Stuart Weitzman’s Chinese site. Coming off a strong 2014 in China—where its accessible luxury image has helped the brand sidestep the ongoing anti-corruption crackdown—this week it was reported that Coach has agreed to purchase American high-end footwear brand Stuart Weitzman. The deal, valued at an estimated $574 million, is expected to help Coach branch further…
China’s New Couture Committee Is Bringing Its Own Emerging Designers to Paris
On the eve of this week’s haute couture shows in Paris, a new invitation-only committee has reinforced the notion that young Chinese designers are an increasingly rich vein of new talent. Taking over the historic 18th century Hotel d’Evereux next to Schiaparelli on the Place Vendome, the New Couture Committee was the catalyst for a…
Fashion World’s Love For ‘Migrant-Worker Plaid’ Draws Ridicule From China’s Net Users
Street-style photos of prominent fashion world figures wearing “migrant-worker plaid” looks. As millions of Chinese migrant workers head home to see their loved ones for Spring Festival this week, many of them are touting oversized plastic travel bags with a distinct plaid pattern that is typically considered anything but high-end fashion. However, the ubiquitous print…
Business of Fashion’s CEO Amed on China’s Style Tribes of the Future
Click:durian cat bed Imran Amed began his fashion career on his couch in London, writing a blog about the fashion business in the evenings while consulting for emerging designers during the day. Today he is founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the Business of Fashion. Amed has interviewed some of the biggest names in fashion including Karl…
New York Fashion Week Interview: Fashion Designer Vivienne Tam Honored At China Fashion Night Gala
Vivienne Tam at Tokyo Fashion Week in March 2013. (Women’s Wear Daily) Since debuting her first contemporary women’s collection nearly two decades ago, China-born, Hong Kong-educated, New York-based Vivienne Tam has become a household name. Celebrated for her innovative, feminine, East-meets-West designs, the iconic designer will be honored during the inaugural China Fashion Night Gala taking place tonight at…
Is Burberry’s Simple New Logo Catnip to Copycats?
Last week, for the first time in two decades, the British heritage luxury powerhouse Burberry revealed a new logo and monogram. It’s all part of an ambitious rebranding effort under the leadership of new creative chief Ricardo Tisci. The straightforward block lettering, however, has caused a wave of concern among Chinese consumers who worry it…
Chinese Designers Have Their Eye on the Jedi with Star Wars Fashion Collaborations
Items from Chinese label Rfactory’s new official Star Wars collection. (Courtesy Photo) Once Darth Vader hits the catwalks, there’s no denying it—the force is now with big names in the Chinese fashion scene as part of a Disney marketing campaign that is spreading across industries to get Star Wars fans excited for the upcoming film….
Value Retail Cashes in on Chinese Shoppers’ Turn Toward Experiential Luxury
Value Retail’s Suzhou Village outlet shopping location, which opened in May 2014. (Jing Daily) With sky-high prices for luxury goods in mainland China, Chinese shoppers are making most of their purchases abroad and outlet malls are popping up all over the country. European luxury outlet retailer Value Retail is one of the major players expanding…
Beverly Hills Department Stores Welcome Chinese Tours With Open Arms
Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills. (rocor/Flickr) A Hollywood Reporter article today reports that Chinese shopping tour groups in Los Angeles are still going strong, and Beverly Hills department stores are going all out to make sure the buses roll up to their front doors. In addition to places like Saks Fifth Avenue offering Mandarin-speaking associates and taking…
With Sneaker Con’s Hong Kong Debut, Sneakers Enter the Luxury Firmament
When Michael Jordan’s sneaker—worn during the 1984 Olympics—sold for $190,000 at auction in June, it showed that sneakers have entered the realm once reserved for the luxury goods produced by brands like Hermes, Gucci and Prada. Sneaker Con, an event for sneakerheads that unveils the newest offerings from a range of designers, including high-end collaborations,…