Asia Fashion Weekly News Bulletin – ISSUE 41 Week of 17 November 2025
(1) Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 Show Takes Macau by Storm
Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 presentation at Sands China’s The Londoner Arena on November 13 was decidedly the latter—a meticulously orchestrated spectacle that transported Hong Kong’s most discerning style set to Macau.
(2) China’s ‘youngest female billionaire’ Zhang Zetian showcases elegance at 32
Zhang Zetian assumed the role of Guest Art Director for VOGUE ART, curating a “Cultural Exchange”-themed issue inspired by 17th-century Chinese classics and deepening the publication’s artistic narrative through her longstanding engagement with the arts.
(3) BAPE steps up retail expansion in Asia
Building upon the award-winning design language first introduced at American Dream, BAPE®’s 2025 store openings demonstrate a sophisticated evolution of the brand’s retail environment.
(4) French Beauty Giant L’Oréal Backs China’s LAN in Skincare Play
L’Oréal Backs Chinese Clean Beauty Brand Lan. The investment was made via L’Oréal’s China fund Shanghai Meicifang Investment and its corporate venture capital arm BOLD.
(1) Louis Vuitton’s Cruise 2026 Show Takes Macau by Storm
(Photo Credit: Louis Vuitton/Tatler)
The Louis Vuitton 2026 cruise show commenced with an orchestrated journey from Hong Kong to Macau, where selected guests were transported via a fleet of private luxury vehicles. This carefully curated prelude set the tone for an evening emphasizing the brand’s ambition as a masterful fashion storyteller, building anticipation long before the models appeared on the runway.
Upon arrival at The Londoner Arena in Macau, VIPs including brand ambassador Victoria Song, actress Carina Lau, and rising stars Louise Wong and Yuxiao Lu gathered for an elegant cocktail reception. The show began with a striking entrance as models descended from the top tier of the arena, echoing the dramatic staging of Louis Vuitton’s earlier presentation at Avignon’s Palais des Papes.
Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière’s collection showcased reimagined everyday staples and standout evening wear, highlighting clothing’s transformative power. As Louis Vuitton’s first show in Macau, the event underscored the city’s importance to the brand—evidenced by the post-show availability of exclusive runway pieces and the outstanding performance of the local LV store, which leads in Asia and is poised to become the brand’s top global performer.
News Source: https://www.tatlerasia.com/style/fashion/louis-vuitton-cruise-show
(2) China’s ‘youngest female billionaire’ Zhang Zetian showcases elegance at 32
(Photo Credit: VOGUE Magazine)
In November 2025, Zhang Zetian (章泽天) embarked on a new journey as Guest Art Director of VOGUE ART, gracing the November issue cover. Steering beyond symbolic titles, she curated the core theme “Cultural Exchange,” inspired by 17th-century Chinese classics annotated by her Nanjing compatriot Shen Fucong in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. This appointment reflects her years of exploring the arts, infusing fashion publications with cultural depth and personal narrative.
Married to Liu Qiangdong, 51, founder and chairman of the e-commerce company JD.com, Zhang holds key positions in the company, including as an advisor for the company’s fashion business, frequently attending international fashion weeks and events organized by fashion brands. According to financial research firm Hurun, Zhang and Liu have combined assets of 58 billion yuan (US$8.1 billion).
Zhang actively shaped the issue’s artistic direction, selecting and recommending artworks while positioning herself as a “learner, enthusiast, and supporter of art.” Her approach blends humility with professional rigor, translating lived experiences into thematic resonance—such as drawing parallels between maternal stretch marks and “life’s radiance” in art. This ethos bridges Eastern and Western expressions, adding warmth to high fashion contexts.
Her directorship caps systematic involvement in global art ecosystems, from patron programs at Tate, V&A, and Frieze to curating exhibitions for underrepresented Chinese artists in London. Personally, she intertwines art with daily life—documenting museum visits with her daughter via a shared camera and fostering intergenerational aesthetic dialogues. From Tsinghua University dance courses to gallery networking, her sustained immersion fuels this authoritative yet heartfelt VOGUE role.
News Source: https://ent.china.com/movie/newszh/11005281/20251114/48991600.html
(3) BAPE steps up retail expansion in Asia
(Photo Credit: Bape Singapore/CPP Luxury)
Following the award-winning success of its American Dream store, Japanese streetwear pioneer BAPE® is expanding its global footprint with four new Asian store openings in 2025. Each location refines the brand’s signature blend of industrial aesthetics and organic warmth, using materials like rich wood, textured concrete, and strategic lighting to create immersive retail environments that bridge street culture and architectural precision.
The Singapore flagship at Mandarin Gallery integrates natural wood finishes and iconic camo patterns, highlighted by a display of Teriyaki Boyz figures in tempered glass. Nanjing’s JLC location introduces BAPE CAFE!？® alongside retail, blending wood paneling and orange camo glass partitions, while Guangzhou’s TaiKoo Hui features an angular stainless-steel façade and daylight-simulating LED systems. Chongqing’s MixC store draws inspiration from local topography, incorporating curved elements and an exclusive fiery-hued camo pattern.
BAPE®’s expansion continues with planned stores in Hong Kong, Seoul, Vancouver, Miami, and Paris, reinforcing its global presence through culturally nuanced designs. This strategic growth balances architectural innovation with local identity, maintaining the design excellence that has solidified BAPE®’s reputation as a leader in experiential retail.
News Source: https://cpp-luxury.com/bape-steps-up-retail-expansion-in-asia/
(4) French Beauty Giant L’Oréal Backs China’s LAN in Skincare Play
(Photo Credit: LAN)
L’Oréal Group has taken a minority stake in Chinese skincare brand LAN, the French cosmetics giant said Friday, marking the first skincare investment by its China-focused venture capital arm, Shanghai Meicifang Investment Co. Ltd.
The deal was backed by L’Oréal’s global strategic venture fund, BOLD. LAN is owned by Hangzhou Lanxi Cosmetics Co. Ltd., founded in 2019, and is best known for its “nourish skin with oil” concept. The brand’s offerings — ranging from facial essence oils to cleansing oils and serums — are priced mostly under 200 yuan ($28). L’Oréal noted that LAN develops all of its products in-house.
L’Oreal did not disclose the size or cost of the stake, but L’Oreal North Asia President and China CEO, Vincent Boinay, said it highlights how central China is to the company’s global strategy. “We firmly believe investing in China is investing in the future, and we will continue to cultivate the Chinese market, work with more Chinese brands to create a beautiful future and meet the expectations of sophisticated Chinese consumers,” he said in a statement.
Prior to the deal, LAN had completed two funding rounds, attracting capital from investors such as Tiantu Capital, Source Code Capital and NX Fund.
News Source: https://www.caixinglobal.com/2025-11-18/french-beauty-giant-loral-backs-chinas-lan-in-skincare-play-102383965.html
