Asia Fashion Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 38 Week of 27 October 2025
(1) Vogue Singapore marks five years with grand ‘Next in Vogue’ celebration at Sentosa
Vogue Singapore’s 5th anniversary event unites 2,000+ for fashion talks, couture, and innovation. Gala showcases Asian designers, raises funds, and affirms Singapore’s growing influence in global style.
(2) CITI leads textile delegation to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 Singapore
CITI leads Indian delegation to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025; Kansal inaugurates pavilion, eyes $350B sector by 2030. Focus on sustainability, ESG via workshops and forums.
(3) Luxury brands turn on the charm in China to kindle nascent spending recovery
Chinese luxury spending rebounds modestly; brands like LVMH, Hermès prioritize VIP experiences at malls like Nanjing Deji (24.5B yuan sales) and The Louis store. Market share focus amid flat 2025 growth.
(4) Nam Gi-ung dominates CELINE show as only East Asian male model in 2026 S/S season
Nam Gi-ung, 188cm Korean model, dominates CELINE’s 2026 S/S show as sole East Asian male repeat. From Prada debut to trendsetter, his walk captivates, boosting Korean fashion’s global rise.
(1) Vogue Singapore marks five years with grand ‘Next in Vogue’ celebration at Sentosa
(Photo Credit: The Vibes)
Vogue Singapore celebrated its fifth anniversary with a three-day extravaganza at Resorts World Sentosa from October 16–18, 2025, hosting the Next in Vogue 2025 conference and Fifth Anniversary Gala. Over 2,000 guests attended the “Year of the Reset” themed event at WEAVE Event Hall, featuring 16 panels with 41 speakers like Prabal Gurung, Robert Wun, and Sabyasachi Mukherjee, alongside Kering, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton representatives.
Highlights included The Vogue Closet’s “Asia Reimagined” couture exhibition, innovation showcases with BioFluff’s plant-based fur and Arxy Future Lab’s VR showroom, and masterclasses in the Vogue Glam Room. The gala, themed “Rituals and Radiance,” drew 320 VIPs, featured performances by Tabitha Nauser and Yung Raja, and a runway of emerging Southeast Asian designers, raising funds for the Vogue Singapore Foundation.
The event strategically elevates Southeast Asia’s fashion narrative by blending global icons with regional talent, fostering mentorship and innovation. By prioritizing sustainability and digital experiences, Vogue Singapore positions itself as a catalyst for Asia’s creative economy, though reliance on luxury sponsors risks diluting grassroots focus amid the region’s diverse market dynamics.
News Source: https://www.thevibes.com/articles/lifestyles/114644/vogue-singapore-marks-five-years-with-grand-next-in-vogue-celebration-at-sentosa
(2) CITI leads textile delegation to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 Singapore
(Photo Credit: CITI)
The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) is spearheading a delegation of textile entrepreneurs and leaders to ITMA ASIA + CITME 2025 in Singapore (October 28–31), Asia’s premier textile machinery and sustainability expo. On October 28, Union Ministry of Textiles Additional Secretary Rohit Kansal inaugurated the ‘Indian Pavilion,’ emphasizing India’s ambition for a $350 billion textile and apparel sector by 2030, including $100 billion in exports. The FY 2024–25 industry size stands at ~$180 billion domestically, with $38 billion in exports.
The visit facilitates interactions with global innovators to foster collaborations, investments, and modernization of India’s textile value chain, with CITI arranging association meetings. Kansal will address the ITMA Sustainability Forum on October 30 on “Accelerating Green Transition.” CITI’s sustainability efforts include ‘Cluster Connect’ workshops with Fair Wear Foundation for EU CSDDD compliance and the ITSB initiative with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) to align with ESG norms.
This delegation underscores India’s strategic pivot toward sustainable, tech-driven textiles amid global supply chain shifts, leveraging ITMA’s platform to bridge domestic growth with international partnerships. While ambitious targets signal optimism, challenges like EU regulations demand accelerated ESG adoption; CITI’s proactive initiatives position India competitively against regional rivals, potentially boosting exports if collaborations yield scalable innovations.
News Source: https://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/announcement/citi-leads-textile-delegation-to-itma-asia-citme-2025-singapore-306101-newsdetails.htm
(3) Luxury brands turn on the charm in China to kindle nascent spending recovery
(Photo Credit: Reuters/Go Nakamura)
As Chinese consumers cautiously re-engage with luxury spending amid economic uncertainty, brands like LVMH and Hermès are pivoting from growth to market share by targeting resilient high-net-worth individuals with personalized experiences. These include intimate dinners with creative directors, large-scale shows, and VIP stores featuring private areas and exclusive access. Recent earnings optimism has boosted European luxury stocks by nearly $80 billion, though executives like Prada’s Andrea Guerra caution against expecting pre-pandemic surges, noting China’s luxury sales share has stabilized at around 22% from a peak of 33%. This shift emphasizes deepening engagement over expansion, as highlighted by Savills’ James Macdonald.
Nanjing Deji Plaza, China’s top mall in 2024 with 24.5 billion yuan ($3.4 billion) in sales, exemplifies this strategy, housing Hermès, Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton while gaining fame for viral mirror bathrooms. Louis Vuitton launched its La Beauté beauty line there in August 2025, debuting a $160 lipstick. The brand’s ship-shaped flagship, “The Louis,” opened in June 2025 at Shanghai’s Taikoo Hui, blending retail, exhibitions, and a café; it outperforms other stores, with 60% revenue from new clients. CBRE’s Zino Helmlinger noted competitors are studying it as a model for immersive experiences to drive consumption.
This experiential focus addresses China’s flat 2025 luxury market, per Bain & Company, with 18-20% domestic spending decline in 2024 due to low confidence and overseas rebound. By prioritizing VIP loyalty over volume, brands mitigate risks from U.S. trade policies and economic volatility, fostering long-term resilience. However, Prada’s outlook signals a “new normal” plateau, urging innovation like The Louis to avoid obsolescence amid competition for affluent shoppers’ discretionary spend.
News Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/luxury-brands-turn-charm-china-kindle-nascent-spending-recovery-2025-10-27/
(4) Nam Gi-ung dominates CELINE show as only East Asian male model in 2026 S/S season
(Photo Credit: Celine)
Korean model Nam Gi-ung, signed with Ghost Agency, has rapidly risen as a global fashion standout, debuting exclusively for Prada and captivating audiences with appearances for Dior, CELINE, Craig Green, and emerging designer Xie Ji Chen. At 188cm with exceptional proportions and a commanding walk, he dominated CELINE’s 2026 Spring/Summer runway in Paris, marking the only consecutive East Asian male model feat for the brand this season.
Nam’s CELINE show, following his 2026 Spring appearance, highlighted his innate charisma, drawing praise from creative director Michael Rider for enhancing the garments’ appeal. His poised presence on the catwalk not only mesmerized attendees but also elevated Korean models’ international stature, transitioning him from promising rookie to trendsetter in the industry.
Nam Gi-ung’s ascent reflects a shift toward diverse, East Asian representation in luxury fashion, where brands like CELINE under Rider prioritize unique physicality and poise to refresh narratives. As K-fashion gains traction globally, his Prada-to-CELINE trajectory signals Korean models’ breakthrough potential, fostering broader inclusivity amid the competitive S/S 2026 circuit.
News Source: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-entertainment/2025/10/22/3UXTPYMYEVF7LEOOJRJ7OXYF4U/?outputType=amp
