Procrastinating at my desk, trying to think what I want to design with my time wasn’t getting me anywhere. Back in the Uk I have boxes of art materials, wire, wood and. Adios model making paraffinalia for just such and instance where I can doodle and model make to my hearts content.

In Shanghai I’m severely lacking fun creative nick nacks.

So I threw my more frugal side to the wind and went on an art shop search.

A Taxi ride away on 859 Xikang Road was Marie’s Painting Materials an art materials oasis; reminiscent of my old friend Atlantisin East London. Trading since 1919 (that’s what is says on the business card, although some websites say 1993), it is an Aladdin’s cave, of brushes, canvases, paint a plaster busts.

I didn’t realise Kryten and Ross Kemp were so popular in China.

As I wandered around grinning filling my basket Paulsmiled and said “this is like the Apple store for you isn’t it?!”

Paper masks?

Bust of Stalin for your home?

Getting foam board cut down.

All this for £27 bargain, finally something cheaper in China than the UK.

I managed to get quite a hoard of all the basic materials, plus a few extras for nieces and nephews when I’m back home next

Blog done, no excuses now; back to the design grind stone!

There is also culture and creativity around every corner if you’re willing to look. Thankfully with plenty of free publications like that’s shanghai and city weekend, you don’t have to look far.

Now the summer is truly here shanghai creatives are emerging from their cosy studios and setting up shop at the many design events around.

First stop DAFF (Design Art Fashion Fair) which this year took place at Wharf 1846 promenade, shanghai, right near the Bund so there was a welcome breeze from the summer sun.

There were lots of stands selling their wears from fashion to clocks, there was a central catwalk with shows throughout the evening, DJ’s and an art competition too. Plus the event was sponsored by Tiger beer, so cheap beers topped off the evening.

a great location right on the Bund.

The Best sausage in China!

Some found the fashion show more interesting than others.

I love these Flouro Vans.

Some up-cycled biscuit tins from Jonas Design.

some cool cushion raindrops from Cheng Cheng.

I really love these Frankenstein brooches made from all sorts, so wrong they’re right.

Then the following week Central studios had a weekend market, with vintage fashion, food and table tennis.

DIY Jewellery, great idea. when I asked her if she had a card (so i could promote her on here) she said ‘no it’s just for fun’, so cool!

Time for a quick game between shopping and eating?

And finally the week was topped off with the sublime ‘What the Butler Saw’a minimal ensemble cast and crew from all over the world from the UK to Canada.

It was a great 3 day production by TBC PRODUCTIONS and received several (scripted and intended) laughs and a round of applause and much deserved encore at the end. To find out more I formation about future productions ‘like’ their Facebook page.

With lots of promotion on many of the Shanghai websites and magazines, the venue was packed every night, here people are waiting on standby.

Ooooh the excitement builds as the curtain goes up.

The cast taking their bow and much deserved adulation.

Congratulations to Owen, Emily, Farah, Ben, Paul, Luke, Bryan, Daniella and Fern.

The creativity doesn’t end here my creative shanghai partner in crime Paul has surpassed himself and managed to win 2 free tickets to this weekends TED lectures in Shanghai, score!

Last weekend was a public holiday in china, so to optimise my holiday time I had a brief trip to a humid Hong Kong.

Getting on the design trail with trendy shops and furniture. Here are some quick pics and hot spots that I though I’d share.

Hong Kong is a real mashup of East and West, with the familiar of 3prong plugs, double decker buses, cabbies that speak English and areas like Stanley, Aberdeen and Hollywood street.

You don’t even need to scratch the surface to see how deep routed it really is in Chinese culture, the combination is magical as the t-shirts say I <3 Hong Kong!

First Stop Innermostwho sell work by designers like: Jake Phipps, Corinna Warm, Jarrod Lim. They have a showroom in Hong Kong and London.

There are so many cool little design boutiques like this one Konzepp which had design and fashion from all over the world.

I treated myself with a little memento, these cool leather earrings by Korean designer Kim ji yeon.

Loveramics,  had a great eclectic mix of ceramics, I couldn’t resist the Tripod Salt and Pepper by Simon Stevens.

Many of the clothes shops had that cool east London vibe to them.

Another good design/interior/gift shop is GOD (Goods Of Desire) the websites a bit rubbish but the product and display is great, here you can see one a huge suspended light, the smaller version can be seen all over the night markets of Hong Kong and can also be bought in GOD.

Next stop was a scale up Lane Crawford, the Harvey Nicks of the East. They have designer fashion and furniture. There are 4 stores in Hong Kong & I managed to see 3.

Also spotted the newly launched Carve Round Tables by G&T.

Also spotted the Barton Collection designed by Sir Terence Conran for Ercol, I love the proportions and the simple handle detail.

Loved this display of the new Victoria Beckham collection, really wish I could afford some of it!

Next stop Horizon Plaza, 28 Floors of Fashion and Furniture discount stores; not for the faint hearted.

From old colonial, to modern to traditional oriental antiques, if you have the stamina you can find it.

My highlight was discovering Nook they had a really considered ranging and simple but cool store concept.

The obligatory stop off in the apple store and we weren’t alone.

OTHER NON DESIGN SPOTTING:

Some things that were too good to miss out the blog.

Tung Choi Street, otherwise known as the Goldfish market for obvious reasons. Rows of shops selling a huge variety of fish, makes me think of finding Nemo.

Would make a great jigsaw.

The Ladies market in Mongkok. The best thing is the vendors don’t hassle you, you are left to browse! Quite a contrast to mainland China markets where I have been chased before with a market owner giving me his ‘best price’.

Tasteful and comfortable mouse mats.

Sooo many USB sticks.

Angry Bird pants….they’re taking over the world!

I also saw the Avengers (in 3D unfortunately) as it was released earlier that China. 3D messed up the scale a bit though!

Labour day protests about pay for domestic workers.

Taxi driver with 7 phones and a SatNav, think he had been to the technology market.

Slight information overload at Wan Chai Technology market.

Then a final stop off in the lovely Stanley, with sea a market and even fish and Chips.

Yes that’s XXXXXXXX 8.

And then home….

I guess this is mostly due to the unnecessary numbers of staff working in one place; shops and hairdressers being the main perpetrators. They are bored stiff, I would slip into a zombee-like coma too. 5 greeters before you enter the establishment is never necessary.

Falling asleep in any location and position is quite a skill.

Surely that’s against some sort of food hygiene standard.

Having a rest at lunch..in your uniform in the place you work!

Some of the guys that featured in my previous blog taking in the spring sun.

Hitching a ride, on a busy road. get a quick 40 winks.

A hard hard days shopping with the girlfriend.

I recently visited the Dongguan & Guangzhou Furniture Fairsthey are a prime location for spotting staff snoozing blatantly as potential customers walk by.

Cunning, hiding his face; he can’t possibly be asleep!

Security was tight.

The police took their job very seriously.

I’ll try to get some more covert snaps soon.

Shanghai is becoming a petrol fuelled metropolis with the governments ‘2 wheels bad 4 wheels good’ policy. In 2003 all bicycles were apparently banned from main highways; that doesn’t seem to stop the Shanghaies. As cyclists brave the weather, pollution, taxis and shiny American style gas guzzlers and other bike adrenaline junkies.

Despite the car increase bikes still rule the roads (and the footpaths).

There are specially allotted cycle lanes where as far as I can tell the only rule is there are no rules! With people travelling in both directions at the same time. I’m astonished I’m yet to see a collision (although the evidence is very apparent on the poor suffering bikes). They wear little protection, with few wearing helmets (I saw someone in a horse riding helmet I guess that’s better than nothing). Just a face mask and a coat on backwards (Kriss Kross style) to protects their arms from the wind or sun and leather or sheepskin chaps I guess to protects from the elements .

It is certainly twice a fast to get around the city by bike than by cab.

Even with the overpowering onslaught of four wheels many goods are still moved by carts and wagons, pedicabs (bicycle version of your man with a van) or pulled by tractors or bicycles.

It always amazes and amuses me what can be transported on two wheels. The ingenuity and the flagrant disregard for personal safety come hand in hand.

Here are a few pedal driven (and electric) Bikes and their varied loads.

Recycling/salvage is the main income of many people in Shanghai. They have got loading their bikes down to a fine art.

Beautifully packed.

As  work at a furniture company we frequently have empty boxes and crates, in a blink of an eye they are loaded up and whisked away!

This would have been good for the uniform blog, the most smartly dressed dustman I’ve ever seen.

Garden Centre?

Fruit Shop.

Tesco delivery

Safety doesn’t seem to be a concern; delivering sheet glass, yep that will be fine, what could go wrong!

Water delivered to the office. The delivery man has to do some serious yoga in order for him to get his legs around the bottles!

Plants delivered.

Bedroom furniture delivered.

Obstruction of vision or frizzy hair mmm?

Turbo boost.

I love this one, a fridge perfectly balanced. I’ve seen a bike with 2 fridges on before.

and finally the Pièce de résistance, this pimped up scooter with wind screen wiper and gaffa tape. I can just imagine a wife looking out if the kitchen window at her husband tinkering away. Thinking ‘well it keeps him out of the way’!

No this isn’t a cheap trick to get more views on my website.

Having a well coiffured pooch is serious business here in Shanghai. Especially with our recent inclement weather; it’s not like they have fur or anything to keep them warm!

It is never long until you spot a well healed canine strutting the pavement with its doting owner.

The only issue is I’m always to distracted by what the latest trend the dogs wearing to get a decent photograph! So there are allot of doggy bottoms I’m afraid!

Dog is a mans best friend, but looking at the outfits below I think dogs would like to review the situation!

“Thriller, Thriller nights…” Shamon!

The Jumpsuit; it never goes out of style!

More traditional attire (he looked like a lion)!

Having a dog in China isn’t just for companionship it is also a statement about wealth; that you can afford to feed another mouth that isn’t human. And as with all fashion/social statements only the best is good enough!

Hoodies are so in right now.

You can be my wing man any time!

Ahhh a girl dog…I hope.

Vogue!

The apré ski look. Something a bit weird about a dog wearing fur!

His and hers.

Just chilling at work.

Hip Hop don’t stop.

This is the smallest dog ever..

No this is! See the boots to the right for scale.

And I know this dog isn’t wearing any additional attire, but wow is he fluffy!

Dog Brogues, very Shoreditch.

I can’t wait to see what Spring/Summer 2012 looks there’ll be!

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….