LONDON — Claire Chung is leaving the Chinese fashion site Shangpin.com to join Net-a-porter Group in the newly created role of general manager for China, WWD has learned.
An announcement is expected today.
Chung was formerly vice-president of international business development for Shangpin, China’s first online, full-priced retailer for contemporary and designer fashion. On her watch, Shangpin inked deals with brands ranging from Lanvin to Topshop, launching them online in the Chinese market. She also signed the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s first partnership in China.
Chung, who joins Net-a-porter this week, will be responsible for overseeing the business development of the group in China and Taiwan. She will lead a team across marketing, PR, social media, finance, logistics, HR, IT support, and e-commerce.
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Net-a-Porter said Chung will also be responsible for growing the customer base and building the brand. She will be based in the e-tailer’s Shanghai offices and report to Alison Loehnis, president of Net-a-porter.com.
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Chung said the evolution of the Chinese fashion consumer is “unmatched in history. It’s hard to imagine that 20 years ago, the only fashion offer was the Mao suit. China has since come a long way in a very brief time and I am very proud of that.
“The new luxury consumer is young and is seeking to express themselves through fashion and lifestyle.”
Loehnis said Chung’s appointment “is indicative of just how committed we are to growth in China and Taiwan. Claire’s level of experience and business expertise, coupled with her vision and entrepreneurial spirit, will be an incredible asset to our business.”
Chung is also the founder of Touch2Give.com, a European-based, social-network start-up providing an online marketplace for emerging designer brands with a focus on ethics and sustainability.
She launched Christie’s Art Advisory Service in Hong Kong, and was an art credit analyst at Citibank Art Advisory in New York. Chung graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University with a degree in Art History.