Maison Mode’s mall in Chengdu. (King Shore) Three little words, “Made in Paris” are chiming with Chengdu’s language of luxury as French savoir faire hits a high note with local tastes. Located in the southwest province of Sichuan and described by Forbes magazine in 2010 as “the world’s fastest-growing city in the next decade,” Chengdu…
Interview: Street Style Sunglasses Star Spektre Sets Sights On China
Stylist and street style photographer favorite Viviana Volpicella wears Spektre sunglasses. The HUB, Hong Kong’s first fashion trade show aimed at connecting niche, premium international brands to Asian buyers, took place from August 27-28, 2014 in the heart of Hong Kong’s Garment District. The non-traditional fashion trade event has created opportunities for buyers, store owners,…
Maison Corthay Brings French Bespoke Style to China’s Moneyed Dandies
Maison Corthay’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of its first mainland China store, which is located in Beijing’s Shin Kong Place. (Jing Daily) As small, independent fashion brands increasingly catch the eye of China’s wealthy shoppers, ultra-niche bespoke French shoemaker Maison Corthay is moving in on the mainland market. On March 10, the store’s first…
Swiss Watch Exports Slump 16.5 Percent As Anti-Graft Drive Endures
George Clooney attends a gala hosted by Omega in Shanghai on May 16, 2014. (Omega) After hopes earlier this year that China’s Swiss watch sales slump was on an uptick after hitting rock bottom, new data released today by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry shows that the luxury wristwear industry is going to…
Will Kate Spade’s ‘Chinese Takeout’ Bag Win Fans In China?
Great for holding cellphones or rice. As New York Fashion Week kicks into high gear, one collection that has been getting a fair amount of attention on Chinese social media is that of Kate Spade, which features many Asia-influenced items—including one handbag resembling a Chinese food takeout container. Inspired by Kate Spade Creative Director Deborah…
Vega Wang Builds Brand with Help of China Fashion Week Alternative Fashion Now
Models backstage at the Vega Zaishi Wang AW16 show at Fashion Now in Beijing. (Courtesy Photo) Chinese fashionistas are making room in their wardrobes for high-end designers based close to home, fueling the progress of local talents like Beijing-based Vega Zaishi Wang in the domestic market. The womenswear designer, who just debuted her 11th season,…
Furla Stays Focused on China Expansion While Luxury Scales Back
A Furla campaign installation inside Shanghai CITIC Square mall. (Courtesy Photo) If there’s one clear example of “accessible luxury” making strides in China’s retail industry, it’s Furla. The Italian fashion house has been in the midst of a rapid evolution, going from being known globally as a playful, youthful handbag brand to capturing China’s growing…
‘A Brand Designed for Leaders’: Taoray Wang Explains Why Tiffany Trump Supports Her Work
First daughter Tiffany Trump continued to show support for one of her favorite brands, Taoray Wang, on Saturday as the Chinese designer debuted her Fall/Winter 2017 collection at New York Fashion Week. While her father, President Donald Trump, draws criticism for his policies on global trade and immigration, Tiffany took front row seats with her…
Interview: What’s Next For China’s Luxury Watch Market
A watch enthusiast eyes a timepiece at the 2013 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève exhibition in Beijing. The exhibit will return this year from October 8 to 10. (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève) As the Chinese government’s anti-corruption crackdown shows no signs of relenting, Swiss watch exports to China have taken a major hit since…
Condé Nast Launches Online Trade Mag ‘Vogue Business’
Condé Nast, the fashion publishing powerhouse behind consumer-facing magazines like Vogue, GQ and Vanity Fair, has officially stepped into the trade-publication sphere. The move flags an unusual, bottom-line focused direction for the company amid a tough environment. The 21st century has seen the veteran publisher downsize markedly and traditional fashion magazines lose relevance and influence,…