BEIJING, Oct. 16 -- The urban lifestyle design store, Design Republic, marks its first anniversary of selling some of the world's best and trendiest designs that appeal to a wide spectrum of users.

    The Design Republic at No. 5 on the Bund in Shanghai is now offering its own brand, neri & hu, after its founders Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu. The flagship store carries home furnishings and accessories, from "osnap" sofas to a modern take on traditional zisha clay teapots.

    In its first year, the store introduced two significant design lines, Tom Dixon with Tom Dixon and Marcel Wanders with Moooi. These two forces in international design have not only found their place in the Shanghai design community, but also created quite a buzz among expats. It has been supported by the British and Dutch consulates general in Shanghai.

    Earlier this month, the famous British designer Ross Lovegrove was invited to join a discussion about the new Muon sound system speaker, sharing his experiences in design and technique, aesthetics and material with local designers and media.

    "Design Republic was created as a place where the best designs in the world can be showcased in Shanghai and the design community can use it as a platform to exchange ideas, draw inspiration and make selections for clients," Neri says.

    "At the same time, our beliefs must be disseminated for the purpose of delivering our own concept while introducing great design from China to the rest of the world," he adds.

    Now, Neri and Hu are proud that a preview of their own brand of products under name neri & hu is available to shoppers.

    "It reflects our collective vision of modernity balanced by heritage, aesthetically and literally," Neri says.

    "It is a free expression of who and where we are, demonstrated through touch, scale, passion, craft, perspective and quality. The brand brings home a new domesticity."
The neri & hu collection includes room dividers, mirrors, wooden stools, hatch chairs, "osnap" sofas, table ware, special zisha clay teapots in modern design, a puzzle of zodiac signs and other home accessories.

    Design Republic has been cited in Monocle magazine's 25/25 section about where and what to get "something for someone you love."

    Neri says the design company will be showcasing itself globally, offering select neri & hu items at Droog At Home in Amsterdam, and taking part in the DMY "design cluster (Asia)" exhibition in Berlin.

    As it begins its second year, Design Republic will begin a new chapter. It will continue to augment its collection with more distinguished brands in a central design hub.

    "We will be introducing a new VIP program (for customers), Design Society (for designers and architects) and curating more design exhibitions for the growth of these communities," says Neri.

    (Source: Shanghai Daily)