Fashion Systems and Symbolic Production from Historical Chinese Culture: Creating and Managing Global Chinese Brands

Abstract

Global market trends move toward increasing global cultural convergence and, at the same time, a need for local cultural differentiation. To address these contradictory forces, the research investigates processes and practices of marketers and consumers in three related cases: Jay Chou (a well-known Chinese music artist); the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony; and Shanghai Tang (a global fashion brand). The studies reveal strategic processes and mechanisms involved in the creation of a series of texts and codes from Chinese cultural resources. The theoretical and practical significance of studying historical culture, fashion systems and integrating current branding theories in a more holistic manner contributes a new approach to apparent contradictions that clearly must be dealt with simultaneously.

Keywords: Brands, Branding, Consumer Culture, Fashion, Fashion Systems, China, Olympics

JEL Classification: M30, M31, M37, Z10