Every few years, Chinese consumers hear about yet another brand that claims to be China’s Hermès. What makes a brand luxury, and will China ever have its own luxury house?
Great article, but in my dismissive take on "luxury", I think it misses an important point. China has a multitude of craft schools turning out absolutely amazing works of "art" in the form of jewelry/clothing/handbags/whatever that are easily the equal of any over hyped commercialized craft/art. This isn't to take away from Laopu Gold, but it's a much bigger world that Laopu Gold, and to anoint one brand as the pinnacle is missing the forest for a tree. Liu Shanlin in Shiyan, Hubei teaches at the Craft School (I forget the full name) and he is turning out a generation of brilliant crafts artists creating the next wave of "luxury" goods.
Point being, less "luxury" and more appreciation for all those China artists working right now. Find them, pay them money for their work, and the tradition lives. Get too involved with "luxury", and the traditions die. Keep it alive!
Great point! I believe that China's artisanship—which was largely damaged during the Cultural Revolution but inspired many Western luxury brands—should be in its own luxury category.
The rise of Laopu, with its traditional gold-casting techniques 古法黄金, also proves that the market has an appetite for it, and Chinese consumers are reconnecting to their roots. In this light, Western luxury brands inspired by Chinese artisanship may appear to be appropriative.
Chinese artistry and craftsmanship is in another advanced dimension compared to the quite frankly ordinary stuff from the usual luxury brands. I bought a $10 knockoff Hermes scarf in Bangkok, took it into the Hermes store in Chicago, and they couldn't tell the difference. Same with the handbags; it's actually just ordinary stuff.
People like brands and recognizable forms and definitely logos. Developing ecognition of those forms and logos will make it happen.
Ignoring comparisons with western luxury brands like Hermes would be a good step towards becoming a global luxury brand I think
Great article, but in my dismissive take on "luxury", I think it misses an important point. China has a multitude of craft schools turning out absolutely amazing works of "art" in the form of jewelry/clothing/handbags/whatever that are easily the equal of any over hyped commercialized craft/art. This isn't to take away from Laopu Gold, but it's a much bigger world that Laopu Gold, and to anoint one brand as the pinnacle is missing the forest for a tree. Liu Shanlin in Shiyan, Hubei teaches at the Craft School (I forget the full name) and he is turning out a generation of brilliant crafts artists creating the next wave of "luxury" goods.
Point being, less "luxury" and more appreciation for all those China artists working right now. Find them, pay them money for their work, and the tradition lives. Get too involved with "luxury", and the traditions die. Keep it alive!
Great point! I believe that China's artisanship—which was largely damaged during the Cultural Revolution but inspired many Western luxury brands—should be in its own luxury category.
The rise of Laopu, with its traditional gold-casting techniques 古法黄金, also proves that the market has an appetite for it, and Chinese consumers are reconnecting to their roots. In this light, Western luxury brands inspired by Chinese artisanship may appear to be appropriative.
Chinese artistry and craftsmanship is in another advanced dimension compared to the quite frankly ordinary stuff from the usual luxury brands. I bought a $10 knockoff Hermes scarf in Bangkok, took it into the Hermes store in Chicago, and they couldn't tell the difference. Same with the handbags; it's actually just ordinary stuff.
People like brands and recognizable forms and definitely logos. Developing ecognition of those forms and logos will make it happen.