NLGX is a Beijing-based design community and brand founded by Ed Hung and Michel Sutyadi in 2008. After witnessing first-hand the changes taking place in China’s ancient capital city, Michel and Ed decided to capture the new spirit of the city with a fresh and unique lifestyle brand. Inspired by Beijing’s development into a multicultural melting pot of artists, entrepreneurs, travelers and global-minded individuals, together as NLGX they create original designed apparel. Notes on Design spoke to Ed and Michel this week to uncover more about the NLGX journey.

Notes on Design: Where are you both from, and how did you meet?

NLGX: Ed was born and raised in San Francisco, USA whilst I was born and raised in Germany. Both of us, however, are of Chinese descent, which makes our move to China a bit of a homecoming (albeit, a generation or two later). We actually met in Beijing back in 2005, after each having spent some time at Wudaokou (Beijing’s “student central”) studying Mandarin.

Notes on Design: Why did you decide to set up NLGX?

NLGX: The sequence of events that led to the birth of NLGX were quite random and opportunistic, like many new ventures; from a friend’s Christmas party, Ed deciding to “rough it” by living in the hutongs (the Old City of Beijing), a blog about a trendy hutong neighbourhood in Beijing called Nanluoguxiang, a lunch at a backpackers café, to a small “For Rent” sign on a dusty window. Our flagship store, subsequently, opened in March 2008 on Nanluoguxiang. Read the rest of this entry »

With strong ethical and social motivations and an awe-inspiring work schedule, Amisha Ghadiali is a Jewellery Designer working in London. Alongside running her own label Amisha: Elegance.Rebellion, Amisha is also the Associate Director of the Ethical Fashion Forum and Founder of political fashion campaign, Think Act Vote. We caught up with Amisha this week to find out exactly what she’s up to.

Notes on Design: Can you give us a brief insight into who you are and what you do?

Amisha: I am one of those people that doesn’t easily fit into a box. I am an activist for positive social change, a designer, a campaigner, an entrepreneur, a writer, and a connector. My favourite eco-fashion designer Mark Liu recently did a “Unicorn” collection, which is inspired by the idea that, in an unpredictable world, attempting the seemingly impossible is not only the most exciting, but also the safest thing to do. Liu says that the key to the future lies with those who have the imagination, courage, and will to chase seemingly impossible “unicorn” ideas. I like to think that I am one of those people.

Notes on Design: So, how did your career start?

Amisha: I studied Politics at Leeds University. It was really interesting to have that time and space to learn about the world and theories of change and growth. I worked in Politics and International Development for a while including for Congressman Cardin in DC, John Battle MP and on the Make Poverty History campaign. Read the rest of this entry »

Originally from South Korea, Currie Lee is a fashion designer now based in Beijing. After retiring from law, Currie founded DimSum of all things Asian: D-SATA by CuR, an ethics-based brand that subtly incorporates luxury fashion with social and environmental concern. Her products are carefully crafted with upcycled, natural materials, such as snake, fish and frog skin (originally caught for consumption in local Asian villages); all pieces are also manufactured in Southeast Asian “cottage industries” by women who earn a living income (vs. minimum wage). In an exceptional demonstration of social responsibility, Currie illustrates that “going green and ethical” does not necessarily mean boring and low-market. We caught up with her to find out more.

Notes on Design: Where are you originally from and what brought you to Beijing?

Currie: I was born in South Korea, raised in Canada and educated in both the US and China. I haven’t really been able to decide on if/where to settle down, and consider myself to be “a girl of the world” as a result. I arrived in Beijing about 5 years ago to complete my second LLM in Chinese Law at Peking University, and I was also working at King & Wood law firm; I have just not been able to leave!

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