ParkLU

Ever feel overwhelmed by Shanghai's myriad shopping options? If so, then new website on the block, ParkLU could be the answer to your purchasing prayers. Founded by New Yorker Kim Leitzes, the Chinese language site offers a few refreshing twists on existing offerings, both through its content and recommendation, as well as gorgeously unique illustrations by young design talent, Tu Qian.

"I've been in Shanghai a year or so now, and when I first got here, I was of course meeting lots of new people", Kim recalls. "I'd ask where I should go to buy certain things, and whilst some would have the answers, some would be really vague. It sparked the idea to create something people can trust both in terms of quality and also specific information".

To that end, Kim and colleagues regularly take to the streets, scouring shops and stores for Shanghai's gems. "We only feature products we love", explains Kim "Quality of the material, price to value, whether it's just an imported and therefore expensive foreign brand that has just as good a China counterpart – these are all things we try to weigh up. We want to find unique products – all too often stores will stock the odd Qipu Lu item at a ridiculously inflated price... I'd say that's the biggest hurdle in us recognizing a store. If it's not original or not that special we give it a miss."

Senior writer, Charlie, chips in: "We find the best on Taobao too – and unlike lots of fashion magazines actually buy the stuff so we can see the quality for ourselves. We also do lots of work on boutiques – a great recent find was Dong Liang on Fumin Lu; they just came to Shanghai from Beijing and it's basically three stories of Chinese designers. It's a constant flow, but for us, being new isn't enough – it has to be good."

As well as being a handy resource for Shanghai shopping, Charlie and the ParkLU editorial team also create fun, quirky lifestyle pieces inspired by current events. The recent and infamous Wendi Deng/ Rupert Murdoch/ Custard Pie debacle, for example, was given the ParkLU treatment and turned into a call to action: show some spirit, Chinese women, and exercise regularly so that you too can be prepared for whatever life throws at you – even pies.

But perhaps the most appealing element differentiating ParkLU from other fashion/ women's sites out there is its presentation. "So many Chinese sites have 20 or 30 categories and can be kind of overwhelming – that's not what we're about, we're quality not quantity", explains Kim. "In these times of convenient fast communication through Weibo or whatever we wanted to create something with a more personalized feel."

Going some way to achieving just that are beautiful, whimsical illustrations throughout the site by ParkLU's illustrator extraordinaire, Tu Qian. A graduate of Shanghai Theater Academy, it is she behind the colourful and almost daydreamy doodles of women shopping, taking afternoon tea, walking in the park and generally enjoying life's simple pleasures.


"When I was young I learnt Chinese painting, but drawing and illustration was always my hobby", Tu Qian explains. "I would draw every day from the age of 6 or 7. I studied Graphic Design in Shanghai so now my drawing is on PhotoShop and a tablet! At the very beginning when Kim and I discussed her vision for the website, I totally fell in love with her idea."

The fledgling site has two strands – 'Online', which details items that can be purchased here in China, and 'Shanghai', its more city-focused and local little sister. Whilst there's no plans for an accompanying English language version just yet, Kim is keeping an open-mind as to the future of ParkLU. "To be honest with you, I was surprised to hear the recent news that Style.com is launching a print magazine – not because I think they're in decline, I don't – but because I feel there's just so much that can be done in an online arena. For one thing, it's so much more mobile – who knows? A ParkLU app could work one day!"

For now, though, the company is expanding its reach through partnerships with the likes of ecommerce gem, ShopBop, as well as offering ParkLU Perks: discounts to loyal readers with favorite designers and stores.

So, if it's quality and unique fashions you're after, do take a look and register for their newsletter here. Beautifully illustrated, thoroughly researched and thoughtful in approach, ParkLU is surely poised to turn heads.

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All illustrations featured in this article are (c) Tu Qian, ParkLU