Lana Oconnell
Chinese international students have become influential in the fashion industry, with many following trends set by luxury brands. This has led to a unique demographic that has caught the attention of retailers and brands, who are now targeting these students through sponsored events and fashion shows. There is a perception that some Chinese international students wear fake designer clothing as a way to showcase their status, whether they are wealthy or not. However, it is important to note that not all Chinese international students follow this trend, and many are careful about their purchases, opting for smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chinese international students as brand champions | Chinese students abroad have become unofficial opinion leaders for their friends and peers back home |
| Many Chinese students have become more careful about what they buy, opting for smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality | |
| Chinese students in New York and Boston escort friends and family on shopping trips and buy luxury goods to take back to China | |
| Retailers and brands have taken notice of this unique demographic, sponsoring Lunar New Year celebrations and hosting special fashion shows | |
| Stereotypes about Chinese international students' fashion sense | Some people believe that Chinese international students lack fashion sense and try to show off their status by wearing expensive designer items or fake versions of these items |
| The perception of Chinese international students' fashion may be influenced by cultural differences and the evolution of class indicators in different societies |
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What You'll Learn
- Chinese international students are unofficial opinion leaders for their peers in China
- Chinese students abroad seek smaller, independent designer brands
- Some Chinese students in the West buy luxury goods to take back to China
- Chinese students in the UK dress in streetwear or Korean-inspired fashion
- The wealthy in the West differentiate themselves by being flashy with new money or subtle with old money
Chinese international students are unofficial opinion leaders for their peers in China
Chinese international students have become unofficial opinion leaders for their peers in China, particularly when it comes to fashion and political beliefs.
Fashion
Chinese students studying abroad have first-hand access to the latest trends from luxury brands and have become trendsetters for their friends and peers back home. For example, fashion blogger Scarlett Hao, a New York University student with a strong following among Chinese students in the United States, began sharing fashion content because she noticed a lack of representation for plus-size Asian fashion bloggers. Many Chinese students have become more careful about what they buy, often seeking out smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality.
Purchasing Behaviour
A survey by China Luxury Advisors found that 31% of Chinese students in New York and Boston escort friends and family on shopping trips at least once every three months, and 34% bought luxury goods to take back to China with a similar frequency. This has caught the attention of retailers and brands, who have started targeting this unique demographic through sponsored events and fashion shows.
Political Beliefs
Chinese international students' exposure to different cultures and belief systems can shape their political beliefs and opinions. For example, Chinese students studying in the US may become more critical of the information they receive and less certain about rejecting liberal values and beliefs. This was evident in the reaction to a Harvard Chinese student's graduate speech, which drew praise and ire from Chinese social media users. While some were moved to tears by her vision of a "shared humanity", others criticised her elite background and alleged links to the Chinese Communist Party.
Cultural Exchange
People-to-people communication and cultural exchange between Chinese international students and their peers from other countries can influence the belief systems of the next generation's social and political elites. However, decreasing confidence in American values has led US leaders to view these cultural exchanges as national security issues.
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Chinese students abroad seek smaller, independent designer brands
Chinese students studying abroad have become more careful about their fashion choices and are increasingly seeking smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality. This shift in preferences has been observed by Charlie Gu, director of China Luxury Advisors, who notes that Chinese students are moving away from solely purchasing luxury goods.
Chinese students abroad have become influential in shaping fashion trends, particularly among their peers and friends back in China. This unique demographic has caught the attention of retailers and brands, who are keen to engage with this audience. For example, luxury department stores like Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman have sponsored Lunar New Year celebrations for local Chinese students and hosted exclusive fashion shows.
One notable trend among Chinese students abroad is their interest in supporting young Chinese designers who are breaking into the international market. These designers are adopting new routes to market, such as focusing on direct-to-consumer channels or building a strong domestic foundation before expanding globally. By doing so, they are creating distinct brand identities and tapping into consumers' desires to wear homegrown labels.
An example of an up-and-coming Chinese brand is Fax Copy Express, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 lockdowns when Shanghai Fashion Week was disrupted. The brand offers tailored and neutral 90s-influenced womenswear at a contemporary price point, appealing to consumers who value both style and affordability.
Additionally, Chinese students abroad are leveraging their influence on social media platforms to share fashion content and inspire their followers. Scarlett Hao, a fashion blogger and New York University student, has gained a significant following among Chinese students in the United States. Hao's content showcases her individual style and highlights independent designer brands, further contributing to the evolving fashion landscape shaped by Chinese students overseas.
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Some Chinese students in the West buy luxury goods to take back to China
Chinese students in the West have become influential in the luxury goods market. They have first-hand access to the latest trends from a wide variety of luxury brands, and many buy luxury goods to take back to China. A survey by China Luxury Advisors found that 34% of Chinese students in New York and Boston bought luxury goods to take back to China at least once every three months. This unique demographic has caught the attention of many retailers and brands.
Some Chinese students have become unofficial opinion leaders for their friends and peers back home. For example, fashion blogger Scarlett Hao, a New York University student with a strong following among Chinese students in the United States, began sharing fashion content after noticing a lack of representation for plus-size Asian women in the fashion industry.
However, it is important to note that not all Chinese students in the West exclusively wear luxury brands or prioritize expensive designer items. Some may prioritize other aspects such as comfort, functionality, or personal style. Additionally, there may be a mix of authentic and replica items within this group, as suggested by a Reddit user who observed that some Chinese students in Scotland seemed to be wearing counterfeit items.
The perception and consumption of luxury goods are influenced by cultural and societal factors. In Western cultures, luxury items have been associated with status and social validation, contributing to their perceived value. However, Chinese consumers are increasingly turning away from mainstream luxury brands, with a decline in the global luxury goods market attributed partly to shifts in China. This shift may be due to growing concerns about the authenticity and value of luxury goods, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on China's economy and youth unemployment rates.
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Chinese students in the UK dress in streetwear or Korean-inspired fashion
Chinese students in the UK have been observed to dress in streetwear or Korean-inspired fashion. Some have pointed out that there is a large increase in the number of Chinese students studying abroad in Scotland, and their fashion sense is noticeable. Some Chinese students in the UK have been observed to dress in streetwear, with guys wearing off-white and girls wearing caps, hoodies, denim coats, black skinny jeans, and Adidas-type shoes. This has been described as a streetwear style that doesn't always look good, possibly due to a lack of fashion sense or an attempt to show off wealth. Others have suggested that the fashion choices of Chinese students in the UK reflect a mentality of showcasing their status, whether through genuine designer items or fake luxury goods.
On the other hand, some Chinese students in the UK have adopted a more Korean-inspired fashion sense, which may be influenced by the popularity of K-pop and Korean fashion trends. This could be a way for their parents to express their love and care through expensive clothing. Additionally, Chinese students abroad have become unofficial opinion leaders for their peers back in China, influencing fashion trends and purchasing decisions.
It's worth noting that not all Chinese students in the UK adhere to these specific fashion styles, and individual preferences and tastes may vary. Some observers have commented on the stylish dress sense of East Asian students on campus, particularly the girls, and have wondered if there are cultural differences in fashion lines or trends between the UK and East Asian countries.
While some Chinese students in the UK may prioritize expensive clothing or designer brands, others may seek out smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality. This could be a reflection of a shift in consumption patterns, where Chinese students are becoming more careful about their purchases and moving away from solely focusing on expensive items.
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The wealthy in the West differentiate themselves by being flashy with new money or subtle with old money
There is a perception that Chinese international students wear fake luxury clothing to show off their status. However, it is also noted that many Chinese students have become more careful about what they buy, seeking out smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality. This unique demographic has caught the attention of many retailers and brands, who recognize their potential as unofficial opinion leaders for their peers back in China.
In the West, the wealthy often differentiate themselves by either being flashy with new money or subtle with old money. Those with new money may display their wealth through expensive and flashy purchases, such as driving a Ferrari or wearing prominent designer branding. On the other hand, those with old money tend to look down upon such displays of wealth and prefer more subtle indicators of class, such as specific accents, membership in exclusive clubs, or attending prestigious universities. This dynamic is also influenced by cultural and historical factors; for example, the absence of similar class indicators for "old money" in China is attributed to the relatively recent economic growth of the country.
The wealthy in the West also differentiate themselves in various other ways. They may invest in fine art, vineyards, rare watches, or even space exploration startups, diversifying beyond traditional stocks. They value exclusivity and privacy, residing in gated communities or private islands, and prioritizing digital privacy. Social connections become a form of currency, as deals and collaborations emerge from personal relationships. Additionally, the ultra-rich may have access to elite healthcare, personal chefs, nutrient-dense meals, and wellness retreats, optimizing their health and longevity. Their daily lives are carefully orchestrated, with leisure and tasks delegated to others, allowing them to focus on decision-making and pursuing their interests.
Psychological studies have explored the differences between the wealthy and the general population. The super-rich are often found to be nonconformists, comfortable swimming against the prevailing current and making decisions based on gut feeling or intuition. They possess a unique mindset, taking responsibility for setbacks and believing that they can change and control their lives. This differentiates them from the general population, who tend to assign blame to external factors. The wealthy are also perceived differently by the public, often viewed as more intelligent, hardworking, greedy, or less honest, which influences political and social perceptions.
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Frequently asked questions
There is some speculation that they do. One source suggests that some Chinese students in the UK wear fake Off-White clothing. However, another source indicates that Chinese students abroad have first-hand access to luxury brands and have become unofficial opinion leaders for their peers back in China.
One theory is that they want to show off their status and wealth, whether real or not.
Yes, they do. Chinese students have caught the attention of many retailers and brands, and some have sponsored Lunar New Year celebrations for local Chinese students.
Chinese students often look for smaller, independent designer brands that showcase their personality and individuality.
Yes. Chinese international students have become unofficial opinion leaders for their friends and peers in China, and many follow fashion bloggers like Scarlett Hao, who is a New York University student with a strong following among Chinese students in the United States.
