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For the very first time in my life I am very very interested in the outcome of… Miss World 2014!

Yes, Miss World. The one where pretty girls from all over the world wish world peace and cry while clutching their crystal crown.

I am now a BIG fan!

and I have a clear favorite!

 

GO CHINA PR!

A few weeks ago I was asked if I wouldn’t mind helping Du Yang 杜暘, the official Miss China PR 2014 prepare for the Miss World 2014 competition. The brief was vague yet simple, choose and pick up some great outfits for her to wear « off stage »* and coach her a little to get a better grasp on Western etiquette. The Miss World Competition will start in London tomorrow and finish on December 15th with the final election.

*Her on-stage outfits are sponsored by the classic chinese designers Ne Tiger and Guo Pei, I decline all responsibilities for them. This lovely Michael Jackson impersonator look was not my selection.

In general in China, for these type of events, simplicity is NOT the name of the game, and although my heart bleeds that she could not wear one of the amazing looks from ‘Evening’ she will be ‘mine’ only when off-stage, doing charity work, shopping, travelling or doing interviews.

which is fine.

Du Yang is officially China’s prettiest « Belle du Jour ». In real life, she is very tall, model-slim, naturally a bit shy, smiles easily and is polite to a fault, in two words: simply lovely. From a solidly middle-class background, she isn’t of one of China’s ‘modern princesses’ that aimlessly roam the streets of Beijing or Shanghai blowing daddy’s fortune shopping and (badly) driving their massive 4×4, iddle and useless. Du Yang works hard and tries her very best to be an inspiring role model for chinese younger girls. When she boarded her flight to London this morning, it was her first time going abroad.

I asked her over lunch what got her into the « Beauty Queen » world, and her answer was disarming. The Beijing born beauty shot to 1,80m at 12 years old. Her height amongst average chinese school kids made her ostracized and disconsolate throughout her teenage years and so her mom, to comfort her introduced her early to makeup and pretty dresses. Then one thing lead to another. I am sure that a part of her wants to win the « Miss World » title to get sweet revenge for her 12-year old self!

This lovely ‘girl next door’ is I think a perfect choice to represent the vibrant and contemporary young chinese modern women.

To get a scope on China’s best contemporary designers, we headed to Dong Liang in Beijing Central Park to look at some of our options. I wanted to mix cool chinese designers with H&M and Zara’s basics and get her as close as possible to the ‘real’ chinese sense of style. Ms Min in Dong Liang was perfection!

Stella Luna gave her some amazing shoes from the last collection. Stella Luna albeit with its italian sounding name is actually 100% designed and made in China by Stephen Chi. It’s a powerhouse in the footwear industry that quietly manufactures for dozens of international brands. This chinese brand, headed by a French woman, Muriel Boudon is now now turning its focus to international retail and becoming an international brand of mid-luxury shoes set to conquer Europe.

I loved these « Wonder Woman » low-boots.

 

We headed to the ultra-chic and modern aesthetic of Vega Wang’s collection. Feminine, yet strong and powerful with an intricate and beautiful cut, Vega is hailed as one of the strongest emerging designer in China. We found a few amazing dresses and the chicest skirt ensemble in burgundy.

Next stop Nan Luo Gu Xiang and Christopher Bu. Bu’s collection are often whimsical and tongue-in-cheek but with a modern edge.  They were perfect for Du Yang. In fact, the next day she was already sporting his clothes and chose his black and berries skirt for her airport/flight outfit to London.

Finally 798 for the most elegant. Yu Wanning ‘Evening » collection is chicissime. In my opinion, she belongs in the world’s most exclusive boutiques and I adore her spring collection, all of taffetas wide leg pants and impeccable sandy silk sheath. Sadly we could not pick from it as it is on its way to be graded at the factory, but the impeccably elegant black and white pieces we settled will be all over the press soon.

For sportwear and makeup only the best could do.  A couple of outfits for from Adidas x Stella McCartney and some brilliant makeup from Chanel’s presentation. Mission accomplished. Du Yang will look amazing and I want to thank Stella McCartney x Adidas and Chanel Shanghai for their assistance.

Bon voyage! Now get that crown!

God’s speed baby!

Follow her on Instagram: duyang0518

Follow me: benedictebeijing

We are very confident… *although Turkey and France are making us bite our fingers a bit…

A bientôt

b.

I want to thank again Christopher Bu, Vega Zaishi Wang, Ms Min, Stella Luna, « Evening » by Yu Wanning, Adidas x Stella McCartney, Chanel cosmetics and Kim Shanghai for their support.