In China, the desire to be perceived as marriageable and successful has long driven men to adhere to a rigid (and largely unrealistic) model of masculinity – but societal shifts have sparked changes in attitudes. What does the ’modern man’ look like and what does he value in life?
Panos Dimitropoulos is the cultural practice lead for Asia and developing markets at Kantar Consulting. Currently based in Shanghai, he has successfully led brand strategy and expression, communications localisation, content optimisation, and innovation projects for major brands including Disney, Audi, L'Oréal, Lindt, IHG, Haier, Coca-Cola, and Diageo.
Babette is a fashion academic, journalist, and consultant who specialises in the Chinese fashion and beauty industries. She is an award-winning journalist who has worked at some of the most influential fashion and style publications in Asia and Europe, including Vogue China, Prestige, and Design Anthology. She was the editor of S Style Magazine, published by Macau's Sands Casino, and wrote fashion and beauty columns at China Daily. Babette speaks, reads, and writes Mandarin Chinese. In 2023, she obtained her PhD specialising in Chinese fashion media, and is the only person in the world to have a PhD in Vogue China.
Felicia Schwartz is the founder of China Insight and a cultural insight specialist with 15 years of experience in the Greater China region. She has worked widely across consumer goods as well as retail, luxury, and technology. An advertising veteran, Felicia is passionate about people and what motivates them, hence her career in strategic planning and consumer insights. She has researched Chinese women, children, young adults, and men for clients like L'Oreal, Ferrero, Nestle, and Maserati and delivered cultural business skills to the DIT, EDF Energy, and Jaguar Land Rover.
