Fashion/lifestyle
Xintiandi / 新天地
Xintiandi (XTD) / xintiandi.com / is Shanghai’s answer to London’s Covent Garden. Food, fashion, bars and retail in a series of well-restored buildings. It’s a great visitorfriendly place to ease yourself into Shang-shopping, which gets going around 11am. Purses out, Pam. Have the cab drop you at the Xingye Lu entrance of Xintiandi South Block /新天地南里/ maps are posted. In the courtyard is I.T / Unit 1 / 1-2/F / Hse 7 / 6336 5131 / ithk.com / for global fashionista gear by Acne, Helmut Lang etc, then take the exit leading into the glass mall and look for Glossy / 1/F / Hse 6 / 6384 1066 / with Cheap Monday, Nudie Jeans + achingly cool sneakers. Next up on 2/F is Chinese designer Ma Ke’s arty Exception de Mixmind (w) / 5382 3067 / mixmind.com, next door to local talent Ziggy Chen / Unit 224 / 3331 2968 / ziggychen.com / famed for his ultra modern renditions of traditional m/w garb. Hungry? Crystal Jade and Din Tai Fung (see Lunch for both) are here, or to shop on, take the link to Xintiandi Style mall, XTD’S younger sis that’s full of up-and-coming homegrown fash. Check out Wang Yiyang’s Muji-like togs at ZUCZUG / L204 / 6384 6322 / zuczug.com; flowing knits at Uma Wang / L229 / 3331 5109 / umawang.com; purist garb from Gao Xin’s Even Penniless / L230 / 3308 3208; and skip downstairs for label Mabel with edge Alter / L112 / 6302 9889 / alterstyle.com / offering Erdem, Jason Wu, Thakoon et al. Oh-la-la over the Parisian takes on trad Chinese bags and wallets at Shanghai Trio / L129 / 5358 0188 / shanghai trio.com, then retrace to South Block and exit at Xingye Lu whence you came. Just on the left is Zen Life Store / 5382 2070 / zenlifestore.com, touting mod Chinoiserie ceramics and artsy souvenirs. Cross into North Block, and on the left corner is Open House – Shikumen Museum / Hse 25 / 3307 0337 / a little-known jewel adorned with plum period pieces that show what living in these old homes was like before the developers got to them. Directly across is Unique Piece / 3316 1235 / with silk scarves and porcelain tea sets galore, then nip into the courtyard and on your right, you’ll find smartly tailored, Oriental-infused fash and accessories at #15 Shanghai Tang (see Standout Stores). Parched, Paul? Walk on, take a right after Luna restaurant and take a patio perch at Kabb / 3307 0798. Directly ahead is Annabel Lee Shanghai / Unit 3 / Hse 3 / 6320 0045 / annabellee.com / for silky, girly bags and faff. Breeze down the lane next to Kabb, past Yè Shanghai (see Rest./smart) for DR Bar / Unit 4 / 6311 0358. Back to Yè Shanghai, turn into the lane on its right to reach Huangpi Nan Lu. To the left is the bijou double-storey Shanghai Tang Café / 333 Huangpi Nan Lu / 6377 3333 / decked out in its iconic lacquer and candy colour combo, for cocktails Chinois and bites. Exit right and continue to the junction with Taicang Lu and either turn right, pushing past Songshan Lu where you can partake in a pressure point massage at #58 Green Massage / 5386 0222, and a pinot at Enoteca / 5306 3400; or, spin left on Taicang Lu, and left again when you meet Madang Lu for delectable deli dolly Cheese & Fizz at Unit 101 / 6336 5823, and Oshadai / Unit 2 / 5306 3798 / oshadai.com / with elegant French-oriental linens.want more? You’re insatiable. The Taikang Lu itinerary is but a short cab ride away. Taxi!