On a subtropical island in southern China, a group of cool young fashion designers march to the beat of their own drum.
Notice: Array to string conversion in /home/delectant/public_html/wp-content/plugins/jetpack/modules/tiled-gallery/tiled-gallery/templates/partials/carousel-image-args.php on line 15XIAMEN, China — “For me, the coolest thing [about the Xiamen scene] is that it is not dominated by a mature elite, but by young people,” says Shangguan Zhe, founder of the brand Sankuanz — and leader of a ‘gang’ of fashion insiders who have renounced the gruelling pace of life in China’s fashion capitals, preferring the independent spirit and laid-back vibe offered by the city of Xiamen.
“In the past, the youth didn’t have the opportunity to make a sound or have any right to speak. Today, everyone can express themselves,” he continues. “We’re still the minority here [in Xiamen], but there are many people like us in the rest of the world.”
Xiamen is a coastal city in Fujian province, historically known as Amoy. Emerging as one of southern China’s most sophisticated cities, hip boutique hotels and cafés line its long seaside promenades. Located about half-way between Shanghai and Hong Kong, the city has become an enticing spot for Chinese designers and creatives to settle and set up business.
With a population of around 4.5 million, Xiamen is anything but serene, but compared to life in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai, it is unmistakably relaxed and the fashion scene much more intimate.
In an Accenture report on prosperous but liveable Chinese cities, Xiamen is ranked fourth as measured by indicators like economic development and infrastructure, which were then balanced with aspects of the quality of life, such as the urban environment and sustainability. The city is also known for its intellectual capital and technical readiness, ranking 9th nationwide, according to a 2015 report by PwC called “Chinese Cities of Opportunity.”
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