2011 Trend Hunting

2010 will go down in the record books as the year Haibao took over Shanghai’s shrubbery, the Spanish invaded our restaurants and we lost all control over leggings. As we move into 2011, the outlook looks good – well, that’s what our Magic 8 Ball said anyway. We pulled clairvoyant rabbits out of hats, cracked open fortune cookies and, when all else failed, interrogated industry insiders in art, dining, fashion, music and property to find out the top 11 trends of 2011.

“Classic fine dining will ultimately leave the scene. People want good food in an informal setting for an affordable price – the future is smaller restaurants where the chef is there and consumers receive personal attention.”

- Siem Bierman & Onno Schreurs, co-founders of Dining City

Brad Turley, chef-owner of Goga agrees, forecasting a trend toward small neighbourhood restaurants helmed by experienced chefs.

“Two major international brands will come to Shanghai. They will be at the calibre of Nobu and Robuchon – super top names.”

- David Laris, chef and rampant restaurateur 

The prince of Shanghai’s dining scene goes on to say that The Michelin Guide will announce its first foray into China in 2011, coinciding with the big name guys who are already Michelin darlings – but the first guide won’t come out until 2012.

“After all the international imports of 2010, I think 2011 will see a return to local. There will be more of a focus again on strengthening Shanghai’s artists and institutions, rather than trying to go so global.”

- Lisa Movius, art, fashion and lifestyle journalist

In disagreement, Art Labor’s Martin Kemble believes the city can look forward to a slew of ‘good foreign shows’, while twocities’ Eva Ting sees a rise in contemporary Middle Eastern art.

“I think local Chinese designers will continue to proliferate and garner more attention, but largely fail to find much traction with either local or international consumers.”

- Lisa Movius

The fashion writer goes on to note that the exception to the rule will be affordable, well-designed products for the lower middle class.

“Property transaction volume will continue to slow and prices should stabilise in the short-term. However, if the government moves forward with the introduction of an annual property tax this spring as rumoured, a drop in prices is a possibility due to the tax being based on value.”

- Brent Beisher, owner of Build Property Management

Beisher, who also happens to be a former estate agent, thinks this is as good a time as any to invest in property.