Retail: Rise of Chinese fashion and beauty brands

When thinking of the first market outside China for his massive network of upscale clothing stores, Mr Jin Chenhao knew the answer was clear: Singapore.

- Amanda Chai Style Correspondent

C-beauty brands Judydoll (above) at Bugis+ and Joocyce (left) at Wisma Atria. PHOTOS: JOY GROUP

(JOY GROUP)

The city-state has several things going for it, says the chief executive of Guangzhou-based fashion conglomerate EPO Fashion Group, which owns leading Chinese fashion brands Edition and Mo&Co.

Mr Jin, 37, was in town in November for the grand opening of Edition’s and Mo&Co’s first Singapore stores at Raffles City.

Edition’s prices range from $315 for a pair of pants to $800 for a trench coat, while prices at Mo&Co, which has a second store at Jewel Changi Airport, range from $185 for denim to $685 for a trench coat.

Speaking in Mandarin, Mr Jin says that choosing Singapore was driven by a desire for a more stable pace of international development.

“We're not in a rush to achieve rapid broad expansion, like some brands that suddenly enter the US, Europe, Japan or South Korea. We prefer a gradual approach to achieving global presence.”