable and at home trying things
on, a place where your partner or friend can sit in with you.
Lingerie & Me is not only the only lingerie boutique in Shanghai, it is
in fact on its own in China. She has created a private boutique, where
people can come and feel comfortable trying on and buying underwear. Her
clients are mainly expats and generally over twenty five, possibly
because of the prices. The cheapest thing you can buy sets you back about
680rmb. But those prices come with the label I guess, so if you really
want something that bit more special, something not every man and his dog
are wearing (and I should hope not!) then this is the place to come. The
staff are extremely friendly and speak with you on a very personal level;
they are trained to fit you, measure you and can also advise you on what
would be best for your shape or what you want. In fact you actually need
to know zilch about underwear! Shiny also speaks to her clients about the
designers themselves, so they have a better idea of whose creations they
are wearing.
This gem, I think, is yet to be truly discovered but I do think it is
going to be around for a while. (Once the culture here budges slightly),
this boutique will be buzzing. I only hope it manages to keep its charm
and secrecy, because a gem is always more pretty when it's hidden.
Lingerie & Me
Address: Room 28, Building No.5, Lane 1173, Nan Jing Xi Lu
Tel: 021-6253 3076
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