From LONDON TO BEIJING

Rose Fulbright, photographer David Poole

Rose Fulbright is a lingerie designer. Born and raised in the United Kingdom, she launched her own brand in London in 2013.

Working with local British garment manufacturers only, Fulbright produces loungewear and lingerie collections that are on sale during pop-up events in London mostly for her loyal returning customers. She is regularly featured on local magazines and she is in contact with buyers from the most important department stores in the country.

Soft grey silk crepe pyjama set from Spring/Summer 2013
Soft grey silk crepe pyjama set from Spring/Summer 2013

Well, this could have been Fulbright’s story if she hadn’t been through a big change in the summer of 2014. She and her husband packed their luggage and moved to Beijing because of his appointment at the British Embassy in China. They are still living there, and they are enjoying it – the culture, the vibe, the food.

Bespoke printed silk satin robe, using paintings of cyclamen by Rose, from the Eden collection, launched for Autumn/Winter 2015
Bespoke printed silk satin robe, using paintings of cyclamen by Rose, from the Eden collection, launched for Autumn/Winter 2015

Some aspects of Fulbright’s brand stay the same, and they will never change – she is still supporting British manufacturers and the production is still 100% UK based, she is still keeping her subtle and subdued lingerie collection in a very classic and classy colour palette made of graphite, pearl and blush, and retain the integrity of the brand is still her main focus.

Everything else is different though – and Fulbright today doesn’t have time to play ‘what if’.

Since she moved to China a bit more than one year ago she has produced two loungewear collections and they are more and more suitable for customers from different countries – strong colors, bold patterns and dramatic shapes have become a new classic and she is now targeting local and international women, studying their needs and desires and understanding what makes them feel beautiful.

‘The world is so small’ she told us when we met. Apparently, being in touch with multicultural audience and media has opened Fulbright eyes, and has made her feel even more British.

2.Crepe silk satin pyjamas and a limited edition vintage Liberty print silk kimono robe from Spring/Summer 2014
Crepe silk satin pyjamas and a limited edition vintage Liberty print silk kimono robe from Spring/Summer 2014

And it seems to us this is the golden time to expose the British culture and savoir-fare to an international crowd more and more interested in what is exotic and remote. Collaboration between Britain and China is now making headlines – and not only because of Mr. Xi Jinping’s paid a state visit to the Queen.

So we definitely expect to hear more and more from Fulbright and from the other Brits who are in China making their dreams come true. Because you know, the Middle Kingdom is still the land of opportunities.