October 2023

SHANGHAI — Local designers need to stay positive and look for brand spanking new opportunities amid China‘s economic slowdown. The spring 2024 edition of Shanghai Fashion Week wrapped Monday, with greater than 100 brands showcasing their latest collections to local buyers. The final consensus amongst buyers WWD spoke to is that they're scaling back budgets and tightening brand lists this season as Chinese fashion consumers have been spending less. That said, a decade after the Chinese designer fashion boom — and having survived the COVID-19 pandemic — local brands are prepared to embrace a tougher market environment with greater shows, stronger brand narratives, more diverse price and product ranges, and more collaborations to succeed in latest audiences. Comme Moi, a fashion label founded by...