The Chester Barrie stand: the British presence at The Hub was undeniable, but the founders are committed to bringing quality from all over. (Nels Frye) The new focal points of fashion are Asian consumers, niche brands, and high-quality products with an authentic story. All three of these trends were evident at The Hub, a fashion trade…
Author: FASHIONISLANDBLOG
The Enduring Appeal Of ‘Britishness’ In China: Q&A with Radley CEO Xavier Simonet
Radley’s distinctive “Scottie Dog” logo is gaining growing recognition on the mainland. (Radley) Founded in 1998, London-based Radley exemplifies the type of affordable luxury brand sought after by China’s twenty-something fashion-lover: light on flash, colorful and light-hearted, and attractively priced. Known for their distinctive colorways and “Scottie Dog” logo, Radley’s handbags and accessories have a…
The Former English Tutor With One Million Weibo Fans: Fashion Blogger Peter Xu
Peter Xu shows off his signature style, which isn’t complete without sunglasses. (Peter Xu) Shanghai-based style blogger Peter Xu (徐峰立) is the key definition of a “key opinion leader” (KOL) in China, turning his prolific 1.3 million follower-strong Sina Weibo account into his own personal brand enterprise. Xu is famous not only for his blog,…
Indie Fashion Catalysts Launch New Platform for China’s Sustainable-Minded Designers
Independent Chinese designers want to avoid getting lumped together with the cheap goods that are still largely associated with the “Made in China” phrase in the West. Helping make this differentiation much clearer is a handful of platforms designed to support small-scale designers, creating a space for industry professionals to collaborate and address issues encircling a…
‘China Red’ Takes Hold As Top Fashion Week Trend
Looks by Tom Ford (L), Helmut Lang (C), and Bibhu Mohapatra (R, modeled by Li Wei) for F/W 2014 collections at London Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. As Fashion Week season rolls on, designers’ efforts to appeal to the lucrative China market have been apparent in everything from their shows’ front-row guests to…
JD.com Wants to Become Key Gateway to China for U.S. Fashion Brands
A model walks the runway wearing Chi Zhang at the JD Fashion Runway Show at Pier 59 Studios on February 17, 2016 in New York City. (Albert Urso/Getty Images for JD) When Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com held its recent New York Fashion Week runway show on February 17, a group of up-and-coming designers from China…
Lane Crawford Joins Retailers’ Rush To Mainland With Shanghai Opening
The contemporary womenswear section in Lane Crawford’s new Shanghai location. (Lane Crawford) Completing a trifecta of major new department store openings in China this fall that included 10 Corso Como in Shanghai and Galeries Lafayette in Beijing, Lane Crawford opened the doors of its new China flagship store in Shanghai on October 10. The 150,000…
Skater Goes Chic In China: Vans Taps Into Chinese Creative Class
A concert at a Vans marketing event in Guangzhou. (Courtesy Photo) Known mainly in the United States as a skate shoes brand with a demographic skewing adolescent and male, Vans shoes in China appeal to a much broader, trendier consumer base. At 300-500 yuan (US$38-64) per pair, the shoes also occupy a higher price bracket…
A Victoria’s Secret-Style Runway Show with Underage Girls Sparks Controversy in China
A Victoria’s Secret-type fashion runway show featuring young Chinese girls wearing revealing lingerie and accessories has caused a public outcry in the online community in China. The organizer, a shopping mall located in Southwest China, was criticized for inappropriately sexualizing young girls. Since the story broke, first by the Daily Mail on August 9, and…
China’s High-Fashion Players Are Hungry for Sustainable Design
The luxury industry has long had its eyes on China when it comes to initiatives for eco-friendly practices, with conglomerates like Kering making major moves for bringing sustainability into its China relationships. But even on a more local level, eco-friendly efforts have been gaining momentum in the country. Across China, a growing number of high-end…