Fashion
Society
‘Hanger war’ and more: Chinese merchants fight over logistics turf in Prato, Italy
In the city of Prato in Tuscany, Italy, incidents of crime involving the Chinese mafia are on the rise, not least in the the textile industry where feuds such as a “hanger war” among Chinese manufacturers have taken place. While the key fight is in the logistics arena, the overall atmosphere of tension has local officials on the alert. Italian academic Alessandro Albana surveys the situation.
Alessandro Albana
05 Dec 2025
Society
Why China’s fashion boom is still searching for its heart
Runways are thriving, investors are watching — but many in China’s fashion world say what’s missing is something money can’t buy: authenticity, patience and soul. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Li Kang speaks to industry players to find out more.
Li Kang
12 Nov 2025
Society
[Video] Why is vintage clothing still a no-go for many Chinese?
While thrift fashion has gained popularity worldwide, it still struggles to find a foothold in China, primarily due to cultural beliefs, hygiene concerns and trust issues. However, pre-loved items such as gadgets and homeware have found wider acceptance, contributing to the gradual expansion of China’s second-hand market.
Yi Jina
11 Oct 2024
Culture
Why young Chinese women are loving the horse-face skirt
The popularity of the horse-face skirt reflects the broader trend toward the normalisation of traditional Chinese aesthetics in contemporary China, says NUS academic Courtney Fu. Will it be a fleeting trend similar to the “China chic” streetwear brands or evolve into a lasting fashion identity representative of China on the global stage?
Courtney Fu Rong
24 May 2024
Society
[Video] Silver strands, bold stands: China’s age-defying grannies
Clad in dopamine-boosting colours and stylish outfits, China’s “fashion grannies” are turning heads with their youthful sartorial choices, embodying the statement that “age is just a number and style knows no bounds”. Beyond their trendy appearances lies a deeper narrative of resilience, individuality and inspiration. Here’s a glimpse into the lives and philosophies of three remarkable women who are redefining ageing with their style and grace.
Yi Jina
26 Apr 2024
Culture
[Video] Redefining daily wear: China's hanfu and neo-Chinese fashion
With over 4,000 years of history, hanfu declined during the Qing dynasty amid Manchu rule and the rising influence of Western fashion trends. While hanfu regained some popularity among youths in the 2000s, it wasn't until the mid-2010s, with increased visibility on social media, in period dramas and through cultural heritage promotion programmes, that it truly thrived.
Yi Jina
28 Mar 2024
Economy
Louboutin's famous red-soled heels tread winding path to trademark protection in China
In 2012, Christian Louboutin shoes made their debut in the Chinese market, two years after an application to have their distinctive appearance protected under the Trademark Law sparked a legal tussle that would unfold over the ensuing decade and continues today.
Caixin Global
23 Feb 2024
Economy
US legal battle exposes Temu and Shein's questionable business practices
Chinese e-commerce giants Temu and Shein are currently locked in a heated battle for the US market and Chinese supply chain. As both sides are digging in their heels and accusing the other side of unsavoury business practices, who will emerge victorious?
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
10 Aug 2023
Society
Why Chinese women's clothing are getting smaller
Are women in China getting more conscious about their body image? Or is the clothing industry part of the problem as it makes smaller-sized clothes that could even fit children? Lianhe Zaobao's China Desk looks into the trend in clothes manufacturing and its impact on Chinese women's body image.
China Desk, Lianhe Zaobao
07 Jun 2023
Culture
The crux of gender inequality is that men have always objectified women
Rather than addressing the symptoms of gender inequality such as restrictions on career prospects and freedom, says Cheng Pei-kai, we need to look at the deeper issue of the objectification of women. Chinese history and literature texts are replete with examples of this tendency. Mindful reading of the classics and an awareness that women are still objectified in modern life will go some way in changing mindsets. Whether in art or life, women are complex like anyone else and their characters and emotions need to be fleshed out before they can be truly seen for who they are.
Cheng Pei-kai
10 Dec 2021
Culture
A dialogue with Andrew Gn and Ji Wenbo: Fashion is an attitude to life
What is fashion to Singaporean fashion designer Andrew Gn and Chinese fashion designer Ji Wenbo? How do they stay true to themselves in an ever-changing fashion world? Though each designer has different styles, each is adept at stitching together a fabric of different influences. As their creations are sashayed down the catwalks of Paris and Milan, we see glimmers of East and West, the traditional and modern, the classic and the avant-garde - all in one place. Chinese Media Group correspondent Ng Yimin speaks to fashion designers Gn and Ji as part of a series of fireside chats put together to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and China.
Ng Yimin
30 Oct 2020