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The 2024 Beijing Xidan Fashion Festival opened on Aug. 30, celebrating the 130th anniversary of French department store chain Galeries Lafayette with a grand fashion show, while also marking 60 years

A model poses at a fashion show at the opening of the 2024 Beijing Xidan Fashion Festival held outside the Galeries Lafayette building in Xidan, Xicheng district, Beijing, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn]

The dazzling fashion show, held outside the Galeries Lafayette building, was divided into four segments to showcase trends from different decades, featuring 60 new fall-winter outfits. Since its grand opening in 2013, the department store has become deeply rooted in Beijing.

Galeries Lafayette has become a premier curator of French lifestyle in the Chinese market and a conduit for importing French culture and cutting-edge global fashion and art into China. Committed to nurturing designers, it showcases vibrant Chinese designs with international impact. Visitors to Galeries Lafayette Beijing can explore both renowned luxury brands like Saint Laurent, Thom Browne and Balmain, as well as distinctive designer labels such as TeddyTales and Jacquemus.

Nicolas Morineaux (third from right), CEO of Galeries Lafayette China, raises a toast alongside guests at the celebration event held in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo by Zheng Liang/China.org.cn]

"During the period, we have not only solidified our position as a leader in retail brands but also become an important bridge for introducing French brands, lifestyles and culture into the Chinese market," said Nicolas Morineaux, CEO of Galeries Lafayette China. He noted that the department store excels at capturing and infusing the city's distinctive elements into its fashion space, allowing visitors to experience the city's character in condensed form.

He added, "This year marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, with close ties in politics, economy, culture and other fields. I believe we will contribute even more to cultural exchanges and business cooperation between China, France and the world."

Galeries Lafayette, which has expanded its services to five Chinese cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Chongqing and Macao — has planned a series of activities in China to celebrate its milestone anniversary this year, including trunk shows and designer exhibitions. In a statement, the brand revealed that Galeries Lafayette China is introducing a fully upgraded transformation strategy. This includes enhancing its customer relationship management, improved member experiences, special promotions and exclusive offline events.

Models walk during a fashion show held outside the Galeries Lafayette building in Xidan, Xicheng district, Beijing, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Galeries Lafayette China]

Wang Bo, vice mayor of Xicheng district in Beijing, applauded Galeries Lafayette's store in Xidan, one of the city's most influential commercial zones, for not only offering unique shopping experiences but also allowing consumers to experience the fusion of fashion and art. This has earned widespread recognition and affection, further propelling Xidan to become one of Beijing's trendiest business districts.

Currently, Xicheng district is also advancing the high-quality construction of the international consumption center city demonstration zone. "We will maintain a global perspective and expand our international horizons," Wang said. "We will make greater efforts to attract and utilize foreign investment, set up the first and flagship stores of internationally renowned brands, and develop new scenarios and experiential stores."

Xia Lan (left), general manager of Refosian, and Nicolas Morineaux, CEO of Galeries Lafayette China, exchange gifts at the celebration event held in Beijing, Aug. 30, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Galeries Lafayette China]

Also at the event, representatives from the 130-year-old Galeries Lafayette and the 162-year-old Chinese silk brand Refosian, exchanged gifts representing their brands and the cultures of their respective countries. This exchange not only connected the two brands but also represented the fusion of Chinese and French cultures.

The Beijing Xidan Fashion Festival is a large-scale consumption promotion event in Xicheng district, which has been held for 14 years. This year, the festival will run until Oct. 31 and include more than 20 themed activities in three major series, while enhancing digital empowerment.