Well, we tried.
After 3 years of selling locally designed Shanghai things through Smash, we've decided to close the shop. The reason is refreshingly uncomplicated: we didn't sell enough stuff.
Which is a shame, because we actually liked the stuff.
The idea behind Smash was to bring together products designed and made by people here in Shanghai — including a few things of our own — and give them a place beyond the usual plastic Pearl Towers and other souvenir-shop detritus. Apparently, the market had other ideas.
So, before we quietly take Smash out behind the shed, we're clearing out what's left of our own products. They're now discounted, some quite heavily, until they're gone.
We also want to say thanks to the local designers and brands who joined us. Smash may be disappearing, but they aren't. You can still buy their stuff directly from them, which you probably should have been doing all along.
Shanghai Athletic Shirt
The Shanghai Athletic Department, of course, never existed. We made it up, put it on a T-shirt, and apparently were the only people who thought that was a fun idea. Anyway, now it's cheaper. Only few shirts left.
Shanghai Ball Cap
You know how half the world walks around in a New York Yankees cap, including people who've never been to New York? This was our Shanghai version: our own design, for the city we actually live in. And this one, we still think is really nice.
Shanghai Monogram T-Shirt
We liked the Shanghai logo so much we put it on a T-shirt too. Turns out putting the same design on more things does not necessarily make more people buy it. Still a good shirt, though
Shanghai Tote Bag
Just look at that pattern. Designed by our own Juli and packed with little bits of Shanghai — landmarks, noodles, scooters, xiaolongbao, the whole city crammed onto a bag. Unfortunately, we are aware that everyone already owns enough tote bags.
Shanghai Cityscape Umbrella
It rains a lot in Shanghai, so naturally we assumed a beautifully designed Shanghai umbrella would make us rich. Look at that pattern — our own design, hand-drawn in the innocent pre-AI days. We still think it's cool, for what it's worth.
Greetings from Shanghai Shirt
For a while, we asked Shanghai-based designers to make T-shirts for us. This one has a duck, the skyline, some waves, and no particular story connecting any of them. It looks good though, and not everything needs to make sense — especially in Shanghai.
Hanging Out Shirt
Shanghai. Laundry hanging from bamboo poles. On a T-shirt that also says SHANGHAI in very large letters. We genuinely don't know how we could have put more Shanghai on this.
Coordinates Shirt
Shanghai coordinates on a T-shirt. Not People's Square, not the Bund, not some meaningful historical landmark — they point to one of Shanghai's most legendary nightlife institutions. Those who know, know. Those who don't can wear it anyway.
Made in Shanghai Shirt
Our one and only kids' T-shirt. For all those little Shanghai kids who can quite literally say they were Made in Shanghai. Astronaut riding a dragon included, because subtlety is wasted on children.
City of Shanghai Mug
Our first-ever Smash product, and now the last one on this list. Juli's hand-drawn Shanghai pattern — dumplings, scooters, skyline, lion dance, random rooftop cat — wrapped around a mug. We started Smash with this thing, so it feels appropriate to end here too.
