TANG TING 27
Shanghai
Photographer

∎ As a photographer, what kind of work do you do?
I take some photos for magazines and commercials. I’ve also been covering indie music in China.

∎ Where does you photo inspiration come from?
My inspiration mainly comes from movies, novels and other artists. Only by communicating more with other artists can I open my mind and avoid sticking to a narrow area of inspiration.

∎ What kind of music do you like?
I listen to a wide range of music, from HK pop to domestic indie music.

∎ Do you have any favorite bands?
For domestic bands, I like AV Okubo from Wuhan and Guaili from Beijing. I often go to Yuyintang to watch live shows. As long as I have nothing else to do, I will go to almost all the shows, because I’m photographing them.

∎ Do you have hobbies other than photography?
I used to play music and DJ at venues.

∎ What’s your style?
I don’t have many thoughts on style. I wear whatever I think of, it’s very casual. I don’t like to follow the trends, just wear something comfortable.

∎ How about shoes?
Basically I only wear Converse shoes. I began to wear Converse since middle school, then stopped for awhile, and began to wear them again in 2004.

∎ How many pairs of Converse shoes do you have right now? Any pair you like most?
4 to 5. I like the black and white classics the most. Mainly because they are casual and can have a worn feeling.

LI LIN FENG 25
Shanghai
Bassist of Banana Monkey

∎ How long have you run the band? why do you choose to do music?
I’ve run the band for 3 years. At first, it was just because I liked music. Then I met some good people, and we just kept making music together.

∎ Besides making your own music, what kind of music do you listen to? Do you have any favorite bands?
I listen to electronic music most, and I like many different bands.

∎ What’s your dressing style?
I like simplicity, simple patterns and design. I especially like skinny jeans. I also like retro clothes and music.

∎ Where do you buy apparel?
I often go to Anxi Lu for second hand clothes. Sometimes I shop online.

∎ Do you have any favorite brands?
Converse. I began to wear Converse a long time ago and now wear them all the time. I think the brand is very stylish and loved by rockers

LU JUE 21
Beijing, Shenzhen, Shanghai
Fashion design major at Donghua University

∎ What’s your favorite kind of music?
I like listening to 60’s and 70’s psychedelic rock, rock and electronic music. I especially like going to live venues for shows, for instance, Yuyintang.

∎ Do you think music has an impact on your fashion design and sense of style?
A very big impact. I liked goth music during middle school, so I liked black goth clothes. Lately, I’m into psychedelic rock, so I’m wearing psychedelic feeling clothes today. I think we need to have certain themes for what we wear, choosing clothes based on our mood. Generally, I am influenced by music and movies.

∎ Where do you go to shop for clothes?
Mostly from second hand markets, where I can find cheap but strange clothes.

∎ What are your favorite Converse shoes?
I prefer when my Converse shoes have been worn and look a bit dirty – it has special feeling. My favorite pair recently are the ones I’m wearing today. Purple velvet, very special.

AVIVI 25
Shanghai
Boutique owner

∎ How do you describe your style?
Comfortable and casual, with a some special details. For example, accessories such as the rivets I am wearing today. I think rivets are very rock n’ roll. I like to wear clothes with conflict. For example, hard and strong matched up with soft and girlish, for some special effect.

∎ You used to work in fashion design, where did your inspiration come from?
Mainly some paintings, old photos, and people.

∎ What kind of music do you listen to?
Trip hop for now. I listen to a wide range of musical, as long as it’s good.

∎ Why do you like Converse?
Mainly because there are lots of variations, but its core remains the same. And when your feet feel tired and don’t you want to wear high heel, Converse is so suitable.

GU SHU CHEN 26
Shanghai
Fashion Marketing Student

∎ What kind of music do you listen to?
I listen to a wide rage of music, basically all genres. I listen to different music based on my mood. I like live music. I don’t go frequently, but I really love the atmosphere. I know many people making music and I’m very influenced by them.

∎ Do you have any favorite bands or musicians?
I pay more attention to their looks. The musicians I like are not fixed, they change as time passes.

∎ Is your style influenced by music or movies?
Movies more. I like European classic movies, so I like vintage and retro style.

∎ Do you wear Converse shoes a lot?
Only Converse and high heels. I like Converse because you don’t have to wear them in a formal way so you don’t need to keep them clean. You can wear them in whatever way you want. Very casual, no need to maintain anything.

HUA YAN JUN 24
Shanghai
Designer

∎ What kind of music do you like?
Various, slow triphop, cool indie pop, powerful electronic.

∎ Do you have favorite bands or musicians?
All bands from Iceland.

∎ What’s your personal style?
Casual and lifestyle.

∎ Does music influence your style?
Definitely not only style, music influences everything.

∎ Do you wear Converse a lot? Why do you choose Converse to match your clothes?
Yes, a lot. In fact, these clothes are to match with my Converse shoes.

∎ When did you start to wear Converse?
Secondary school. One day after dinner.

∎ How do you clothes and shoes express your personality?
Through chemical reaction. I picked this pair before stepping out.