Market Updates
Spring Festival travel rush expected to surpass pre-pandemic levels, reach new highs
During this year’s Chunyun or Spring Festival travel rush, the scale of mobility in China is expected to significantly surpass pre-pandemic levels, with railway and civil aviation passenger volumes poised to reach record highs, officials said at a televised conference.
Digital
K11 Musea x Peter Yee unveil phygital design exhibition
Hong Kong’s buzzy retail destination K11 Musea has announced its latest conceptual venture: a phygital exhibition in partnership with artist and designer Peter Yee. Each piece arrives with its own 3D digital twin and is paired with an NFC chip authenticated on blockchain. It will also power immersive AR and VR experiences accessed via the Apple Vision Pro.
Tmall Luxury Pavilion launches “Paris Jewelry Box” for an enchanting virtual journey
Tmall Luxury Pavilion launched the “Paris Jewelry Box,” an online AR event featuring virtual scenes inspired by the Place Vendôme and renowned luxury jewelry brands like Boucheron, Bulgari, and Cartier. Users can try on jewelry using AR, enjoy exclusive brand wallpapers, and interact with an AR Christmas tree. Virtual stores and intelligent shopping assistants are also available to guide users through the 3D jewelry plaza and showcase brand stories.
Fashion
Gusto x d’zzit: AI-Powered 2024 Spring Fashion Revolution
Gusto partnered with d’zzit for its Spring 2024 Collection, producing a suite of creative materials. By employing AI tech, Gusto curated AI backgrounds that helped d’zzit envision the clothing and models in innovative ways, surpassing physical limitations. This collaboration showcased Gusto’s expertise in the fashion industry and its proficiency in Web 3.0 aesthetics. The innovative approach effectively and sustainably transformed backgrounds, environments, and color palettes to meet the brand’s evolving needs, conveying its design concept and captivating consumers’ imaginations through visual effects.
Tommy Hilfiger x CLOT launch a capsule collection for the Year of the Dragon
CLOT partnered with Tommy Hilfiger to release a capsule collection, celebrating the Year of the Dragon. The collelction draws from Tommy Hilfiger’s archives, reimagining them with the edge of Asian youth culture.
Balenciaga releases “Paris is Home” ad campaign
Balenciaga has released the “Paris is Home” ad campaign, showcasing a series of outfits and accessories from its New Year collection. The creative inspiration stems from the homophonic translation of Balenciaga’s Chinese name, “巴黎世家” (which means “Balenciaga”) to “巴黎是家” (which means “Paris is Home”).
Loewe launches its Lunar New Year 2024 Jade Collection
To celebrate the Chinese New Year, Loewe launched a limited-edition jade collection, including bags, charms, and jewelry. Among them are three jade pendants created in collaboration with three master jade carvers. This collection aims to celebrate the exquisite craftsmanship and texture colors of Chinese jade carving.
Bottega Veneta Launches Lunar New Year Capsule with brand ambassador Shu Qi
Bottega Veneta is welcoming 2024 by launching its Lunar New Year campaign featuring award-winning actress and brand ambassador Shu Qi (舒淇).
Watches & Jewellery
TAG Heuer announces Liu Haoran as brand spokesperson
TAG Heuer recently announced Liu Haoran (刘昊然) as a brand spokesperson. Liu is a well-known actor who boasts 31.8 million followers on Weibo.
Qeelin announces Lay Zhang as its global brand ambassador
Qeelin announced Chinese singer and actor Lay Zhang (张艺兴) as its new global brand ambassador.
Travel
Winter tourism booms across nation
A recent report by the China Tourism Academy predicts that the winter season from late 2023 to early 2024 will see traveler numbers exceed 400 million for the first time, bringing in tourism-related revenue of 550 billion yuan. The report by the tourism academy said that individual tours have grown to be the major choice for winter travelers in recent years.
Hainan opens the world’s first high-end makeup specialty mall
On December 28th, CDF Sanya International Duty-Free mall Block C opened as the world’s first standalone complex specializing in high-end makeup products. It also features Hainan’s first integrated SPA center. The mall showcases 132 brands, including exclusive outlets like Cartier’s first perfume boutique in the Asia-Pacific region and La Prairie’s largest global travel retail store.
Beauty
Estée Lauder announces Xin Zhilei as the spokesperson for its cosmetics line
On January 28, Estée Lauder announced Xin Zhilei (辛芷蕾) as the spokesperson for its cosmetics line. Xin is a popular actress with 13 million followers on Weibo.
Hospitality
Marriott International signs strategic agreement with Delonix Group
Marriott International and Delonix Group have jointly announced the signing of a cooperation agreement. In the coming years, it is expected that over 100 full-service hotels owned by the Delonix Group will join Marriott International’s “Tribute Portfolio” through a co-branded collaboration.
New Openings and Launches
Chanel‘s “Gabrielle Chanel: Fashion Manifesto” exhibition is set to take place at the Power Station of Art in Shanghai
Louis Vuitton opens a new boutique store at Nanjing IFC
Tiffany Tmall official flagship store opens
Damiani opens two boutique stores in Shanghai and Sanya
Delvaux opens its first flagship store in mainland China in Beijing
Lululemon opens its first independent men’s clothing store in the Asia-Pacific region in Beijing
Descente opens a physical store for kids in Nanjing
Arc’Teryx opens the “Arc’Teryx Museum” in Shanghai
Descente opens Shanghai Urban Concept Store
Stuart Weitzman opens a new experiential space on Anfu Road, Shanghai
UGG first flagship store in China opens at Shanghai Xintiandi
Aesop opens its first store in Chengdu at Taikoo Li
Lancôme unveils new art show “The Art of Absolue” in Shanghai
