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
Ralph Lauren x The Red Cross Society of China launch “Pink Pony” campaign
Ralph Lauren is collaborating with the Shanghai branch of the Red Cross Society of China on the 2022 “Pink Pony” campaign. The brand donated RMB 1 million to the organisation to help fight cancer. Ralph Lauren is also launching a “Pink Pony” collection with 25% of sales to be donated to projects, such as cancer screening.
The second “ART’N DIOR” exhibition to be held in Shanghai
After successful events in Shenzhen and Shanghai in 2021, Dior is to hold its second “ART’N DIOR” exhibition at Art West Bund in Shanghai in early November. The exhibition will include part of the “ Lady Dior as Seen By” exhibition and also present works from Chinese artists, such as Mian Yang (杨冕) and Ruyi Zhang (张如怡) among others.
Gap Greater China is acquired by Baozun
Baozun, the Chinese e-commerce services and solutions provider, will acquire Gap Greater China in an all-cash transaction of USD 40 million. As per the agreement, Baozun will be able to manufacture, market, distribute and sell Gap products in Greater China with the right to design Chinese products.
BEAUTY
Clé de Peau Beauté’s “Mirror of Radiance” exhibition held in Shanghai
Clé de Peau Beauté (CPB) held “Mirror of Light” (光耀之镜) exhibition at the Fosun Foundation Shanghai in early November. The brand collaborated with artists Chris Wood, Elie Top and Ying Huang (黄莺) to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary.
Lancôme’s “One Moment Eternity Art of Absolue” exhibition kicks off in Shanghai
Lancôme launched its “One Moment Eternity Art of Absolue” exhibition (一瞬一生·兰蔻菁纯艺术展) at the CSSC Pavilion in Shanghai. Ten groups of artists were invited to create bodies of work based on five pillars: rose, golden light, pioneer, ingenuity, and sustainability, presenting in the themes of “Inspiration”, “Art” and “Senses”. The opening on 7 November was star-studded.
Shiseido releases China growth plan
Shiseido China released a new growth plan at its 150th anniversary “Beauty Blooms In all” reception. The plan includes “Beauty of Consumers” to promote the sustainable development of its business, “Beauty of Earth” to facilitate green development by promoting fillers, and “Beauty of Society” to help cancer patients by launching the “Lavender Ring” public welfare project.
HOSPITALITY
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants enters China
Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the luxury hotel brand of the InterContinental Hotels Group, debuted in Suzhou on 26 October. The design of Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou is based on the architectural style of Suzhou Gardens, combining the city’s iconic elements with more contemporary touches.
Hotel brands offer innovative multi-hotel booking sets during Double 11 shopping festival
Various luxury hotel groups, including InterContinental Hotels Group and The Kuok Group, took part in the travel booking platform Fliggy’s Double 11 Shopping Festival promotion. The groups offered a new “Versatile Multi-Hotel Booking Set”, offering consumers the right to redeem rooms at several of the brand’s hotels, in order to appeal to more consumer groups.
RETAIL
Hang Lung Properties x LVMH sustainable development collaboration
Hang Lung Properties and the LVMH Group announced a sustainable development partnership in late October. The partnership redefines the relationship between high-end mall landlords and leading retail brands and aims to improve sustainable development in both property and retail.
JEWELRY & WATCH
Jackson Yee becomes Jaeger-LeCoultre’s global ambassador
Jaeger-LeCoultre announced Jackson Yee (易烊千玺) as its global brand ambassador. Yee is a famous Chinese actor and singer with over 89 million Weibo followers.
IWC opens its largest boutique in the world in Shanghai
IWC Schaffhausen opened its new boutique at HKRI Taikoo Hui in Shanghai in November. The boutique is the brand’s third, and the largest in the world. IWC’s partner, Airspeeder, the first flying car racing series, showcases electric flying cars in the boutique. The “Big Pilot Bar” allows consumers to enjoy meals and relax.
Patek Philippe launches 10th anniversary exhibition in Shanghai
Patek Philippe launched the “2012-2022 Maison Patek Philippe Shanghai 10th anniversary” at Maison Patek Philippe Shanghai in early November. The exhibition showcased the changes and development of both the Bund areas of Shanghai and the brand. The brand also presented its limited edition Ref. 5230P-010 World Time watch to celebrate the milestone anniversary.
CORPORATE
Nearly 97% foreign firms say 20th CPC National Congress boosts confidence, Shanghai remains attractive to foreign investors
The vast majority of surveyed foreign businesses operating in the Chinese market commended China’s development over the past decade and expressed stronger confidence in the Chinese market. Major global investment institutions expressed confidence in China thanks to the nation’s stable social environment, huge economic potential, broad market space, and other advantages, upon the conclusion of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), a new survey showed on October 27. Shanghai’s downtown area remains a magnet for foreign investments despite the resurgence of COVID-19 cases and a complex international environment.
China eases COVID restrictions
China eased some of its COVID restrictions in early November, including shortening of quarantine times for close contacts and for inbound travelers as well as scrapping the penalty on airlines that bring infected passengers into the country. The Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) will guide local commerce authorities to improve their support and facilitation for foreign businesses to secure trade and economic growth amid the latest adjustments to anti-coronavirus measures.
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