Calling all Hello Kitty fans... There's a hot new cartoon character coming to town
Hi Panda, a cartoon-graphic brand, is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an exclusive launch at Harvey Nichols.
Starting in Shanghai in 2000 in the workshop of young artist, Ji-Ji, Hi Panda has gone on to become a Chinese phenomenon.
Part-owned by Antoine Arnault, (who also happens to be Louis Vuitton’s Head of Promotion), the brand has developed over the years to encompass clothing, art and ‘hip-pop’ lifestyle.
With inspiration ranging from post-1980s China, hip-hop culture and Ji-Ji’s own dreams, there are 3 main characters – Happy Panda, Evil Panda and Wounded Panda - with a new design exclusive to the UK.
With the womenswear collection going into store this week, there will also be a coinciding pop-up exhibition on Harvey Nichol’s quirky 4th floor in October, with everything from Hi Panda silk-screen prints, paintings and sculptures - which were an instant sell-out at hip Parisian boutique, Colette.
Ji-Ji’s art has gone from strength-to-strength, with an installation at the V&A in 2008 and a recent exhibition at Paris’ Palais de Tokyo.
So with Ms Wintour's seal of approval, andcelebrity kudos in the form of Kanye West and Pharrell, expect all things weird and wonderful from China’s hottest new export.
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