Fashion
How Chinese brands are moving from cheap knock-offs to global luxury contenders
From tacky to tasteful: Long gone are the days when “Made in China” was synonymous with cheap tat and shoddy knock-offs. Now, Chinese retail brands are on the verge of global credibility.
Latest in Monocle Radio
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Bruno Pavlovsky on Chanel’s enduring success recipe: ‘It’s brand first’
Elegantly straddling the worlds of luxury and popular culture, Chanel's influence continues to grow stronger. Monocle speaks to its president of fashion about its renewed focus on heritage, craft and timeless style.
The French guide to summer style
Summer’s coming. We meet the Parisians preparing to greet it – and looking good as they do so.
My life as a vending machine
Currently serving 250,000 drinks a day, Tao Bin has become a staple in Thai malls, hospitals and offices since the brand launched in 2021. The machines boast freshly ground coffee, fizzy lemonades, protein shakes and…
The pieces putting a spring in our step this season
Feeling the heat? It’s on its way, so prepare for the sun with lighter fabrics, looser silhouettes and – yes – even shorts.
A bustling Japanese market that offers a luxury shopping experience
From just-netted fish to farm-fresh meat and vegetables, the Japanese capital’s Azabudai Hills Market is a showcase for the country’s quality produce.
How Catalan creatives are drawing on Spain’s design history to create new collections
Barcelona has a proud history as a hub of textile manufacturing and design. Today this endlessly inventive city is home to a new generation of independent producers and makers still flying the flag.
Athens’ creative renaissance: Makers, designers and shopkeepers to know
Athenians are used to dressing for the heat. No wonder sunny start-ups proliferate. Time to stock up?
Fashion creatives who are breaking new ground
From a trailblazing Japanese label’s hi-tech textiles to a Danish coffee roastery’s foray into fashion, we look at the designers and brands taking delight in challenging expectations.
Scandinavian minimalism with an inviting generosity
We meet the duo behind Toteme’s signature shops.
Interview: Nuria Cruelles, Loewe perfumer
Over the past decade, Loewe has transformed from a dormant Spanish heritage brand into one of the world’s most relevant luxury houses. This is largely thanks to its creative director, Jonathan Anderson, and the…
