“Keep it Quiet” is the name of the semi-public bar at Yongfoo Elite, the private members club located in the diplomatic quarter of Shanghai. So I’m especially grateful that its General Manager, Lori Li, broke her own rules to speak to me in this week’s episode.     

As well as spilling the beans on the club itself, Lori and I talk about Shanghai’s status as a world centre of style and fashion, and she walks us through the changing interpretation of what luxury means in China. You may think you know how Chinese people view luxury, but like everything in China, these trends have a habit of changing very quickly. So I hope that this interview helps to keep you updated on the latest interpretation.     

Lori Li’s object: A wine glass dating back to the Han Dynasty.

Lori Li’s favourite WeChat sticker: A panda destroying an office.
(Add @oscar10877 on WeChat to join the Group and see the original sticker)

Lori Li: Some images from the club’s building and grounds.

Lori Li: Some images from the arts and music events hosted at the club.

Lori: The club’s founder, Mr. Wang Xingzheng.

Lori Li: The person who introduced her to the club’s founder was Jin Xing (金星).

Lori Li: Two memorable visitors to the club were Karl Lagerfeld and Paul Smith.

Lori Li’s favourite China fact: the existence of stone inscriptions at tourist sites.

Lori Li’s favourite Chinese word: 时髦 (Shímáo), meaning something between fashion and style.

Lori Li’s favourite places to visit in China: Any 五线城市 (5th tier city), such as this one she recently visited in Guǎngxī Province.

Lori Li’s favourite place to eat: 串串香麻辣烫 on 襄阳南路, otherwise known as “The David Lynch Málàtàng”.