Luxury brick-and-mortar businesses need more than well-curated stores and attentive employees to attract consumers in 2024 – this is the era of flagship locations becoming creative hubs, and deploying the work of the world’s most esteemed artists for activations.
This is the strategy Lanvin is taking with its latest Lanvin Lab move, which follows on from a 2023 collaboration with American rapper Future. Austrian artist Erwin Wurm has sculpted his trademark otherworldliness for an art installation featuring a Lanvin bag sat atop long limbs that is touring Lanvin stores in major Chinese cities.
Also in this week’s China brand collaboration roundup, we focus on superstar Jay Chou’s Phantaci brand joining forces with Nike, and Ugg tapping independent Chinese label Shuting Qiu for a second round.
Read on for our verdict on these and subscribe here to receive all Jing Daily collaboration news to your inbox every Tuesday.
Lanvin x Erwin Wurm#
Details: Lanvin Lab project x Erwin Wurm sculpture outside SKP shopping center (Beijing)
Social context: #ErwinWurm has 84,000 reads on Weibo and Lanvin has 540 million, and over 8,000 on Xiaohongshu, where Lanvin has 57,500 followers and 41.7 million reads.
Verdict:
- Lanvin elevates the art of fashion with Wurm's “walking bag” sculpture, a blend of the house’s signature and prestigious artwork, showcasing the brand's creative ethos. It follows on from the Lanvin Lab collection by American rapper Future.
- Wurm's anthropomorphic creation, titled Desire, challenges perceptions of luxury and desire, using Lanvin’s iconic blue to redefine the boundaries of fashion artistry.
- From Beijing to Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Shenzhen, and Shenyang, Wurm's Lanvin masterpiece will journey across China, attracting consumers to the brand’s brick-and-mortar locations and active social media coverage in this crucial market.
Ugg x Shuting Qiu#
Details: Platform Ugg Sandals and printed T-shirt
Social context: Shuting Qiu has 161,000 followers on Weibo, and #shutingqiu has 650,800 reads on Xiaohongshu.
Verdict:
- Ugg and Shuting Qiu dive deep into creativity with their second collaboration, drawing inspiration from the flowers of the sea to craft a collection that celebrates freedom and regeneration.
- Hailing from the prestigious Royal Academy in Antwerp, Qiu's creative prowess shines through as she continues to expand her horizons. She recently partnered with Estée Lauder and curated an exquisite afternoon tea set for The Middle House, a luxury haven in Swire Properties' portfolio.
- This partnership not only showcases the strength and qualities of women, but also underscores a shared commitment to sustainability, utilizing
green materials and advocating for environmental protection, fostering an appreciation for the ocean's beauty and significance.
Phantaci x Nike#
Details: Phantaci x Nike Air Max 1 Grand Piano, release date TBC
Social context: Jay Chou’s (周杰倫) hashtag has 30.29 billion reads on Weibo, while #phantaci has 140 million.
Verdict:
- Nike rebounds with a strategic move, tapping into the star power of Jay Chou to fill the celebrity void left by Edison Chen's departure to Adidas, showcasing the brand's adaptability and agility in the ever-evolving world of fashion.
- Phantaci, the brainchild of Chou and Ric Chiang, emerges as a key player in Nike's comeback narrative, leveraging its status in sneakers and Chinese streetwear, to breathe new life into their collaboration.
- One of the most popular singers in the Chinese-speaking world, Chou has a fanbase that rivals many top-tier celebs. His songs are consistently at the top of the charts as a major household name in China, meaning the first Phantaci x Nike sneaker of 2009 naturally went viral. Success will hinge on consumer nostalgia and sneaker culture.