Cultural Evolution
Earlier this week Adam had an interesting post with updates and discussion about the GAP's strategy for their recent entrance into the Chinese market. As a child of the 90s and an admitted Gap-addict, I welcome this entrance to the market, but we haven't been there yet. It is, like all things bright and shiny and high-end commercial, really far from us.
Adam raises some interesting questions about the wisdom of marketing a limited edition, high-end blue jean in China called the 1969. Certainly, that is a label in use in GAP stores elsewhere in the world, but 1969 conjures up images in much of the Western world of GAP's San Francisco roots in hippie culture. In China, on the other hand.....you understand the main thrust of Adam's argument.
It won't be long before it becomes clear whether the 1969 jeans have a market, or that date is too serious to wear above one's rump here. In the meantime, enjoy this picture I took in a shop down in Beijing. I've seen this Monchhichi a few other places around Beijing (one near the National Art Museum), and even some Chinese rip-offs of this same doll in the same outfit. It had a Japanese language label dangling from its arm, but that doesn't prove if it is an authentic Monchhichi or a clever fake. But something about its clothes don't say to me, "Monchhichi, Monchhichi. Oh so soft and cuddly.
Adam raises some interesting questions about the wisdom of marketing a limited edition, high-end blue jean in China called the 1969. Certainly, that is a label in use in GAP stores elsewhere in the world, but 1969 conjures up images in much of the Western world of GAP's San Francisco roots in hippie culture. In China, on the other hand.....you understand the main thrust of Adam's argument.
It won't be long before it becomes clear whether the 1969 jeans have a market, or that date is too serious to wear above one's rump here. In the meantime, enjoy this picture I took in a shop down in Beijing. I've seen this Monchhichi a few other places around Beijing (one near the National Art Museum), and even some Chinese rip-offs of this same doll in the same outfit. It had a Japanese language label dangling from its arm, but that doesn't prove if it is an authentic Monchhichi or a clever fake. But something about its clothes don't say to me, "Monchhichi, Monchhichi. Oh so soft and cuddly.
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