On October 16, publication Jing Daily hosted the inaugural Jing Daily 100 launch celebration at The St. Regis on the Bund in Shanghai, bringing together industry executives, designers, artists, and content creators during Shanghai Fashion Week.
Shanghai Fashion Week Launch Event Opens on the Bund
Jing Daily Editor-in-Chief Enrique Menéndez opened the evening by welcoming guests and congratulating the honorees. Menéndez reflected on the range of creative and business leaders gathered for the event, highlighting the publication's mission to chronicle the evolution of China's luxury industry and culture. Selected jointly by editorial teams in China, Europe, and the United States, the newly launched list honors executives, brand founders, designers, artists, media figures, and cultural leaders.
Following the opening remarks, Khadija Al Bastaki, senior vice president of the Dubai Design District (d3), spoke about creative-industry ties between China and the United Arab Emirates. Al Bastaki outlined d3’s work in developing creative talent and building international partnerships. Operating as part of Dubai’s TECOM Group, d3 serves as a business district for design and fashion companies. In 2023, the district co-founded Dubai Fashion Week alongside the Arab Fashion Council.
Chinese Consumers Prioritize Experiences and Well-Being over Luxury Goods
Jing Daily Chief Operating Officer Stephen Morgan moderated a panel featuring An Tang, general manager of Tmall Luxury, and Rebecca Cai, chief global markets officer of On. The discussion focused on shifting Chinese consumer behavior and where future growth in the nation’s premium and luxury markets will originate.
Panelists addressed how Chinese consumers are reassessing purchasing habits by placing greater weight on experiences, well-being, comfort, cultural identity, and lifestyle. Tang discussed changes in consumer purchasing behavior and brand preferences from Tmall Luxury’s perspective, while Cai spoke about lifestyle shifts. Both executives examined the convergence of online and offline retail and the market forces projected to shape China’s premium sector over the subsequent five years.
International Designers and Cultural Figures in Attendance
The event drew multiple generations of Chinese designers, pointing to a broader industry shift where China functions as both a market for global luxury and a source of internationally competitive creative talent. Attendees included couturier Guo Pei alongside younger designers building global profiles, such as MARKGONG founder Gong Ziming, CHENPENG founder Chen Peng, RUIbuilt founder Zhou Rui, 8ON8 founder Gong Li, and SHUSHU/TONG co-founders Lei Liushu and Jiang Yutong.
Additional designers present were SAMUEL GUÌ YANG founder Samuel Gui Yang and co-creative director Erik Litzén, YVMIN co-founders Zhang Xiaoyu and Li Min, AO YES co-founders Wang Yingchao and Liu Yansong, PRONOUNCE co-founders Li Yushan and Zhou Jun, TysGrocery founder Wang Tianhao, and Wang Fengchen, who designs under the label Feng Chen Wang. Figures compiled by Luxe.co show that RUIbuilt counted as one of eight Chinese-founded brands to present during the spring/summer 2025 presentation lineup in Paris. Lisa of Blackpink wore custom MARKGONG on the 2025 Oscars red carpet.
The gathering also featured prominent media figures, investors, and artists. Among those present were Alex Sun, chief executive officer of Marie Claire China, W China, and Fantastic Man China; Audrey Hu, editor-in-chief of Dazed China; Gao Ming, senior vice president and managing director of luxury for Greater China at Ruder Finn; investor Wendy Yu; Michael Xufu Huang, co-founder of X Museum; artist Oscar Wang; Aurélien Guichard and Marion Guichard, founders of MATIERE PREMIERE; Peter Zhong and Chris Wang, co-founders of NOWRE; Sherry Huang, founder of ENG Concept; Terry Zhu, co-founder of DOE; and Eric Young, founder of Le Monde de SHC. Fashion influencers Fil Xiaobai, Hachi, Mate Li, Molly Chiang, Mia Kong, Ava Foo, and Xiao Yang Bure attended alongside Dr. Qin Huilan, a retired doctor who walked Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2024 show in Paris.
The evening concluded with a live musical performance by Shenzhen-born singer-songwriter and producer Cacien, whose real name is Chen Sixian, a Jing Daily 100 honoree who blends pop, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop. The full Jing Daily 100 list is now live online.
Worth a look