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Why Fashion’s Boardrooms Don’t Reflect China’s Importance

Challenges in the executive pipeline mean most companies don’t have a Chinese board member to help them navigate the complexities of the market even though China accounts for a third of global luxury revenues.

China accounts for a third of global luxury revenues but most companies don’t have a Chinese board member to help them navigate the complexities of the market. — Wei Zhang (L) and Alan Lau (R) were recently appointed to the boards of Ralph Lauren Corp and Coach parent Tapestry respectively. (Courtesy)

By

Tiffany Ap

02 May 2023

BoF PROFESSIONAL

When Coach’s parent Tapestry named Alan Lau to its board of directors last month, the company cited the Tencent alumnus’ deep knowledge of the China market as an “invaluable asset.” A few months earlier Ralph Lauren Corp chief executive Patrice Louvet appointed Wei Zhang, former president of Alibaba Pictures, to its board, praising Zhang’s “knowledge in international operations — in particular Asia.”

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About the author

Tiffany Ap is Senior Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and covers marketing and the critical China market.

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China:Economy

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China

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