Whichever way you turn, there is always someone smartly turned out in their uniform, and I don’t mean just a tie and a name badge, they go the whole shebang with epaulets and brocade!

I guess this is a reflection of the communist structure, especially those who work for the state. Everyone is employed and everyone is smart and takes pride in their job, no matter what their job may be, and everyone has a role to play to keep the cogs of China running smoothly. From the Police to factory workers to Road sweepers they all have an identity, and they take it seriously too.

Some uniforms photos I have accumulated so far:

Street cleaners out in all weather.

Park wardens…love his nonchalant lean.

Emergency Services:

Police, with his run down old bike.

Fire Brigade

Travel:

Buying tickets

Checking tickets

Sweeping the platform

Sanitary bags used for packed lunch!

Mopping the train, a little overdressed perhaps.

Helpful train assistants.

Then tickets checked at arrival.

Then my favourite; doormen…they love their job!

Smart/Casual

And all that Jazzzzzz.

Here you can see me sporting my much cherished ‘My little Pony’ specs (they has a little My little Pony picture embedded in each arm). It’s always been a love hate relationship; needing them to see but them impeding on day to day life, playing sport, not looking like a nerd, repelling boys I fancied at school!

And now somehow glasses have become cool once more, and no longer for just the focus impaired like myself. People with 20:20 are adopting specs, thanks to celebrities like Kanye West and Beiber. It seems to be the cool thing to do here in Shanghai too. I can’t stop spotting people wearing glasses WITH NO LENSES….Why?!!!!!!

Taking covert photos of people modelling this look is very tricky:

And I’m not surprised so many people wear glasses, as this weekend I took a visit to 3 Yeh Optical Market . I was in glasses heaven, rows and rows of cool and cheap glasses, some more practical than others.

Paul my co-contributing blogger (and other half) need some new specs after staring at a computer screen too much, so took the plunge. While there I couldn’t resist trying on a pair or two myself.

Here is a pick of the best; do you think I should get a pair?

Looking cool!

Tortoise shell…boring!

“Hello Kitty!”

Joe 90?

Deirdre Barlow

I think I love them!

This photo has the trend twice!

Glasses with bamboo arms, pretty cool.

Channelling Chucky from Rugrats!

It’s wacaday!

Can I pull this look off?!

Eye test free, frames £30 lenses £20 looking super cool priceless. Well allot cheaper than the £500 I paid for my last pair in the UK anyway.

In the consumerist world of modern China, designer brands are a must have.  As you wander down Nanjing lu, you are greeted by shop after shop of polished gold signs, bling watches and handbags and of course the 5 to 1 staff to customer ratio!

But of course a huge percentage of Shanghai residents cannot afford these opulent luxuries (myself included). So what do you do?…Buy copies!

Here are a few of my favourite copies spotted so far; some more succesfull than others:

National Geographic? I like how they got the ‘Geog’ bit in.

Oh yeah, Calvini Klein…a bargain at £3.90 a jumper!

Calvin Klain, sounds like a gun slinger in the wild west!

flipped the direction of the crocodile..clever.

ASOS? The clothes are actually pretty good in there.

A little bit Costa Coffee?

Brilliant BurBurly; sounds like a drunk Burberry.

Why by Ugs when you can buy Yca?

More of an instruction really.

Kapap; genius.

Aaidas, so close and yet so far. The other day I spotted someone with Adiads socks!

Copying isn’t seen as a bad thing in China, ‘why design it if someone else already has and it works’, which can be a little frustrating as a designer!

The search continues….

Ok so this colour is a bit of a cheat with Christmas just gone and Chinese New Year coming to a close.

Red- it permeates all of China from daily life; road signs, clothes, the communist government and even food. To much deeper significant levels, with important meanings and symbolism.

Red, corresponding with fire, symbolizes good fortune and joy. So is also the symbol for happiness-the children are especially happy during Chinese New Year being showered in gifts and little red envelopes full of money!

So here’s red I’ve snapped in the last week or so:

During the Yuan Dynasty, which began in the 13th century, Chinese Lanterns became a symbol of hope and good wishes. Here a group of girls are doing their morning dance practice. I love the street cleaning nonchalantly watching by the tree.

Poinsettias at Christmas.

Me in a red a gold tatt heaven in Yu Gardens.

Everyday Red.

These little 3 wheelers were all over this village in Qingdao.

And not forgetting Chillies! Especially in sichuan food.

Some treasures at Dong Tai Lu ‘Antiques’ Market. Mao badges were an integral part of the cult of Mao, loyal Maoist followers proudly war them, now there are mountains on market stall after market stall.

Chinese New Year Welcomed in the Year of the Dragon. This Glassy eyed dragon looks dead inside!

Real lucky pants; just found my size! According to Chinese tradition, it’s lucky to wear red on the first day of the year, this even goes right down to your socks and pants. Not so lucky if they get mixed in with your white wash.

Lanterns adorn everything, they could have a blog to themselves.

And Chinese New Year wouldn’t be Chinese New Year without FIREWORKS! And boy do they light allot!

I posted a quick video on youtube.

A couple of pence for a mountain of bangers.

Inside the Oriental Pearl TV tower.

Chinese Money envelopes.

I’m sure this isn’t the last of Red being posted this year!

So this is my snazzy new look website and blog.

My new blog posts will now continue on the ‘Blog‘ bit of my website. This is so I can update you all quicker and more often.

Searching subjects is also easier, getting the ‘Google Juice’ flowing (apparently)! You can also sign up to my Newsletter, where I’ll give you a brief update every few months. Plus you can ‘Like’ and comment using your Facebook ID.

As well as the usual ‘Design’ stuff I get up to, I’ll also be posting quick photo uploads about China life; what I’ve experienced and observed. You’ll then be able to search these by ‘category’ i.e. colours,trends, accidental Chinese hipsters etc…all will be clear soon.

So sit back and enjoy the visual feast of what I’ve spotted so far:

2011 was a busy and exciting year:

• With Array Fruit Bowls being launched by Aarevalo and retailing in Paperchase.

• Modus Furniture launching the Drew range, which made its debut as part of Designjunction at the Milan Furniture Fair.

• Made.com launching the Limpet Wall Hooks after popular demand in the ‘Vote’ section of the website.

• Having two designs selected for Heals Discovers 2011. The Twist Occasional Table and Nesting Candlesticks, launched in September.

..…and finally, moving to Shanghai as a Product Manager for Made.com. Designing and developing Upholstery and accessories!

2012 is the Year of the Dragon which is a symbol of good fortune and sign of intense power. Hopefully its characteristics will be fulfilled for new projects.

Keep an eye out for a new look website, that is more interactive, easier to use and constantly updated.

Also look out for new exciting Made.com pieces that I’m working on now.