October | 2009 |

Last thursday morning, it was Beijing-Paris. I really like Chinese culture and I’m a big fan of French luxury that keeps rare jobs alive. So the event I couldn’t missed – I missed (it happens) – was at at 10 a.m. in Paris (5 p.m. in Beijing ), at the amdassy of China, for the launch of cColbert : “An unusual virtual experience for the Chinese Net surfers. An interactive 3D journey in French luxury”, with His Excellency, the Chinese Ambassador in France, Mr. Kong Quan, and Mr Wang Yan, Founding Chairman of Sina (the Chinese biggest Web portal) and Mrs Du Hong, Chief executive officer of Sina and Mrs Françoise Montenay, Chairman of the Comité Colbert and the Chairmen of members houses of the Comité Colbert.

Great, but what is the Comité Colbert? What does it do? Founded in 1954 at the initiative of Jean-Jacques Guerlain, the Comité Colbert, is a French association representing 70 houses of luxury whose object is to collectively promote their shared values in France and internationally: “Their quest is to combine tradition and modernity, craftsmanship and creativity, history and innovation“. Today French luxury in China is present in 69 towns with more than 1600 sales outlets (apart from wines and spirits) and focuses : ”The Chinese young that enjoy new beautiful things and the diversity of the French luxury“. Between 2009 and 2010, 45 new boutiques will be open in 15 towns. If you speak French, I recommend you this interesting post in Fashionmag.com, about 20-30 years old billionaires in Beijing. Luxury might need a lifting?

cColbert, online till March 31, 2010: www.ccolbert.cn in China and www.ccolbert.fr

Paris / Beijing: Starck

Yves Saint Laurent: my tribute

City guides Beijing & Paris: Destinations