Success by design
Shanghai hosts China premiere of Ralph Lauren documentary and shows how vision and dedication are always in fashion, Xing Wen reports.
Established in 1967, the designer brand, with products ranging from apparel, home goods and perfumes to dining, has been gaining popularity in China in recent years.
Per the company's second quarter fiscal results, sales in China grew at double-digit rates. The performance exceeded expectations.
"We see the brand gaining real interest from consumers," remarks David Lauren, indicating plans to expand further in China by opening more stores, enlarging its Chinese teams and hosting fashion shows.
By the end of 2024, the brand is set to achieve a milestone of 200 stores on the Chinese mainland.
Ralph Lauren draws inspiration from China, infusing collections with Chinese patterns, fabrics and colors. By opening stores in China and integrating more Chinese employees, the company is improving its capacity to design products that resonate with the culture, notes David Lauren.
In various TV and film productions such as The Great Gatsby (1974) and the acclaimed series Succession, elite characters don Ralph Lauren attire while many Chinese consumers have become acquainted with the brand through the globally popular sitcom Friends.
In recent years, as fashion trends like "old money style" and "intellectual style" gain traction in China, the brand, long associated with these aesthetics, has seen a surge in popularity.
However, David Lauren highlights the brand's focus on "new luxury", emphasizing sustainability and longevity in its designs, aiming to create enduring pieces rather than fleeting trends.
Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn
