The China Luxury Briefing is a weekly newsletter from The Luxury Conversation. You’ll receive a weekly bulletin of latest China luxury news across different sectors. Below you’ll find a monthly roundup including updates from each of the weekly briefings during the month. To ensure you’re receiving all of the latest China luxury updates, make sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter here.
FASHION
OTB Group launches four new flagships
Shanghai JC Plaza is home to four OTB Group brands’ new flagship stores. Maison Margiela’s largest flagship store in the world also features a pop-up exhibition, a Maison Margiela Café, and a dedicated Replica fragrance zone. Marni opens its first China concept flagship, Jil Sander opens its first flagship store in China together with a new project Jil Sander Flora, while the Amiri flagship is the brand’s first store in the Asia-Pacific.
Karry Wang becomes Piaget’s brand spokesperson
Piaget announced Karry Wang (王俊凯) as its brand spokesperson. Wang is a popular singer and actor with over 81 million Weibo followers.
Luxury brands collaborate with artists to celebrate upcoming Qixi festival
The Qixi Festival, or Chinese Valentine’s Day, will take place on 4 August. This year, some brands have gone beyond the typical celebrity endorsements and exclusive product launches. Burberry has collaborated with Chinese artists Toby and Taozi on an animation “Cross the Octagonal Star of Love (跨越爱的八芒星)”, while Valentino has co-created a music video “Shall We be Together” with singer Ronghao Li (李荣浩).
Miu Miu Workout launches in Shanghai
Miu Miu launched its Workout capsule collection at the Shanghai Supermodelfit gym in July. The collection includes a variety of exercise-related accessories, such as yoga mats and blocks, boxing gloves, and water bottles.
BEAUTY
Clé de Peau Beauté broadens partnership with Xukun Cai
Clé de Peau Beauté announced Xukun Cai (蔡徐坤) as its make-up spokesperson in mid-July. Cai is a singer with over 36 million followers on Weibo. In April 2021, he became the brand’s China skincare spokesperson.
Loewe x Leo Wu Cucumber-scented candle launches
Loewe has launched a cucumber-scented candle in collaboration with artisan perfumer Nuria Cruelles and the brand’s global brand ambassador Leo Wu (吴磊).
Will Liu becomes Biotherm Homme image ambassador
Biotherm Homme announced Will Liu (刘畊宏) as its image ambassador. Liu, a singer and actor, recently regained fame overnight thanks to his workout livestream on Douyin. He has more than 73 million Douyin followers.
https://weibo.com/1745068231/LDUeKn9Rm
HOSPITALITY
The Ritz-Carlton Beijing x De Beers launch a co-branded Qixi afternoon tea
The Ritz-Carlton, Beijing has collaborated with De Beers on a butterfly-themed afternoon tea. The afternoon tea celebrates the Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day).
Marriott Bonvoy x Honor of Kings room service
Marriott Bonvoy launched a limited time room service with Honor of Kings, a popular Tencent Games mobile game. Until the end of January 2023, members can access various customisation options as part of the partnership.
MGM Shanghai West Bund
Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality is collaborating with Shanghai West Bund Development on the first MGM city hotel in mainland China. As a district, Shanghai West Bund aims to become Asia’s largest art district.
RETAIL
Valentino accelerates physical expansion
Valentino accelerates its offline expansion, with two new openings in one month. Valentino opened its first Wuhan store in WS mall on June 30 and first Shenzhen store in MixC on July 20. Janice Lam(林讯甄) , the new CEO of Greater China of Valentino said Valentino would expand and enhance its influence in Greater China with a focus on retail.
Shushu/Tong opens its first global offline store in Shanghai
Chinese designer brand Shushu/Tong opens its first flagship store in Shanghai JC Plaza. Shushu/Tong is a domestic designer brand that features “bold and feminine” style. It’s worth mentioning that Shushu/Tong has launched many co-branding collections with international brands, such as Charles & Keith, Estee Lauder, Asics and Malone Souliers.
The second Nike Style to land in Shanghai
Nike will open its second-in-the-world Nike Style concept store in Shanghai in the latter half of 2022. The store aims to expand the definition of sports and integrate offline and online experience for customers.
ECOMMERCE
Fendi enters JD.com
Fendi announced the opening of its JD.com official flagship boutique in mid-July. As of July 2022, JD.com is collaboration with nine of the major LVMH brands.
CORPORATE
China to offer more financial aid to culture, tourism firms
The second China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) opened on July 25 on the resort island of Hainan, presenting a unique platform for global consumer products companies to access the Chinese market. The six-day expo has attracted 1,107 overseas companies and 1,643 brands from 61 countries and regions, as well as over 1,200 domestic brands. Despite the complex, grave situation abroad and COVID-19 resurgence at home, the Chinese economy has increasingly regained its footing, showing resilience and potential amid headwinds.
The second China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) opened on July 25
The second China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) opened on 25 July on the resort island of Hainan. The six-day expo has attracted 1,107 overseas companies and 1,643 brands from 61 countries and regions, as well as over 1,200 domestic brands. The CICPE aims to serve as a platform for global consumer products companies to access the Chinese market.
About Luxury Conversation:
The Luxury Conversation is a platform curated by Gusto Collective for luxury professionals to connect, share and discuss Asia’s luxury industry and its rapidly evolving affluent consumers.
We curate and highlight topical issues that are impacting the industry and weighing on the minds of our community. From consumer attitudes and trends, to the factors influencing and shaping the market, The Luxury Conversation unpacks the questions of the moment – from China’s luxury consumers and Asia’s economic growth, to the rise of NFTs and the new technologies disrupting the marketplace.
The Luxury Conversation features articles on trends and interviews with industry leaders, publishes newsletters and reports from Gusto Collective’s consulting division, presents industry reports at luxury summits and conferences, and hosts its flagship China briefings and networking events. For more information, please visit www.luxuryconversation.com
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