Week In Review: November 12-16, 2012

In case you missed them the first time around, here are some of Jing Daily’s top posts for the week of November 12-16: 10 Minutes With...Paola Sinisterra Of HK Label Tangram Brimming with infectious energy, Colombia-born, Hong Kong-based Paola Sinisterra has become one of the city’s designers to watch since launching womenswear and accessories label Tangram last year with her husband Ignacio. Offering fresh, vividly colored and unique designs, Tangram has quickly established itself as one of Hong Kong’s brightest new fashion brands, finding fans locally, regionally and globally. Galeries Lafayette Details 2013 Beijing "Reboot," China Expansion 15 years after the Parisian luxury shopping mainstay Galeries Lafayette opened a Beijing outpost on Wangfujing, and nearly 14 years after the location shuttered due to disappointing sales, more details are emerging about its return to the Chinese capital and plans for nationwide expansion. First announced in 2010, and further elaborated upon last summer, the new Galeries Lafayette Beijing is slated to open on September 1, 2013 in Beijing’s Xidan district, a partnership with the Hong Kong fashion retail powerhouse I.T. Q&A: La Perla CEO Tim Brasher On Selling Luxury Lingerie To China Expanding rapidly since entering the mainland China market in 2007, Italy’s La Perla has looked to capitalize on rising demand for high-end intimate wear among the growing Chinese middle class. Now with standalone locations in four cities — Shanghai, Hangzhou, Shenyang, and Beijing – La Perla plans to open at least 30 new locations in first- and second-tier cities nationwide. Despite their increasing presence in China, leading international lingerie brands like La Perla have found that introducing high-priced luxury intimates to the country’s consumers is no small task, owing to cultural norms and macro-level consumer trends. Unlike highly visible items such as handbags, footwear or outerwear, more “invisible” luxury goods like lingerie and perfume are still relatively new to logo-loving Chinese consumers looking for public recognition. Paul Smith's China "Re-Launch" Unveiled In Tianjin Kicking off its second crack at the China market, following a well-publicized withdrawal five years ago, leading British label Paul Smith recently unveiled its first new location in Tianjin. Having — in some analysts’ eyes — jumped the gun by entering China before consumers had warmed to more low-key labels, Paul Smith is optimistic that the emerging brand-savvy Chinese shopper will mean its prospects in 2013 are far better than they were in 2006. Zeng Fanzhi: Mastering The Art Of Luxury With his work still in high demand among Asian and Western collectors, and a high-profile solo exhibition set to launch at the Gagosian Gallery in London, leading Chinese contemporary artist Zeng Fanzhi is at the top of his game. Remaining popular — and indeed gaining popularity — as a blue-chip artist in the wake of the global financial crisis, Zeng’s paintings continue to reliably sell in the millions of dollars even as Chinese buyers become more discriminating at auction both at home and abroad.

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Week In Review: November 12-16, 2012