"Take Chinese Creativity Seriously – Or Lose Out" (The Financial Times)

“The Europeans looked at emerging America and found it slightly vulgar. They did not like the way art mixed with business. I suspect many feel the same about China. They say Chinese creativity is an oxymoron. They believe the country lacks the West’s bravura and risk-taking. They dismiss it as a nation of copiers. But walk the streets, or check the output figures, and you see Chinese creativity on the march. Once reliant on low-cost manufacturing, China is now catching attention for its art, design, digital media and fashion.”

"Shirt Tales from TAL, an Apparel Powerhouse" (The Financial Times)

"Barely known outside Hong Kong, [TAL] is now one of the world's biggest apparel manufacturers, making 56m garments a year. In one factory in Dongguan, a shirt from each client hangs on a wall for training purposes. From Eddie Bauer and Banana Republic to Gieves & Hawkes and Burberry, it reads like a Who's Who of high-street fashion. Brooks Brothers is such a big buyer that TAL can claim to make one in every six dress shirts sold in the US."

"Vipshop Bearish Bets Climb as Competition Grows" (Bloomberg)

“Vipshop, which sells discounted brand-name fashion goods following a model similar to Gilt Groupe Inc.’s Gilt.com in the U.S., has posted annual revenue growth of at least 170 percent since 2010. Analysts surveyed by Bloomberg estimate the pace will slow to 68 percent next year. E-Commerce China Dangdang Inc., China’s biggest online book retailer, started holding discount sales of fashion clothing in May.”

"Maje Captures Asia's Diversity by Going to Extremes" (South China Morning Post)

“The brand has been popular in Asia for some time, [Judith Milgrom] says, despite only setting up stores here a few years ago. And while Maje's French customers may still favour a more effortless style, Milgrom says her Hong Kong clients are often more fashion conscious and particular about specific pieces … Well-edited extremes seem to be a theme at Maje. And with women's styles diversifying fast in Asia, they appear to be hitting a rather powerful note.”