As nationalistic pride soars in China, along with more disposable income, aspiration, and a need for novelty, people are hyper-tuned into traditional romantic festivals like 520 Day and the shopping that comes with it. International luxury brands want in, but can they compete with domestic ones?
Based in Shanghai, Thomas Piachaud is the head of strategy at Re-Hub. He helps luxury brands navigate China’s digital ecosystem through data-based solutions and demonstrates a deep understanding of the crossroads between China, the luxury industry, and the internal operations of luxury brands across digital, marketing, and general business functions.
Relocated from Shanghai to London, Vanessa is in charge of China marketing for the British luxury hand-painted wallpaper brand de Gournay. Prior to that, she headed Gusto Luxe’s London presence to support UK and European clients with strategic counsel. Her expertise includes research and intelligence, strategy development, digital, e-commerce, and social campaigns across China and Asia.
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.
Avani Thakkar is a fashion and culture writer with words in Vogue, Elle, Dazed, i-D, gal-dem, Nylon, W Magazine, Observer, the Zoe Report, and other publications. With a background in marketing, she enjoys spotlighting Indian craft and upcoming designers, keeping up with Gen Zers and getting into the nitty-gritty of how clothing shapes culture.
