As Chinese companies innovate across a multitude of industries, Western brands scramble to leverage their remaining advantages, from cultural storytelling to legacy.

Tranexamic acid goes from bleeding medication to beauty superstar promising gentle brightening and dark spot fading. But can it dethrone niacinamide?

While diplomats clash over rare earth minerals and tech sanctions, forward-thinking luxury houses are quietly building resilience through deeper China market investment.

April’s 2.3% YoY sales decline points to deep challenges, such as anemic tourism growth and rising rents, prompting luxury brands to flee or pivot from flagships to pop-ups.

Estée Lauder and L’Oréal launch longevity-focused innovations, cementing biotech-fueled skin health as beauty’s next frontier and moving beyond anti-aging to pro-vitality.

Pilates is gaining traction in China and redefining wellness as a status symbol and fashion statement.

Leading brands like Porsche and Evian are reframing sustainability not as a compliance burden but as a core driver of future growth.

Italian fashion house secures new financing as luxury market slows, betting beauty expansion will keep the brand independent amid industry consolidation wave.

The ‘Craft Is Our Language’ Intrecciato campaign carves out a moment of introspection amid a noisy industry, reinforcing the power of Bottega Veneta’s artistic values.

The French luxury giant debuts on China’s premier lifestyle platform, abandoning its traditional digital caution for social commerce opportunities.

In a market environment dominated by short-term gains, Burberry is taking a long-term view — returning to its roots and redefining its future through the lens of ‘timeless British luxury.’

Amid a luxury slowdown, Balenciaga goes against the grains, again. At its biggest store worldwide, it honors the women behind its legacy, commits to its haute couture codes, and betting big on China with cultural fluency.

The former Loewe designer will oversee womenswear, menswear, and haute couture as Dior faces declining sales and market challenges.

Tea culture is steaming hot again, with fashion brands like Michael Kors and Adidas rolling out immersive teahouse pop-ups in China.

Seoul’s Thug Club and London’s Corteiz are leading new-era hypebeast culture, each built on the influence of celebrity founders and community-driven marketing.

Kim Kardashian-owned shapewear brand launches the Ultimate Pierced Nipple Bra. Xiaohongshu users in China are reacting, even as the brand stays silent.