THE FASH PACK

Stella McCartney Weighs In On The Ralph Lauren Olympic Uniform Backlash

Naomi Mdudu — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 20:27:39 BST

No sooner had everyone applauded Ralph Lauren for his U.S. Olympic team uniforms, a backlash against him begun after ABC News uncovered that the label manufactured all of the uniforms in China. Senator Harry Reid went as far as to say that people should 'put them in a big pile and burn them,' but the big question is whether the criticism is warranted.

While the move wasn't necessary the best one, as the Times notes, this isn't something new. Ralph Lauren moved most of their manufacturing to China back in 2008 and most fashion brands have followed suit but not much has been said about that. Why is it then that the only we're only sensitive about the 'China' issue when it comes to the Olympics and the patriotism surrounding it?

As Stella McCartney explained this morning to myself and a group of journalists, 'China has the monopoly on lower-priced range products full stop, so you can have that conversation with any high street brand,' and it's true.

What do you think?

Quote Me: Mulberry's Emma Hill On Avoiding Going To China

Naomi Mdudu — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 20:00:00 BST

“

While everyone else is running to China, we are trying to run away from China because if you say you are an English luxury brand you have to do something about it.

”She told Telegraph Fashion

Vogue Fashion Fund May Move To China

Naomi Mdudu — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 10:00:00 GMT

If Anna Wintour has anything to do with it, Vogue's Fashion Fund will branch into China. Since it's creation, the initiative now runs in Italy, the UK and France as well as the US.

In her editor's letter in the January issue of Vogue, Wintour commended the expansion of the scheme and finished saying, "We hope China is next." We can't say that the move is surprise - Wintour recently went on a trip there.

The last year or so has seen the Chinese luxury market continue to defy the ongoing economic slump and we've seen Asian models sign several lucrative contracts particualrly Liu Wen, who became the first Chinese model to become a spokesperson for Estée Lauder.