Shanghai has officially opened the First International Jewelry Fashion Theme Month, alongside the 2025 Shanghai Haute Couture Week, marking a major step in its plan to position itself as a global centre for jewellery and fashion. The launch took place on 30 October 2025 in the Grand Yuyuan Cultural Area, following the recent establishment of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District.
The event serves as the first large-scale initiative for the newly formed functional district and includes a series of high-profile activities aimed at accelerating industry development. During the ceremony, the official logo of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District was revealed, signalling the district’s ambition to strengthen global visibility and identity.
Six formally appointed inaugural members of the expert advisory panel were Yang Mingxing, Sun Jie, Dietmar, Cui Lei, Qiu Qijing and Xu Jin. Representing sectors such as academia, art, fashion, and media, the group will advise on future strategic and creative direction. Their appointments reflect the district’s goal to build international expertise and creative depth.
A Brand Key Acceptance Ceremony also featured, with representatives from 15 major brands across categories including fine gold, gemstones, international luxury houses, and independent designer labels receiving the symbolic Golden Key. The gesture represents collaboration and long-term development within the district. New cooperation agreements were signed between Zijin Mining Group Gold & Jewelry Co., Ltd., the Gem & Jewelry Trade Association of China, and the district’s operator, creating new partnership pathways across the jewellery supply chain.
Executives suggested that these developments will expand coordination across the sector, strengthening exhibition, trade, and innovation capacity within the district.
Speaking at the ceremony, Xu Xiaoliang, President of the Shanghai International Fashion Federation and Co-CEO of Fosun International, said that the launch of the Theme Month is a “crucial step” to advance Shanghai’s jewellery industry cluster strategy. He said the initiative links gold and jewellery with haute couture and consumer culture, adding that Grand Yuyuan is attracting “the world’s leading design talents, commercial resources, and consumer attention” as it evolves from a traditional “Jewelry Street” into a modern international fashion landmark.
Running alongside the theme month, the 2025 Shanghai Haute Couture Week highlighted creative cross-overs between jewellery, fashion, and design. The opening showcase, Ceremony of Life: Trilogy of Rituals, was jointly developed by C-Jewelry and designer Pan Hong (PAN’S). The collection blended traditional artisanal techniques with modern design to present a celebration of Chinese craftsmanship and cultural identity.
Commenting on market momentum, Wang Lixin, CEO of the World Gold Council China, said the gold industry is currently experiencing dual growth in investment and consumption. He noted that “Grand Yuyuan” carries both cultural and historic weight within the jewellery industry, adding that the district links jewellery trade with culture, tourism, and art. He highlighted the Shanghai Gold Exchange’s role in reinforcing this consumer cycle.
The Theme Month includes new store openings, fashion exhibitions, and dedicated retail experiences. Lao Miao and CIGALONG will open new locations at BFC, combining traditional Chinese jewellery design with emerging independent aesthetic trends. BFC will also work with luxury houses to host brand salons and launches throughout the autumn-winter season.
As part of the initiative, the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District will pursue six key strategies: exhibition and festival promotion, investment attraction, infrastructure expansion, capability enhancement, brand incubation, and innovation-driven empowerment. The long-term plan is to build the district into a centre for jewellery trade, design, production, brand growth, and industry services, contributing to Shanghai’s ambition to lead the global jewellery market across Asia-Pacific and beyond.
