The Past and Present of Beijing's Siheyuan 北京四合院的前世今生

With more than 21.5 million people living in the sprawling metropolis and a history stretching back three millennia, Beijing is one of the most fascinating places in Asia. Experiencing the city’s growth first-hand has been exhilarating for Partner and Chief Architect Ziyu Zhuang of RSAA/Büro. Ziyu returned to the city of his childhood in 2010 after studying and working abroad in London and New York. Now twelve years later, Ziyu continues to appreciate how the city morphs and changes around him at a dizzying pace.

History & ArchitectureFête ChinoiseNovember 16, 2022Beijing, Beijing Siheyuan, Archtecture, HeritageComment

Re-Imagining My Chinatown 滿地可唐人街：同源可同心？

When the movie Turning Red came out on Disney+ a few weeks ago, my family was eager to watch it together. First, for obvious family-movie reasons: (1) Pixar, (2) Pandas, and (3) Canada. But superseding those - there was another, deeper motivation. For the first time that I can remember, a major motion picture featured an Asian lead in a family movie. Representation has been a topic that has garnered a lot of chatter in recent years. Recent films like Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi have done a lot to move the awareness of Asian talent — that has always existed — into the mainstream.

History & Architecture, Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseNovember 9, 2022Montreal Chinatown, ChinatownComment

Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival 2022

Canada's largest Asian film festival will take place from November 9th to 20th, 2022, both virtually and in-person. The Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival will feature contemporary Asian cinema and work from the Asian diaspora. The festival provides a public forum for media artists of Asian heritage and fuels the growing appreciation for Asian cinema in Canada.

Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseNovember 4, 2022Film Festival, Reel Asian Film Festival, MoviesComment

Magic Carpet Ride 民國古毯價值重現

China has been making carpets for centuries. But those produced between the 1920s and 1940s in the Art Deco style have recently become among the most prized today. After nearly a century of benign neglect, these deco rugs — made of exceptional Chinese wool — appear freshly lustrous to a new generation of collectors who are discovering them for the first time.

Art and Fashion, History & ArchitectureFête ChinoiseNovember 2, 2022Art Deco Rug, Chinese StyleComment

To Paradise Found: The Tale of Two Shangri-Las ‧ Part 2 — Toronto 消失‧尋找：地平線上香格里拉的設計密碼【貳】

Toronto, ON. The distinct design language transforms into a second oasis in the urban core of downtown Toronto. Modern Chinese art commands the chi of the University Avenue intersection with The Rising, a large and illustrious sculpture by artist Zhang Huan. At once a dragon and a tree, it extends all the way to the 3rd floor with birds flying into the ceiling of the lobby, extending the outdoor art piece indoors.

Community & People, History & ArchitectureFête ChinoiseOctober 28, 2022Shangri-La Hotel, Luxury Hotel, Hotel, Shangri-LaComment

Designing Moments · Part 2: Style in Sport Culture, Stationery & Jewellery 從產品設計尋根【貳】

The second part of the series of Chinese-inspired design in North America, explores some distinct stationery and fashion items. Fête Chinoise also collaborated on some projects with partners in all three categories of stationery, sports and fashion. If you want to nominate products inspired by Chinese culture, that are well-designed, please share with us for a chance to be considered in the next design annual.

Design DialogueFête ChinoiseOctober 26, 2022Chinese Style, Chinese Design, Calligraphy, Graphic Design, Packaging DesignComment

To Paradise Found: The Tale of Two Shangri-Las ‧ Part 1 — Vancouver 消失‧尋找：地平線上香格里拉的設計密碼【壹】

Vancouver, BC. In the drawer of the wooden nightstand, you will find a small blue coloured hardcover book titled The Lost Horizon by James Hilton. The story of the Shangri-La brand is inspired by the one in the book, a mythical utopian lamasery located high in the mountains of Tibet where people do not age and are detached from any woes or worries. In a dream world of beauty, rivers, streams, abundant fruits and thriving nature, there are breathtaking landscapes — beyond the book, this is certainly a fitting description for beautiful and lush Vancouver, where the Shangri-La hotel is nestled.

History & Architecture, Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseOctober 21, 2022Shangri-La, Shangri-La Vancouver, Luxury Hotel, HotelComment

A Diverse & Inclusive Evening at the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards 2022

Canada celebrated its in-person comeback of the most fashionable night in, at the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards on October 15th, 2022, which paused for a year due to the pandemic and had a virtual show in 2020. Nominees, Honourees, Sponsors, and Guests dressed in Canadian labels to toast some of the nation's most talented creators ad artists in the fashion industry.

The Bopomofo Moment That Made for a Major Line Up in Downtown Markham

The Bopomofo pop-up was held inside Kiu Restaurant in Downtown Markham yesterday, with Philip Wang and Eric Wang. In Edition No. 6 of Fête Chinoise Magazine (Time + Tempo), we featured a piece on the concept of recreating nostalgia at his new cafe, Bopomofo. At the time, the pandemic had shut down, much of the hospitality and food industry and travel was halted, but we managed to get a great story from Phil on his inspirations behind his new venture.

Community & PeopleFête ChinoiseOctober 14, 2022Bopomofo, Philip Wang, Asian American, Asian FoodComment

Designing Moments · Part 1: From Chic Chili Sauce to Festive Fashion 從產品設計尋根【壹】

The beauty of Chinese heritage is a fascinating source of inspiration for designers across disciplines. Modern design has the ability to rejuvenate cultural heritage and traditional handcrafts, connecting today’s dialogue with the past. In this editorial, we introduce some interesting designs and products that are inspired by Chinese cultural elements, preserving heritage with design.

Design DialogueFête ChinoiseOctober 14, 2022Chinese Style, Chinese Design, Calligraphy, Graphic Design, Packaging DesignComment

Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze: Thirty-Six Views of Lion Rock 獅子山三十六景, a Collector’s Gem

Print is for from being obsolete. Beautiful photo books have become collectors items and coveted print pieces that capture the spirit of collective memory. Celebrated photographer, Romain Jacquet-Lagrèze, launched a brand new book and solo exhibition, Thirty-six Views of Lion Rock 獅子山三十六景. It was unveiled at Blue Lotus Gallery in Hong Kong from September 8th to October 9th, 2022.

Flower Numbers 花碼字: A Chinese Counting Legacy 中國數字之小歷史

Have you seen this unique numbering system at restaurants and markets in Hong Kong or other Chinese cities? These are Suzhou numerals, one of the ancient Chinese numbering styles. Today, only retro institutions and grocery shops in Hong Kong would still list their prices in Suzhou numbers — but now you’ll know how to read all the symbols after reading this article!

History & ArchitectureFête ChinoiseOctober 7, 2022Flower Number, Suzhou Number, Chinese NumberComment