Celebrities Love China Royal: Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson Talks Her CR Style

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Shaun Robinson on Access HollywoodShaun Robinson is quite the vet when it comes to style. Since joining the Access Hollywood roster in 1999 she’s seen her fair share of red carpet hits, misses, and full on malfunctions. Longtime friend of designer Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin (they met when Shikiri opened her namesake boutique), it was no secret that she would get the drop on everyone about the creation of China Royal. Thankfully for Shikiri, Shaun loved the line. She even wore the Butterfly dress on Access Hollywood the night of China Royal’s runway debut. So we picked the fashionable reporter’s brain about her favorite pieces and why she loves the brand.

You wore the Butterfly dress on Access Hollywood. Score one for China Royal! 

Shikiri and I went out to dinner about a month ago in LA and she had the dress on. I fell in love with it! I thought it was sexy and sophisticated – doesn’t show off too much, but just enough. It’s flattering for my figure, and it travels very well. I just took the dress to Miami with me because I knew I could wear it for any occasion that came up.

What are your favorite China Royal pieces?

In addition to the butterfly dress, I also love the Gold Cross Tank. It’s a beautiful piece that you can wear with jeans or pencil pants. The design is beautiful and it really makes a statement. It is perfect when going out to dinner or for a fun red carpet event.

There is also a long-sleeved sweater with horizontal stitching that is really nice and comfortable. I like to pair this one with shorts and wedges! This is also a piece that [travels well], and I am always on the road!

Travel you say? 

Shikiri and I have been friends for about 10 years. My, how the time flies! I met her when she was opening her retail clothing store on Robertson in Beverly Hills. We instantly hit it off and have even been traveling buddies, Hawaii, Miami and more. One of our fun trips was to Cabo – a weekend of girltalk, jetskiing and riding (and falling off) scooters!

Cross Tank Becomes Transitional Piece Du Jour

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Rona in a Cross tank topWe all love that perfect summer tank top. It’s usually long (sometimes only in the back), it floats against the body in a way that it hides all our imperfections, and it makes our breasts look like they were created by the angels. The China Royal Gold Cross tank, if not perfect, comes fairly close.

After giving birth to three children over a span of 17 years, Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin knows something about making clothes that compliment a woman’s best features. And from running around with a 3-year-old these days, she puts comfort and function first.

The chiffon Gold Cross Tank moves with you. It’ll take you from meeting with your business partner, to picking up dinner, to wrangling a toddler from a sandbox. In four colors, it mixes with a woman’s pre-existing wardrobe seamlessly. It’s the perfect transitional piece to take you from season to season.

During the spring and summer pair yours with your favorite cut-off shorts, high-low skirt, or cropped skinnies. When fall rolls back around throw a sleek blazer over it and add a fitted cigarette pant or trendy loose fit trousers. And during the winter, layer it underneath your favorite v-neck sweater to give your look a sweet pop of color without going overboard. The Gold Cross Tank sells for $50, but own it for only $27 on Kickstarter as a Tier 1 reward on China Royal’s campaign here.

 

 

 

China Royal Kickstarter Rewards Kick Major Butt

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Tier 1 - The Butterfly Top. Own it for $27 only on KickstarterAnyone who’s ever backed a project on Kickstarter is familiar with the kickass rewards and incentives offered to make a project come to fruition. China Royal has upped the ante on rewards by setting incentives on a tier, expanding the offerings as the pledges increase.

Tier 1 consists of two possible rewards. The basic option, for a pledge of $27 is receipt of one item from the women’s fall 2013 collection, including crowd favorites like the cross tank, the 24-Carrot gold tank, and the button up. All options are available in various colors and range in size from 0 to 24, so no one is left out. But for just $10 more backers can receive a China Royal three-tee pack. Mix and match sizes and colors for ladies and gents. They’re great for layering under blazers, light sweaters, or wearing solo.

All of these items are accompanied by a China Royal iPhone sticker, and a thank you on the official China Royal website.

Tier 2 is similar to Tier one in that it includes the iPhone sticker, and the mention, but the rewards value is higher. The goodies get yummier for a pledge of $47. Backers can choose one item from the Gold Collection, valued at $100, and a China Royal tee. Both pieces mix into an existing wardrobe seamlessly, adding to your fall wardrobe staples.

Tier 3 is just as unfussy but just as generous. Backers get all the basic package goodies, including the China Royal tee, and get to an item choose from Tier 3 rewards. The entire package is valued at $175, so for a pledge of $60 it’s a pretty sweet kickback.

Those are the basic tiers. Now we’re moving to the VIP section, and the pledge requests are higher, but the rewards are tooth-achingly sweeter.

Queen/King Backers who pledge $127 receive one reward from each of the first three basic tiers. They also receive the China Royal iPhone sticker, and of course, the all important thank you mention on the official China Royal website. For Royal Couple backers who pledge $247 or more, two items from each of the three basic tiers come along with the smaller items, a tee for yourself and a tee to share, and a little website love.

For $500 a backer can really get into the heart of the China Royal brand by becoming a designer for a day. You get to participate in a meet and greet with the China Royal design team, and attend the 2014 design retreat in San Francisco. You also get to take home one item from each of the basic tiers and a China Royal tee.

For $750 five lucky fashionistas will accompany the China Royal team to Atlanta Fashion Week. You also get to take home one item from each of the basic tiers and a China Royal tee.

For $1,000 pledge you become a Las Vegas Red Carpet backer, with an all access pass to attend the MAGIC tradeshow with the China Royal team. It’s quite a bargain to be in a room with that much design talent, and such key players in the fashion retail space. Not to mention those Tier 1,2, and 3 goodies, plus the China Royal tee.

The ultimate and top tier is for true royalty. Backers who pledge $5,000 or more is considered an Emperor Backer. This exclusive pledge reward includes travel and lodging in luxury accommodations to accompany the China Royal executive team to Jamaica for the Spring 2014 Lookbook photo shoot. Wear your China Royal Tier 1, 2, and 3 pieces while you’re there taking in the warm Caribbean sun. Your comp China Royal tee will be perfect for the flight to JA. But if you want that first look of the 2014 collection, and that coveted trip you’ve got to move on it. Only five of China Royal’s most generous backers are eligible to reap this ultimate reward.

China Royal Raising Funds on Kickstarter

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On Friday, June 7, China Royal hosted its Kickstarter Fashion Show to introduce the U.S. to the brand. Hosted by Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson at Art Murmur in Oakland, CA, the fashion show was a success—the brand being widely received by guests. Now, China Royal continues on that vein with its online Kickstarter campaign. Since 2009 Kickstarter has been helping artists, entrepreneurs, and savvy creators fund everything from comic books and films, to art shows and music albums.

See China Royal’s Kickstarter video and donate on the campaign page.

Thanks to crowd-sourcing, China Royal can offer Kickstarter supporters discounted pricing typically reserved for wholesalers. Supporters have early access to select styles from the Fall 2013 line as Kickstarter rewards. If the brand can raise $20,000, it will have the funds to begin production on the Fall 2013 line, including the Kickstarter Rewards. If $40,000 is raised, the entire Fall 2013 and Winter/Spring 2014 collections will go into production. And if China Royal’s Kickstarter supporters help raise more than $40,000, the brand will be able to launch an e-commerce platform at ShopChinaRoyal.com, so China Royal customers can shop the brand anytime, anywhere.

At China Royal diversity is celebrated, blending a hip-hop vibe with a luxury aesthetic. The buzz began to truly grow when China Royal made its Chinese New Year debut at the MAGIC fashion tradeshow in Las Vegas. Supporters and lovers of the brand’s Weekend Wear can extend that sentiment via the Kickstarter campaign, which has a bevy of rewards for early backers.

Kickstarter funders get the reward of wholesale versus retail prices for a limited time, which is about a 60% savings overall. That means campaign funders not only get their hands on the freshest China Royal gear before anyone else; they get a better deal than anyone else. It’s a total score for the consumers and for the brand, which is pleased to have the Kickstarter community donning its threads.

In the first few days, China Royal has raised $761 of its $20,000 goal. There’s still a long way to go. And with only 26 days left to make goal (and then some) the team is really pushing rewards incentives for early backers. Besides a bevy of China Royal goodies, and a mention in the Brand’s supporter honor roll, Kickstarter supporters get to be a part of the beginnings of a cool, diverse, multicultural brand. There are 26 days left to get in on the action, as China Royal works to move towards its $20K goal by July 8.

Fall for China Royal Accessible Weekend Wear

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In the summer weekends are filled with excursions to the beach, picnics, garden parties, outdoor markets, and family. But by the time New York Fashion Week rolls around it’s back to fall weather, fall routines and fall trends. Weekends are filled with preparing for the holidays, school activities for the kids, apple picking, and often sleeping in (no more early summer Fridays). Weekend fall wardrobe has to measure up. China Royal’s Fall 2013 collection includes a cornucopia of versatile affordable weekend pieces to keep you stylish, comfy, and most importantly, sane, when the weather makes that switch over.  And even better China Royal is offering this month, only all Kickstarter, their early supporters these fall looks for wholesale prices!

[one_half]Tier 1 – (Wholesale/Kickstarter Price $20, Retail price $50) The Butterfly top with a tied waist is a perfect piece to take you from day to night activities with a simple switch of your accessories. Go from your little one’s soccer match in the day (pair with skinny jeans and China Royal chic flats) to date night with the hubby (add a pair of China Royal’s wedges and bangles) in the evening. The kimono-style sleeves add drama and the subtle feather print let’s you infuse a bit of color into your look.

 

 

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[one_half last=last]Tier 2 – (Wholesale/Kickstarter Price $40, Retail price $100) But if your weekend is filled with more luxury than lounging, go for something sexy and sleek. The pleated dress with chain accent collar satisfies the femme and the funky in you. The mix of feminine through the sweet dress, and edgy with the metallic detail let’s you create any kind of persona for your outfit, and your weekend. If drinks at your favorite local watering hole are in order, then keep it casual with some cute peep toe flats and a light cropped blazer. But if a concert, or dinner at a new eatery is more your style, zhuzh it up with peep-toe pumps and a throw. Keep accessories minimal, and let the dress do all the work for the night.

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Tier 3 – (Wholesale/Kickstarter Price $60, Retail price $150) And before the weekend is gone make it to brunch, or over to your girlfriend’s for a date dish fest. Either way, Sundays are for relaxing, but not for being a slob. Comfortable and glam, the long sleeve sweater with cream stitching is neutral enough to go with virtually anything in your closet, yet still be a standout in your wardrobe. A few mimosas with the girls in your gold detailed sweater and a pair of leggings will help you forget that in a few hours you’ll have to get back to the 9 to 5. The days when you look towards and long for slipping back into your China Royal weekend wear.

China Royal Jumps On the Bay Area Fashion Roster

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The newest brand on the Bay Area list of emerging designers and fashion brands, China Royal is ready to take on the world. The brainchild of Berkeley native Shikiri Hightower Gaskin, China Royal specializes in luxury apparel for men and women on-the-go. It combines form and function, keeping lifestyle at the forefront of its designs. And it all starts with how to dress around the daily grind. Meet the team that makes it happen!

Founder and Creator, Shikiri Hightower Gaskin has always had a desire for influencing style. In 2001 she opened up a high-fashion boutique, Shikiri, on the famed Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. The boutique specialized in luxury and high-end apparel for fashion savvy women and entrepreneurs. In 2008 she decided to continue her education, and enrolled in UC Berkeley’s School of Journalism, where she received her Master’s in 2010, and a bevy of knowledge. Soon after, Shikiri had an idea. Always on the lookout for clothes that fit her lifestyle—student, wife, mom, journalist—the busy mother of four decided to create her own line of apparel, one that married her love of well-made stylish pieces, with her ready at a moment’s notice attitude. Referencing her Chinese roots, China Royal has become like her fifth child, which she feeds and nurtures daily.

Partner and head of China Royal Men, Bela Gaskin is an advocate for the everyman. From living in the city, summers spent on a countryside orchard, inner-city schools, and shifting from negotiating with businessmen to  negotiating with toddlers on the playground, he’s well seasoned in being adaptable. For Bela a wardrobe that could carry him from one setting to the next was always a priority. China Royal Men combines function and durability with luxury and style, while remaining affordable for all those business dads. So men won’t have to sacrifice look for comfort. Because for Bela, there’s no negotiating how you present yourself to the world.

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Maia Hightower joined the China Royal team as a newcomer to the fashion industry. Board certified in internal medicine and pediatrics, she studied public health and disease prevention at the University of Rochester School of Medicine’s Department of Community and Preventive Health. She also received her MBA at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. Through her studies she’s always stressed the importance of the arts, creative outlets, and women in business. So when sister Shikiri created this brand dedicated to celebrating their Asian and African American roots, she immediately wanted in. For Dr. Hightower, creating a luxurious brand experience for customers is a challenge she can’t resist.

Chief Operating Officer Keonnis Taylor-Flores is known for her departures from the beaten path. With management experience that ranges all the way from the Mid-West to the Mid-East, Keonnis brings her small town roots and big city attitude to the brand. She describes her personal style as a mixture of “funky-yet-subtle” and “classic-meets-avant garde” with a twist of vintage, as she became a lover of throwback styles at a young age. Her personal wardrobe is an assortment of colorful patterns, intricate designs, and funky accents. She graduated with a Liberal Arts degree from DePauw University, and received her MPA from Baruch College in New York. She is also a designated National Urban Fellow and currently spends her days enjoying yoga and her brand new daughter at her Oakland, California home.