I was very interested to read online yesterday and today about Giorgio Armani's global discussion and social media plans, following over 10 years of Armani retail success in China.
The idea to use Twitter as a means to contact the world on subject matter: "China as a new fashion super power" is a brilliant one, as it not only ensures that Armani receives suitable recognition for its years of fashionable Eastern success (Armani opened his first boutique in Beijing in 1998) but it raises China's fashion profile once again as a market and fashion leader.
Twitter has called the discussion the "ArmaniTweetTalks"; the conversation will launch on June 1st for the world to read, enjoy and contribute to. Alongside a selection of industry professionals, topics will include Chinese and Western models and the suggested partnership between the two fashion cultures.
This evening (May 31st) sees Giorgio Armani himself make a whistle-stop visit to Beijing and the New Tank in the city's 798 Art District, to display a selection of his recent designs from the autumn winter and spring summer 2012 collections; the show will also feature 15 Giorgio Armani Privé couture looks, as testament to China and its support over the last 14 years. Following his work with students from the Tsinghua University, Armani was recently quoted saying the presentation was a celebration of the educational collaboration and of the connection between Eastern and Western fashions.
There has been much online recently about fashion designers taking their stores, collections and custom to China; despite recent news reports that the Chinese economy is experiencing a shaky patch (along with many other countries across the world), Shanghai and Beijing in particular are still proving desirable for the fashion industry and those designing within it.\
By associating Armani's name, industry influence and style appeal with a social media discussion on China's social and economical future, the talks are bound to drive increased interest and profit to the insightful subject in hand.