Boutique Blog
Another Shanghai media mention for Mudan
11 October 2006 | written by Dan
We’re a little late getting to this (we have a good excuse) but Shanghai Talk, a popular monthly magazine in Shanghai, featured Mudan Boutique in their September issue. They had one story which mentioned places to buy pearls in Shanghai and another story on where people can buy pearls on line—and for that they chose us! You can read the interview below, and if you’d like to see how this looked in the magazine, download an image here.
Where On The Web?
For Shanghai residents, buying pearls is as easy as raising the necessary cash then hopping in a cab to Hongqiao. Now international shoppers can also join in the fun thanks to Mudan Boutique, a new online store selling local products around the globe. We spoke to one of its creators, Dan Washburn.
ST: Tell us a bit about Mudan Boutique. Is it your only job?
DW: Mudan Boutique is a small online store designed to introduce the China we have fallen in love with to a wider, international audience. We carry affordable pearls, jade and original handbags, gifts and fashion accessories crafted by local designers. And we’re always looking for new, unique products to offer customers.
In addition to Mudan, I run the city blog Shanghaiist.com and try to maintain a freelance writing career. Life is busy, but I’m loving it.
ST: Where do you source your pearls?
DW: Most of our pearls come from the famous Chinese pearl city of Zhuji, in Zhejiang Province – that’s where the majority of the world’s freshwater cultured pearls are produced. We also source some pearls from Hainan Island.
ST: From suppliers you’ve spoken to, what makes a really good pearl?
DW: There’s a lot that goes into it, and some of it is personal preference. But the main things you should look for are luster, surface quality, shape and color. At Mudan, our pearls are round or near-round with high quality luster and a near-perfect surface quality. Each pearl is hand-picked here in Shanghai. We have naturally colored white, lavender and pink pearls and dyed black pearls – you won’t find natural black freshwater pearls. The thickness and quality of the pearl coating (“nacre”) is also an important factor to consider. And when purchasing a strand of pearls, pearl size is added to the equation and so is matching – you want all pearls on the strand to be of consistent shape, color and quality. Then there’s strand length and the number of strands … it can all be pretty overwhelming!
ST: What’s your best-selling pearl item to date?
DW: The classics always sell well. Single-strand white pearl necklaces. It’s a timeless, sophisticated style. But more and more people are starting to mix things up in terms of color and size – they’re having fun with pearls.
Online we offer a variety of strand styles as well as bracelets, earrings and pendants. But we take custom orders, as well – send us a description or a photo of what you want, and we’ll make it happen.
ST: How do you find your designers?
DW: Various ways. Some are friends of friends, others we met during our travels throughout China or even while window-shopping on the streets of Shanghai. We’re always looking for creative and talented people who are keen to introduce their Asian-themed styles to a global audience, be they designers of pearl jewelry or handbags or some other unique gift item.
Shop for Mudan Boutique pearls here.
