Street Style: Shanghai

NIKKI LI
Owner, Arcade Bar and Arkham Club

Li has cornered the market on Shanghai nightlife, as she owns two clubs as well as a promotions company (S.T.D. Promotions) that imports acts like Simian Mobile Disco and Theophilus London. The “S.T.D.” stands for Sonically Transmitted Disease, in case you were wondering.

HOMETOWN: Shanghai

NOT EXACTLY LOVING: “EDM. It’s the worst trend in the world right now.”

FOREIGN IMPORT: “I would love to bring FKA Twigs to Shanghai.”

MAJOR SWITCH: Li worked at a marketing company for seven years, but, unhappy with the daily corporate grind, one day decided to drop everything and follow her passions.

LIHUI LIANG
Visual merchandiser, Givenchy

Even though she was born in Shanghai, Liang lived in Beijing before eventually returning to her hometown.

HOMETOWN: Shanghai

UNIFORM: Givenchy, Prada, Marni, Miu Miu

PLAYING FAVORITES: Of her many tattoos, Liang’s favorite is a drawing of conjoined twins. “It represents my multiple personalities,” she says.

READ ON: Liang maintains a massive library, and owns a curiously large collection of books about prisons. “I’m fascinated by prisons all around the world—and the reasons why people are locked up.”

AVOID AT ALL COSTS: “Let’s just say you don’t want to get caught doing anything illegal in Laos.”

VIVIAN TOTHILL
Head buyer and creative director, Zooq.com

Zooq.com is a curated site that specializes in independent fashion brands, many of which are selected by Tothill.

HOMETOWN: Taipei

UNIFORM: “Motel, Moschino, Lazy Oaf…I love bright and colorful graphic prints.”

CHIC MUSINGS: “In Shanghai, you’ll see crazy outfits, because unlike in Western cities, there’s no social stigma of looking weird. People are really open to trying new things.”

CAREER CHANGE: “I was an environmental engineer before I started working in the fashion industry. I had always been obsessed with fashion, so I finally took the leap when the opportunity for Zooq came along.”

LEAF GREENER
Stylist

A fashion editor who frequently collaborates with Chanel and H&M, she is also regarded as an unofficial spokesperson for Shanghai in international fashion circles.

HOMETOWN: Beijing

UNIFORM: “No matter what else I wear, I always try to match it with my Céline pants.”

STYLE MANTRA: “I love combining old-fashioned classics with a good dose of modern, irreverent playfulness.”

Read more in POPULAR magazine, on newsstands now.