James Chambers
From boutique shops to brands with ambition, Shanghai’s retail scene is booming
Unlike mall-centric cities the world over, Shanghai’s retail scene is brimming with boutiques and full of confidence.
Where to shop in Shanghai – 15 retailers for fashion, furniture and more
From Ficus to Labelhood and Maison Uma Wang to Maison Dongliang, we compiled 15 of our favourite shops in China’s Magic City.
Red rising: Thailand’s The Barai spa grows into a full luxury hotel in Hua Hin
Newly reimagined, the spa-focused Thai wellness retreat invites guests looking beyond the conventional hotel experience.
Leaf through a Beijing bookshop known for English-language novels and magazines
Jetlag Books is a design-led space in Beijing’s revitalised Friendship Store.
‘The right hotels find their way into the community’: Design Hotels’ Stijn Oyen on re-entering China
Design Hotel’s managing director, Stijn Oyen, shares insights on how the hotel collective adds new establishments and why now is the right time to include Chinese locations.
Five exhibitions to see in Hong Kong during Art Basel 2026
Seen all there is to see at Art Basel Hong Kong? Then flag down a red taxi and head to these five art shows that are not to miss on your visit.
Is ‘Jeremy’s Bathhouse’ the strangest exhibition at Art Basel Hong Kong?
During the city’s biggest art week, artist Chan Wai Lap unveils a surreal bathhouse inspired by a lonely snail – inviting visitors to soak, connect and rethink intimacy in a very unexpected installation.
Book your tickets and pack your bags – we’re heading to Shanghai
Shanghai is on the up. Monocle’s new conference will bring together founders and business leaders in the city for practical insight on building brands, China’s changing consumer market and expanding across Asia.
Thrifting gears: The secondhand festival winning Bangkok’s retail market
From vintage clothing to emerging Thai fashion labels, Bangkok’s flea markets are thriving. DJs, drinks and independent brands draw thousands, offering a human connection missing from the city’s mega-malls.
Shone Puipia is the brand connecting with the world on a personal level, one design at a time
A riot of colour, patterns and experimental elements is on display in the collections of the Thai fashion designer.
