This week’s serving of dynamically diverse Chinese brand collaborations spans sportswear, high fashion, art, and local traditions.
Among the three leading collabs of the week, the partnership between Shanghai Tang and Jacky Tsai captures the essence of China's cultural tapestry, weaving together the former’s iconic motifs with the latter’s visionary artistic touch.
Starting with spike-loving maverick Chet Lo’s first high-street tie-up, here is the verdict on China’s brand collabs-to-know.
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Chet Lo x Charles & Keith#
Details: Six-piece capsule collection, January 23
Social context: There are 134 posts tagged under #charleskeithxchetlo on Instagram, and Charles & Keith's posts have garnered over 12,600 likes in total.
The verdict:
- Sporting Chet Lo’s instantly-recognisable spikes, each design provides an accessible way for fans to interact with the eponymous label. Yet prices are still at the higher end of Charles & Keith’s product lines, with the Spike Textured Long Sleeve Top priced at $489.
- First seen at the British Fashion Awards accessorizing Chet Lo dresses worn by stars Leigh Anne Pinnock and Lisa Rinna, the designs have brought Charles & Keith to the forefront of it-girl fashion.
- The Hong Kong retailer provides Chet Lo with the opportunity to explore a wider inventory offering, and exposure to a mainstream audience that will provide long and short-term financial benefit.
Shanghai Tang x Jacky Tsai#
Details: Ready-to-wear collection and “A Journey of All and None” exhibition at Shenzhen’s Museum of Contemporary Art and Panning
Social context: Shanghai Tang has 184,000 followers on Weibo, and on the platform #Shanghaitangshanghaitang (上海滩shanghaitang) has 3.9 million reads. On Weibo, #Jackytsai has 37,000 reads. On Xiaohongshu, #Jackytsai has 51,400 views, and #Shanghaitangshanghaitang has 872,900 views.
The verdict:
- Celebrating Shanghai Tang's 30th anniversary and the Year of the Dragon, the ready-to-wear collection champions ancient Chinese culture and elegance. It uses silk cashmere yarn with gold and silver silk accents.
- A design brand that often combines traditional Chinese elements with innovative design concepts, Shanghai Tang leads in oriental lifestyle aesthetics, incorporating art as one of its core values, which makes this Jacky Tsai collaboration one to watch.
- Shanghai Tang has an ongoing commitment to blend the East and West, while Jacky Tsai's artistic approach combines traditional Chinese craftsmanship with Western pop culture, creating a similarly unique fusion.
Li-Ning x Yuyuan Lantern Festival#
Details: Year of the Dragon experience, January 21
Social context: Li-Ning has 1.1 million fans on Weibo and 53,500 on Xiaohongshu. On Weibo, #Miaohuixinyuanrijindoujin (妙会新愿日进斗金) detailing the festival has 690 million reads.
The verdict:
- Shanghai’s Yuyuan Lantern Festival, a significant annual cultural event that this year runs from January 21 for 40 days, serves as a platform for presenting Chinese culture and fostering cultural exchanges between the East and the West. It debuted in Paris this year.
- The Chinese New Year collaboration blends traditional New Year customs with contemporary trends, creating a playful theme of "wonderful gatherings, new wishes, and daily advancement to make money."
- Li-Ning enhances the New Year atmosphere at Yu Garden with a range of activities, including themed lights, wishing fields, and custom tea drinks — the event is an invitation for Li-Ning’s fans to immerse themselves in the brand’s identity in a novel way.