On Wednesday, Alibaba announced a partnership with New York Fashion Week. In association with brand management company Suntchi, the collaboration will help U.S. brands reach China’s massive market for the first time while increasing the presence of Chinese designers at fashion week. As a highlight of the partnership, Alibaba will host a “See Now, Buy…
Luxury Brands See Online Frenzy for Chinese Valentine’s Day
The shopping carnival that is Qixi, or Chinese Valentine’s Day, has come and gone. And while the event, which was on August 28, may seem like just another promotional festival to put on the marketing calendar, this year, luxury brands got a little more creative with their online campaigns. As brands geared up to prepare…
Chinese Supermodel Ming Xi Pulls Out of amfAR Gala Over Dalai Lama Auction
Chinese model Ming Xi pulled out of a runway performance at the annual amfAR Gala Cannes on May 25 after amfAR published an Instagram post two days earlier noting that it would auction off a meeting with the Dalai Lama, the most prominent leader in Tibetan Buddhism. Held at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, France,…
Lane Crawford Marks 165th Anniversary with Chinese Designer Talent Showcase
The emerging designers with exhibits at Lane Crawford for its 165th anniversary celebration. (Courtesy Photo) Over its 165 years of history, Lane Crawford has seen big business from sale of Western fashion labels, but its recent anniversary celebrations made it clear that Chinese designers have a big role to play in its future. In addition…
Simon Gao’s Imperial-Chic Style Steals China Fashion Week Spotlight
A piece from Simon Gao’s S/S 2014 runway show at China Fashion Week on October 26, 2013 in Beijing. (China Fashion Week) It was standing room only at the Simon Gao show on Saturday night, as China’s young fashion designer of the moment showcased his spring and summer line for 2014 for Mercedes-Benz China Fashion…
Gucci’s Artistic Transformation Puts Key Focus on China
Portraits by Helen Downie at Gucci’s “No Longer / Not Yet” exhibit at the Minsheng Art Museum in Shanghai. (Courtesy Photo) Upon taking the reins earlier this year, Gucci’s new CEO Marco Bizzarri and creative head Alessandro Michele have sought to revitalize the venerable Kering-owned brand worldwide. However, one market in particular has already shown…
Gucci Strives To Adapt To China’s New Niche Tastes
A logo-free Gucci bag in the label’s S/S 2014 ready-to-wear collection. Gucci said on a conference call yesterday that it is upping its logo-free offerings as part of an upscale branding push. (WWD) Global luxury conglomerate Kering reported lower-than-estimated third-quarter growth numbers yesterday due in large part to mega-label Gucci’s China sales slump, showing that…
Why Shanghai’s Glitzy Bund Is Losing Its Luster For Luxury Retailers
Once a top locale for luxury retailers, Shanghai’s Bund has become second-best. (Shutterstock) Despite being known for serving as the home to many global high-end boutiques, the Shanghai Bund’s glamour has been fading quickly as brands are leaving the scene one after another. Although it remains as the city’s most-visited tourist attraction, the district has…
Spring Festival Spotlight | Year Of The Horse Fashion Guide
In preparation for the start of Chinese New Year this Friday, retailers and brands across the world are gearing up for the gifting rush with a massive number of special year of the horse products. As part of our ongoing coverage of luxury Lunar New Year marketing, today we’re featuring some of the top special-edition…
London Fashion Week Chinese Designer Spotlight: Judy Wu
A look from Judy Wu’s Autumn/Winter 2016 collection at London Fashion Week. (Courtesy Photo/Simon Armstrong) In an almost perfect, if not intentional, prelude to International Women’s Day on March 8, there was Judy Wu’s runway show at London Fashion Week. In it, the London-based designer used two inspiring females as her muses for her Autumn/Winter…