• Diamond Showdown in Milan: Georgina Rodríguez and Aryna Sabalenka Compare Their Jaw-Dropping Engagement Rings

  A true diamond showdown unfolded at the Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week, when Georgina Rodríguez and Aryna Sabalenka found themselves side by side and decided to compare their spectacular engagement rings. Both pieces are so extravagant they could easily have been stars of the fashion show themselves...

• Jay-Z Accuser Recants Rape Allegations and Says She Never Met the Rapper

  A woman who accused Jay-Z of raping her in 2000 has withdrawn her allegations and called them false. She had previously claimed that the rapper sexually assaulted her when she was 13 years old...

• Kanye West Steps Out With Bianca Censori: She Goes Braless Again and Turns Heads in a Sheer Top

  Kanye West took his wife, Bianca Censori, on an unusual outing in Los Angeles as the couple attended a private preview at George Lucas’ new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art...

• “Welcome to America”: Trump’s 15-Year-Old Granddaughter Impresses Xi Jinping With Her Fluent Chinese

  Fifteen-year-old Arabella Kushner, the eldest daughter of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, became one of the most talked-about guests during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s official visit to the United States. At a formal ceremony at the White House, the teenager showcased her command of Chinese and personally welcomed the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan...

• From Gucci Sales Assistant to Fashion Star: Georgina Rodríguez Turns Heads in a Daring Mini Suit

  Georgina Rodríguez made a major fashion statement at Milan Fashion Week, attending the Gucci show — exactly ten years after she first met her future husband, Cristiano Ronaldo, at one of the brand’s boutiques...

• “When I Hear Our Song, I Cry”: Michael Schumacher’s Wife Opens Up About Her Pain for the First Time in 12 Years

  Corinna Schumacher, the wife of legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher, has spoken candidly about her life after the tragic accident that happened to her husband nearly 13 years ago...

• “He’s Already a Young Man”: Melania Trump Hints at a Changing Relationship With 20-Year-Old Barron

  Melania Trump has opened up about her relationship with her son, Barron, in an unusually candid interview, appearing to suggest that the 20-year-old no longer wants to spend as much time with her as he once did...

• Johnny Depp and Penélope Cruz Reunite in Dark Thriller Day Drinker

  Lionsgate has released the first official trailer for the upcoming thriller Day Drinker, directed by Marc Webb. The film stars Johnny Depp, Madelyn Cline and Penélope Cruz...

When Bernard Arnault, one of the world’s richest people and chairman of LVMH, visited Shanghai in September, many expected a routine tour of Louis Vuitton, Dior, and other group boutiques in the city’s luxury malls. Instead, Arnault took a surprising turn: he shopped at Chinese brands, Bloomberg reports.

At the new Qiantan Taikoo Li mall, he visited Songmont, a minimalist leather goods brand, purchasing two handbags. He also stopped by Laopu Gold, a local jewelry brand neighboring Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, spending about 30 minutes and calling the pieces “refined” and “interesting.”

This move was symbolic: the head of the company that helped shape modern luxury is now showing interest in brands that could define the future of China’s luxury market.

Chinese Brands on the Rise

China’s economic slowdown has dampened demand for foreign luxury brands, while local labels are gaining traction. Online platforms have fueled their growth: over the past two years, five Chinese brands in handbags, apparel, fragrances, cosmetics, and jewelry have outpaced seven foreign competitors in sales growth.

• Laopu Gold’s online sales jumped over 1,000% in the first three quarters compared to two years ago.

• Songmont handbags grew around 90%, while Gucci’s online sales in China fell by more than 50%, and Michael Kors by 40%.

On Tmall, China’s largest e-commerce platform, some domestic brands now outperform foreign competitors in revenue: in the 12 months through October, Laopu Gold sold $630 million, Van Cleef & Arpels $57 million, and Mao Geping $125 million, more than double Bobbi Brown’s sales.

Storytelling Over Price

Chinese brands focus on brand universe and storytelling, rather than just pricing. Songmont draws on Eastern aesthetics and calligraphy, while perfume brand To Summer uses traditional ingredients like tea, osmanthus, and dried orange peel. ICICLE channels Confucian ideals of harmony and restraint.

This approach is particularly effective online: Songmont launched a podcast about urban women’s lives, emphasizing self-respect and diverse values rather than social status.

Challenges and Outlook

Despite impressive growth, Chinese brands still hold a small market share. Major Western labels account for about 63% of China’s personal luxury market. Economic headwinds could slow expansion, as luxury growth depends on rising incomes and an expanding middle class.

Still, local brands are beginning to attract global buyers, with younger consumers seeking unique products tailored to their cultural context rather than just Western logos.

The Chinese luxury market is evolving: domestic brands are delivering quality, cultural identity, and growing popularity, while foreign labels face slower demand. As consumers become more selective, the future of luxury in China is increasingly homegrown.

Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram