The job market in China's fashion and luxury industries is flourishing for French people. Working in China is becoming increasingly accessible. The country has established itself as the world's leading economic power since 2014. French-style luxury is the stuff of dreams for the Chinese, who are ready to hire young French talent every day in all fashion-related sectors. However, the road to success is not always smooth. working in China.
If you're passionate about fashion and drawn to China, we'll give you the keys to working in China in fashion and luxury.
France and China meet in fashion and luxury: a true love story
Historically, China and France share a common taste for fabric craftsmanship. Indeed, for thousands of years, China has been renowned for its remarkable silk work. As for France, names like Gabrielle Chanel and Christian Dior resonate around the world, thanks to the prestige of their haute couture work.
There is a deep respect, even shared admiration, between these two nations with very different cultures but extremely rich in terms of cultural heritage.
In recent years, China has become the world's leading consumer of French luxury goods. For the Chinese, French luxury and fashion represent much more than a consumer product. It's a true state of mind, combining elegance, refinement, quality of finish and haute couture as an art form...
The establishment of French fashion and luxury brands paves the way for working in China.
The luxury and fashion sectors are doing extremely well, particularly in China. Every year, many Chinese and French fashion brands recruit French people for internships, work-study programs, VIE or even permanent contracts. So, as you'll have guessed, now's the time to go! working in China !
In addition, major French brands are opening more and more boutiques in Shanghai and Beijing. They are also conquering the online fashion market. One example is the creation of the "French Boutique" at the beginning of 2017, on the world-famous Chinese website Alibaba. Within this French Boutique, ten French brands will appear on the Chinese site. This collaboration gives a real boost to the visibility and presence of French fashion brands in France.
What's more, major French groups such as LVMH are setting up more and more stores in China. This is very good news for the fashion job market in China! Working in China is increasingly within reach.
Working in China when you're French: a success story with nuances.
In this booming market, competition is getting tougher and tougher. So, if you're dreaming of working in China in fashion and luxury, you'll need self-sacrifice, patience and motivation!
To start with, you'll need a perfect command of English, and ideally Mandarin. Then, a first experience in fashion or luxury goods, either as an intern or on a work-study program, will be highly appreciated. In China, the emphasis placed on language skills and professional experience on your CV is particularly appreciated, more so than a course at a famous school.
That's why you'll need to be patient before embarking on the Chinese experience! We advise you to study at a professional fashion school in France. ISAL Paris proposes a three-year bachelor's degreeThe program includes an internship each year with a major fashion or luxury company. In-depth English and Mandarin courses are offered. What's more, we offer an international internship option. Thanks to our many partnerships with China, you'll be able to do an internship with a fashion company in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou or Guangzhou.
To help you in your search, here are 20 useful sites for finding a job in China.
