Campo Fashion Market--Originality for Sale

The people of Taiwan became acquainted with Wang Yiying because of "Noodoll" and her two Fashion Market books.

"'Market' refers to London's historic Spitalfields Market. I added the 'Fashion' myself." After arriving in London to pursue her master's degree, Wang spent a great deal of time strolling about London's Spitalfields Market and UP Market looking for originality. Frequenting these places gave her the opportunity to make friends with many of the avant-garde artists and designers that congregate in these bohemian-esque venues and to hear their stories. Three years ago, she decided to compile some of these interesting trendsetters' stories into a book.

"The fashion market drew me--the atmosphere was one important factor," explains Wang. In the fashion market, there is a kind of atmosphere... human interaction driven by business transaction. One moment, you are just browsing... the next, without even thinking about it, you strike up a conversation with the stall owner. You talk about creative inspiration... about what makes their work special. Actually buying something is secondary.

"Vendors at the markets don't make a lot of money... not nearly enough to live on. Although the artists aren't able to make a living off of their own creativity, they stick to their guns... working regular jobs to keep their dreams alive. You can't help but admire their passion for creation."

These creative people, of whom Wang thinks so highly, come in all ages and colors. The price range of their work spans the gamut from thousands of pounds a pop to going for just a song. They sell everything from jewelry to clothing and accessories. Some even offer handmade magazines with hand-printed T-shirts. Some of the vendors, like Wang, have caught the eye of big companies and started their own labels.

From one to another

Only writers that have hearts that can be touched can touch the hearts of others. Fashion Market was an instant success, triggering a fashion market craze. It also sold 20,000 copies in Taiwan, a rare feat indeed for design-oriented books, to become Eslite Book's best-selling book for 2004 in the art and creativity category.

In Taipei, some fashion markets are held regularly in fixed locations, while some are more mobile bazaars held in tandem with major concerts or art events. "All of them share common points: They spotlight individual creativity and youth culture," observes Hsi Fun, chief editor of Garden City which published Fashion Market.

"If we take Campo, located in Hsimenting and presently Taipei's largest fashion market, in addition to the vendors, you will see live DJs and fashion shows with models wearing clothing and accessories designed by fashion market participants," Hsi explains. "You frequently see other things including elements from the youth subculture, like role-playing."

Held once a month for a total of six times so far, the weekend Campo fashion market sees as many as 20,000 visitors. Normally quiet, Kangting Road's Taipei Cinema Park becomes a hubbub of noise on market days. All afternoon until nine at night, it's one big outdoor party.

Squeezed among the crowd of 20-somethings, you'll find knickknacks, dolls, and handmade silver jewelry with prices starting at a few hundred NT dollars. You also see a great deal of unique photography, paintings, and decorative items. The poet Hung Hung, who set up a fortune telling booth here, says, "You've got to come here to experience the young fashion market."

In addition to highlighting creativity and individual style, most of these creative people are still students or have jobs. The fashion market is not their mainstay.

Fun vs. money

Although most people don't depend on this for a living, some young people with high aspirations view fashion markets as a proving ground for determining whether or not the public likes their work.

Mai, whose dolls are very popular among university students, explains that he and his friends started taking part in fashion markets back in February purely for the fun of it. He won't necessarily make this a career, but fashion markets have given them the opportunity to show their dolls. They now have a toy company acting as their agent to sell their dolls.

Chao Chun-en, a 20-plus artist who with friends sells hand-drawn cards and postcards from their own booth at the market, stresses, "We're just here to have a good time." A broadcasting major, Chao puts it this way, "Like Hallmark, our services include helping others say 'I'm sorry' and 'I like you.' From design to production, we do it all. And if it doesn't work, we don't charge you."

"A good time. That's what it's all about." Whether you are here to sell your wares or just to browse, what she says says it all.