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As a relatively new person in Shanghai, I have recently discovered the Fabric Market and I wanted to share my experience in this site as an addition to the great article that Sue wrote a couple of months back (if you haven’t read the article yet, make sure you check it out is full of very good info).
Visiting the Fabric Market can be an exhilarating experience; no matter you are a tourist just passing through or a resident of Shanghai, visiting this place will always be a fun experience. If you are one of those people who prefer to shop their clothes of the rack, probably you won’t go back for a second time, on the other hand if you are one of those people who loves designing your clothes or that you always wish that the clothes were a little bit more or less... (like me), I promise you will be going back.
Not so long ago while chatting with Rebecca, who was the first Doll to recommend me different stalls in the market, mentioned to me that she goes there every other week. I personally thought that it was too often (yeah!!!), that was before I got the ‘flavor’ of the Fabric Market, now I know better and I have been going there more often that I care to admit.
What I really love about the Fabric Market is the opportunity of play ‘fashion designer’ for the day on a safe way, after all you won’t be doing the clothes and if they can’t do it, they will tell you.
There are a few things I have learned about that Fabric Market (through extensive research, LOL) and I want to share with you:
1. Choose smartly
If ‘time’ is not on your side, choose smartly, it is more likely that the tailor will be able to do a great job ‘replicating’ (in your size) a piece of clothing they are already displaying in their stall than creating a completely new piece of clothing based on a picture you bring. Can they do it?, yes of course, but it is likely that they will need to do a couple of fittings to get it completely right, so if you need you clothes ready for next event and you don’t have time don’t go for ‘special’ designs.
2. Play Designer
Clothes can be done ‘your way’, so don’t be afraid to ask for little changes on a model that is displayed in the stall. I love that dress, can you add sleeves?, I like that shirt, but I wanted to have short sleeves, can you also add cuffs in the sleeves?. Typically the answer is yes, so you can easily customize ‘your way’ the models in display. If you are in the mood you can even go ‘crazy’ and start combining fabrics, for example can we make the dress in this fabric, but the collar and belt in this other fabric?, same as for detailing, lining, etc. Most of the time, the sky is the limit.
3. Be Specific
When ‘replicating’ a model make sure that you pay attention to all the details, it happened to me while getting a linen ‘shirt dress’ done that the tailor did not put buttons all the way down and I when I got home and I try it I was showing too much leg (not proper for work). This was not his fault, because that is how the original design was, I just missed this little detail (my bad). Solution was easy, I ask him to add more buttons, he said yes. It just took me an extra trip (I go there every week, so…), but if don’t want to go again, just make sure that you are specific about what you want or don’t want.
4. Ask for What You Want
It is very likely that you will see a model that you love in a stall, but then you won’t be able the find the ‘right’ fabric with that vendor. Ask them if they are willing to do the model if you bring the fabric from somewhere else, chances are they will say yes, at the end of the day they want your business, even if it is half of it. You need to make sure that you ask for quantities (to make sure you buy enough fabric) and also make sure that you ask them what type of fabric is suitable for that piece of clothing. If let’s say a dress is made from a very soft silk with lots of ruffles, chances are that ‘linen’ that is a harder material may not be suitable for this outfit.
5. Think outside the box
The most fun thing about the Fabric Market is that not because it has not been done YET, does not mean they cannot do it for you. I decided that I wanted to get a custom done swimsuit (I did not care for the ones I have seen around town), even though I did not find any stall showing swimsuits, I found a stall that has thick lycra (swimsuit type), I took the plunge and I asked the guy if he can do one for me and he said yes. We decided that for the first suit he will be ‘replicating’ an existing bikini (for sizing and style) that I have in ‘shanghai dolls pink’ (hot pink), but I also showed him pictures of really cool designers swimsuits that I found in internet (at very steep prices) and he said that if I like the first one, he will take the plunge and get me done one of the suits that I like (from a picture). You should cross your fingers, I may be able to get a suit that has zippers on the sides and the top (I’m thinking in silver lycra) if everything goes well. The best thing is that the guy in the Fabric Market charges me 250 yuan for a bikini (including material & labor) and the suit that I saw in internet costs USD 300 (plus shipping).
I can tell you that so far my experience with the Fabric Market has been fantastic, and I’m very happy with the things I got done. I have yet to get done a few things like a couple of summer suits (for important work meetings), I have already eyed a stall that has some cute summer skirt suits (with short sleeves) and also a ‘Burberry’ style dress.
I always like to plan ahead (I’m a designer, so I’m freakish), so I have started eyeing winter things (I know WAaaaaaY too soon), in my defense what happens is that the other day while going to pick up my ‘linen’ shirt dresses (yes, in plural) I saw a stall that has gorgeous leather stuff and that kept me thinking that the brown long leather coat that they have in display with fluffy lining could be really great in winter, not only stylish but also very cozy because of the lining. Anyway, luckily for me there is plenty time until winter starts so I can save money for the leather coat, I’m sure it won’t be cheap.
Last thing I would like to tell you about the Fabric Market, is that is like gambling at a Casino. Never take more money than the one you are willing to spend, and most important Fabric Market like gambling can be highly addictive. You probably have guessed by now, I’m already hooked up!
In the last note, as responsible for SLOWLY adding new businesses in the Dolls Directory, I have created a section called Fabric Market. The idea behind this is to be able to add information regarding stalls by SPECIALTY, in that way people looking for some specific type of clothing will be able to easily find where to go instead running up and down the 3 floors of the market. I have started collecting and inputting info based on my personal experience buy also collecting recommendations from other Dolls (including info posted by Sue in her article) hopefully Fabric Market newbie’s will find this information useful.
If you got a favorite place in the Fabric Market and you care to share the info with your fellow Dolls don’t hesitate in send me a PM @FlorG, just make sure to send me what type of clothes you got done, what kind of fabrics they have and how much you paid for your things, all this info is priceless to us, Fabric Market lovers.
Comments
I have been to Shanghai for a month now. No time for me at all. On thurday I decided to go to the fabric market. I was there just for 15 min (I didn't have more than that) but I was able to buy an already made gorgeous wrap dress. Everyons is asking me where I bought it! It makes my 'hard-work' here a little bit more bearable.