Leading China’s foray into international fashion are EXCEPTION and WUYONG, new wave fashion brands designed by Ma Ke. Celebrated for her creative approach to fashion, Ma is most acclaimed for merging environmentally-concious fabrics and recycled materials with traditional dyeing, weaving and embroidery techniques. Whilst she is lauded for an impassioned display of reverence toward tradition and green thinking, her unorthodox collections and anti-consumerist statements have earned Ma a sizable reputation for being anti-fashion.
First established in 1996, EXCEPTION is currently available across China with major presence in the burgeoning cities of Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou. Consisting of women's clothing made from locally sourced cotton, silk, linen and wool, plus other accessories and items, EXCEPTION endeavors to create a form of contemporary living art based on oriental philosophy, with emphasis on Chinese culture and originality.
In 2006, to the delight of the fashion world, the inimitable WUYONG brand was established. Literally meaning ‘useless’, WUYONG is produced using traditional manufacturing techniques that comprise spinning, weaving, dyeing, sewing and even the use of a 19th century Chinese loom. Coveted not only in China, WUYONG’s collections have generated significant impact in Paris as well – on and off the runway.
Both brands are owned and marketed by Mixmind Art & Design, a company founded in 1996 by Mao Ji-Hong and Ma Ke. Believing in the value of creativity, the company is dedicated to transforming originality into intellectually-relevant clothing and lifestyle.
Mao graduated from the Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology (EMBA) in 1990, with a major in clothing design. Widely associated with the success of Mixmind, Mao has spoken extensively throughout China about creative entrepreneurialism. In 2009, he participated at the China Fashion Forum as moderator and the featured keynote speaker. A recipient of many accolades and awards, Mao was selected by the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business as ‘2007 Man of the Year’
