Xiyuan 29 Fashion Creation Base (formerly Taipei Fashion Culture Hall)

It exists to work closely with the nearby Mengjia clothing district (Dali clothing district) to build a fashion base for Taipei. The building's design centres on the idea of a tree. It sees itself as a creative tree whose roots draw on the history and culture of Wanhua to nurture Taiwanese fashion design talent, and whose branches then spread that creativity to support and revive the surrounding Mengjia clothing district. One of its main tasks is to match district businesses with resident designers and build examples of cooperation. It also works with college and university departments to offer students internships and visits, linking design with marketing and the garment industry. The final aim is to raise the profile of Taiwanese design and take local brands to the international stage. The 1F lobby is all white, intended as a fashion information space for the five senses and a stage that sets off designers' work. A coffee bar in the corner lets visitors sit with a coffee, look at the clothing on show and read design books and magazines in search of inspiration. Videos introduce the cultural history of Mengjia and the styles of the resident designers, and interactive motion-sensing screens introduce each designer. 2F is the designers' working floor, with their studios, and is not normally open to visitors. It has pattern-making space and a range of trims and materials provided free to designers so they can create their work. New fashion designers with international market potential are to be selected each year to take up residence. 3F is a space for small fashion shows, talks and performances. The ceiling has movable partitions on tracks, and the tracks are laid out as a map of the streets of Mengjia, a link with local culture. Design departments can also hire the space for classes or shows.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.