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    Jing Daily’s China Luxury Brief: August 19, 2013

    Zhang Ziyi in the spotlight, Sotheby's blue diamond for sale in Hong Kong, and luxury home prices in Shanghai are among today's top stories.
    The Grandmaster star Zhang Ziyi. (Women's Wear Daily)

    Welcome to Jing Daily‘s China Luxury Brief: the day’s top news on the business of luxury and culture in China, all in one place. Check out today’s stories below:#

    The Grandmaster star Zhang Ziyi. (Women's Wear Daily)

    BUSINESS AND FINANCE —#

    The price gap between luxury homes in Hong Kong and Shanghai is narrowing.#

    "Recently, mainland property agents tipped Overseas Chinese Town (Asia) will offer a penthouse at its super-deluxe project Suhewan, at Suzhou Creek, at an indicative price of 250,000 yuan (HK$314,000) per square metre." (SCMP)

    CULTURE —#

    Zhang Ziyi talks The Grandmaster and working with Wong Kar-wai.#

    The martial arts star says training for the film was a "nightmare." (China Real Time)

    Zhang also tells#

    Women's#

    Wear Daily#

    that Beijing's pollution made her ill.#

    “Everyone has a car, and no one cares about the air.” (WWD)

    FASHION —#

    E-commerce has growing value for Western companies in China.#

    "With revenues in excess of $210 billion last year and a steadily growing customer base of more than 500 million, the e-commerce industry in China is fast catching the fancy of big names such as Louis Vuitton, Adidas AG, Samsung Group and The Walt Disney Co." (China Daily)

    Swarovski tests its fine jewelry concept in China.#

    “We want to find out whether Swarovski as a brand is able to credibly carry a fine jewelry line. The first indications of our test in China are that this is the case.” (WWD)

    Victoria Beckham brings her sunglasses line to China.#

    "China Vogue's editorial director Angelica Cheung says Beckham's products are both functional and chic, especially for female office workers." (China Daily)

    LIFESTYLE —#

    Sotheby's to auction rare blue diamond in Hong Kong.#

    "The auction house announced Monday that the stone, “The Premier Blue,” will be sold on Oct. 7 as part of Sotheby’s regular twice-yearly auction series." (NYT)

    Shangri-La Hotel will be host hotel for Abu Dhabi's Chinese Visitor Summit.#

    "Seventy-five of China's leading travel buyers with annual budgets of over $5m will meet with hoteliers, travel providers and retailers." (AME Info)

    Raffles Hainan set for September opening.#

    This will be the resort chain's second location in China. (Breaking Travel News)

    The ultimate luxury fragrance isn't from a Western brand, argues People's Daily.#

    "The ultimate luxury fragrance — one far costly than gold — is agarwood or chen xiang (沉香), an ancient Oriental fragrance." (People's Daily)

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