National furniture mall chain Red Star Macalline launched a mini opera to market a 2-day promotion. The mini opera is adapted from opera The Lady of the Camellias, titled "the song of 2" (2 or "er" means stupid in northen China, "er" has been a popular adjective to describe stupid people online and offline in informal conversation). The video has been viewed over 4.5 million times on Youku.com so far.  According to someone from the company it only took the team 7 days to finish the video from start to finish, “we want to communicate with consumers in a playful storytelling way.”

Reviewing the biggest events of this year, we came across this fabulous illustration.

(top to bottom) the top 10 events of 2012 are:

① 18^th national congress of the Communist Party of China – Chinese new president (omitted in the illustration, you know)

② Diaoyu Islands – anti-Japan incident

③ CCTV’s “Are you happy” street interview

Xiao qinxin style aka Little Freshness

We have seen a lot of love for xiao qingxin (aka 小清新) style among Chinese youth. At first the term xiao qingxin was used to describe a kind of indie pop music genre, but now it has been used to describe fashion, movies, photography, and even objects. 

Features: light colors, canvas shoes, cotton or linen material, images with vintage effects

Keywords: xian (仙 literally meaning fairy), light, refreshing

Read more about how brands are tapping into the xiao qingxin style trend in China: HAIER LOOKS TO CONNECT STYLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The news that a Lamborghini hotel opened in China at the beginning of June has caused a lot of excitement, which quickly fizzled out when people discovered that the hotel's only similarities to the luxury automobile brand is in its name. Tonino Lamborghini, the son of the Lamborghini, created his own hospitality business back in 1981. The opening of the new boutique hotel in Suzhou marks his entrance into the luxury hotel sector in China. Tonino Lamborghini plans to open nine more hotels throughout China, including locations in Sanya, Zhuhai, Hangzhou, Xuzhou, Huangshi, and Kunshan.

While the Suzhou hotel's features are luxurious, they did not match up with our trendspotters' expectations for a Lamborghini hotel. They thought that a Lamborghini hotel would place a strong emphasis on its Italian heritage and incorporate elements of the fast-paced lifestyle associated with Lamborghini cars.

One of the hospital theme party held in Fee Café.

Alice works at a gothic-themed hangout tucked into a quiet street in Shanghai. We were keen to share her impressions of the sub-culture and understand how the cafe helps to build a community.

The Bergstrom Group: What products and services do you offer besides coffee and drinks?

Alice: We also sell Gothic style clothes, do Tarot cards readings, organize themed events, and host a weekly movie night.

TBG: Could you tell us more about the Gothic style clothes? Who are the designers or brands?

Alice: There are more and more original Goth or Gothic Lolita brands, such as 表面咒语(Surfacespell), 第69部门(The 69^th Department), Kred Lanrete, and le Flacon. Some of the brands have 7-9 years of history, they are sold online, some even internationally. The designers and most of the customers are Chinese youth. These indie brands belong to an underground culture, we just provide a platform for them.

On a Sunday in September, Hong Kong Plaza played host to Shanghai's first Fashion's Night Out. The event, sponsored and organized by Vogue, began in New York City three years ago as a remembrance of 9/11 and to promote the retail industry. This annual event keeps shops (generally luxury brands) open late. In Shanghai, participating shops included Longchamp, MCM, Coach, Tiffany's, Ugg, and more.

In New York City, Fashion's Night Out (FNO) takes over the Soho district in Manhattan. Stores, from Kate Spade to Gap to Nine West, host their own events and promotions throughout the evening. Celebrity appearances, cosmetic make-overs, live music, and free food draw queues of eager shoppers.

Shanghai's first attempt did not have the pizzazz (crowds or events) that we have witnessed in NYC but we are keen to see more at the next event. Jia you Shanghai!