TWO very different people — one a Beijing local, the other an Australian — share their thoughts on fashion, design and style. Award-winning architect and designer Liu Haowei and e-commerce PR and communications guru Susannah Clark share a passion for fashion and design with Shanghai Daily reporter Patsy Yang.

Liu Haowei

Liu Haowei represents a new generation of architects, specializing as an interior designer and public art designer. After graduating from CAFA in Beijing, he founded Core of Architecture & Art, which has become one of most innovative studios in the Chinese architecture and design field. He takes credit for a dozen major international design awards, including “Most Influential Architect in China,” “China Annual Top 10 Designers,” “AD 100 Architect” and is named “Creative Talent Designer” by the Chinese government.

My personal style is mix and match. As an architect, I don’t want be bound, whether it’s what I think or what I wear. So I prefer a natural, comfortable and casual dressing style.

The best outfit I’ve ever worn for a special occasion was my Klein Blue double-breasted suit which I wore at 2015 GQ Men of The Year ceremony.

I don’t follow fashion trends. I never try to chase the so-called trends because not all trendy items are good on me.

I usually shop for clothes and accessories in local boutiques and markets around the world. You never know what you will find.

If I had to limit my shopping to one neighborhood in Beijing, it would be Lane Crawford on the Financial Street.

My favorite fashion brand is Issey Miyake. As a result of my job, I am always attracted to something stereo, textured and distinctive. Their clothes are loose and comfortable. And I do love their exquisite draping.

The style icon I look up to is Tom Ford. He is an all-rounder. Not only a designer, but also a director, producer and scriptwriter. He and his works are the definition of high-class and sexy.

The fashion item I’m eying next is a spectacle frame. The current one has been worn for many years, so I’m thinking to buy a new one.

I collect creative rulers around the world. Although sometimes, the traditional ruler has been replaced by high-tech measuring instruments, I stick with the traditional. I have the famous Tiffany sterling silver ruler.

The best souvenir I have is a doorknob designed by master architect Antoni Gaudí. I was honored to get a doorknob designed by him.

The most memorable place I’ve traveled to was Bilbao, in northern Spain. I have to say Bilbao is an architectural heaven. There are so many famous and impressive constructions: the Bilbao Airport, the Calatrava’s Bridge, the “Fosteritos” and the Guggenheim Museum of Art.

The best thing about living in Beijing is it is traditional and modern, historical and developed.

The last book I’ve read was the Homo Deus, by Yuval Noah Harari. It explores the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the 21st century— from overcoming death to creating artificial life.

Except Beijing, the city I would love to live is New York City. I’m not a person who is stuck in the present.

Susannah Clark

Susannah Clark is the vice president of Global PR and Communication at Farfetch. With her first love in fashion retail, Clark started with a weekend job as a 14-year-old in Australia working in fashion retail, and then her first “real job” after university as a buyer for a high street fashion brand. She has already spent 17 years working in PR and communications for technology companies in the UK and Australia.

My personal style is classic with an edgy twist — I love well-cut clothes, but can’t get enough of anything with a leather detail (and I live for leather trousers), or an incredible pair of shoes. I don’t really do casual very well at all, so even if I’m wearing jeans, I need to pair them with a more dressy top or jacket.

The best outfit I’ve ever worn for a special occasion was my wedding dress. I’m Australian. I wanted to wear a little piece of home, so I chose a really simple but gorgeous dress by the Australian designer, Collette Dinnigan. It was extra special because my sister and I chose it together.

I follow fashion trends by doing a lot of Instagram inspiration hunting and I also love people-watching when I travel and when I’m at home in London. I always spot people on the street with amazing style and ask them what they’re wearing. And the “new in” email from Farfetch helps me find lots of inspiration too.

I usually shop for clothes and accessories on Farfetch, online shopping destination. It’s a dangerous place to work for my bank balance, but an incredible place to work for a total fashion lover like me.

If I have to limit my shopping to one neighborhood in Shanghai, it has to be Huaihai Road.

My favorite fashion brand is Saint Laurent because everything they make fits me well. I also love Haider Ackermann for trousers (I’m a real fan of trousers and virtually never wear a skirt or a dress).

The designer I most admire is Coco Chanel. I liked her simplicity and beautiful shapes that have stood the test of time.

The style icon I look up to is my mum. She knew how to dress for herself and be confident with everything she wore. She was way more glamorous than all the other mums at school.

The last item I added to my wardrobe was a coat in the Farfetch sale lately by Isabel Marant which I was really excited to get.

The fashion item I’m eying next is a great pair of boots at this time of year. I collect shoes and handbags. My husband is not impressed.

My grooming staples include Marvis toothpaste from Italy and Aesop facial oil. Also, I’ve always had Mason Pearson hairbrushes — ever since I was a little girl.

My signature perfume is Tom Ford Shanghai Lily.

The best souvenir I brought home was tea. Every time I travel to China I bring home jasmine tea.

The most memorable place I have traveled to was Beijing 15 years ago. It was such an incredible place to first experience China.

The last book I’ve read was The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney — a very funny dark comedy about a siblings.