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China Royal Gets Kickstarter Love From All

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ChefGarvinChina Royal continues to get and give love via Kickstarter. Whether supporters are in the food industry, the art world, or have worked in fashion for years, China Royal is a stylish fit for them. We get to know more of the brand’s Kickstarter backers and all around supporters.

Chef Gerry Garvin (pictured above) has known Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin for almost 15 years. After being the executive chef for her highly acclaimed Beverly Hills soulfood restaurant Reign, he blazed a career trail filled with household names, including working for the Ritz Carlton, Noa Noa, Morton’s and the Four Seasons Beverly Hills. The three-time author was also recently spotted working his magic at the New York City Wine and Food Festival.

What are some of your favorite items in the China Royal line?
I love the hoodies and the t-shirts. I think it’s all hot. Shikiri’s very good at that.

How would you describe your personal style?
I love a great suit, great shoes, and a nice timepiece. I work out six days a week so I like things to be fitted but not tight. I went to Nobu last night and had on a vest, a skinny Tom Ford tie, and Zegna pants. I’m not very funky though–I wear tees and things on the weekend but I like to travel in style.

What other brands will you mix and match with your China Royal rewards?
I’m a Neiman Marcus fan so I wear their jeans. Seven [For All Mankind] also makes great jeans so I can match those with a China Royal tee and a great Ferragamo shoe. I also have a couple of Paul Stuart slacks at home. I’m not really a fashion guy, and I’m absolutely not a trend follower. If it looks good to me that’s what matters. I just do me.

Screen shot 2013-10-23 at 8.44.07 AMPastor Richard Sherer has known Shikiri Hightower-Gaskin and her husband and business partner Bela for almost two years as members at his church Berith Christian Fellowship. He’s in the midst of organizing a boutique event that his Oakland  church is hosting in November where congregants and the surrounding community can donate one fashion or home item, and take a fashion or home item donated by another member.

How did you become a fan of China Royal?
Bela and Shikiri told me the plan before the line launched. They’re stylish, genuine people and they have a style that I think people would want to wear. Plus I saw their passion and excitement for the line.

How would you describe your personal style?
Business casual. I like suits, ties, hats, the whole nine. But people don’t dress that way now and I like to be comfortable. I have interesting dimensions so all my suits are tailored. I wear jeans all the time, relaxed but not baggy.

What are some trends you might indulge in this fall?
Boots are back in a big way for men, so are jean jackets, even layered with a vest. Where we live we have a few seasons, our temperatures change dramatically so you have to layer. Your look changes throughout the day. I’m interested in that China Royal [men’s] suit for mixing and matching.

Screen shot 2013-10-23 at 8.43.17 AMAzja Pryor–yes, relation to Richard Pryor on her grandfather’s side, is a busy Southern California mom who lives a lifestyle rooted in health and wellness. For her, comfortable clothing that also looks chic is a high priority for her. With a style always infused with Boho-Hippie elements she’s excited to pair her box braids do and stylish ‘tude with great new fashion finds.

Why did you become a China Royal Kickstarter backer?
Shikiri is my girl so I’ll support whatever she’s doing. That was my first inclination. Once I saw the pieces and spoke to her and Bela and saw the passion they had, and the admiration he has for her, it was touching. I saw the hoodie and loved it. I thought it was so fly I wanted to support and I wanted to get some pieces for myself.

What are some of your China Royal favorites?
I love the hoodie–the China Royal symbol on the back! I got a sample of the butterfly dress and wore it to a training in Vegas, I got so many compliments on it.

What’s your favorite look on a guy?
I love a clean looking man, a guy who can put on a button up and tailored pants or a suit with no tie, and I mean really wear that suit. Shoes are really important too, you can tell a lot about a man in his selection of shoes. I hate baggy clothes and I don’t like too tight either, those looks could just die.

What would you love to see next from China Royal?
More shoes, and purses! Accessories, a laptop bag, add-ons to the pieces I already love.

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.