Top Hat Optional: Monocle Shop Opens in Beijing

No, they don’t sell monocles. Not the one-eyed corrective lenses, anyway. This exclusive boutique is the retail extension of Monocle, the super-stylish global culture magazine headquartered in London.

The first Monocle Shop opened in London in November 2008 as a pop-up for Christmas, but was made permanent due to its success. Beijing marks its sixth boutique in the world, joining London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Osaka.

The Monocle Shop Beijing is located inside the newly opened Royal Smushi House. No different from the other international branches, the space is small at 15sqm – although shop manager Pepe Chan points out it is bigger than the 9sqm London shop – with a carefully curated collection of art prints, fragrances, stationery, accessories, music and books.

Every item is brand-approved, high-quality and likely involves a designer collaboration, from the Monocle x Comme des Garçons candles to the Orlebar Brown swim trunks.

The average Beijinger will probably find most of the products overpriced (luggage tags by Italian luxury brand Valextra go for RMB 1,100), but for those interested in highbrow art and design, this shop makes an exciting addition to the Beijing shopping scene.

Chan points out that many items have already sold out, and that many more (i.e. the British designer Bill Amberg’s canvas bags, the Porter products, the Kitsune pen shirt) are running low. The magazine issues themselves, all prominently laid out on display on the shelves, are as of yet not for sale. Look out for a more detailed review in our upcoming October issue.

Inside Royal Smushi House. Daily 9am-11pm. 8 Dongzhimenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6416 9664) 朝阳区东直门外大街8号

Photos: Tiffany Wang