Amid the growing wave of Chinese brands going global, the fashion industry is undergoing a profound transformation in value — from contract manufacturing to brand storytelling, and from being the “world’s factory” to bringing “Oriental aesthetics” to a global audience.
This is more than an industry transformation. It is a timely topic for every University of Manchester alumnus with a global perspective.
On 11 September, the University of Manchester China Centre Alumni Marketing Club is delighted to welcome Ms. Liu Peifang, one of the pioneering media professionals in China’s fashion industry and recipient of the 2014 “China Fashion Industry Person of the Year” award, for an in-depth and interactive conversation with our alumni.
Date: Friday, 11 September 2026
Time: 13:30–15:30
Venue: Fashion Industry World Trade Centre Reception Lounge,Room 42, F Channel, 6/F, ShanghaiMart,2299 Yan’an West Road, Shanghai
Topic: From “Made in China” to “Chinese Brands” — Value Transformation and Future Opportunities in the Fashion Industry
In 1992, Ms. Liu joined the team preparing to launch Shanghai Fashion News, China’s first newspaper dedicated to the fashion industry. Starting as a journalist, she rose to become Executive Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor, witnessing first-hand the transformation of China’s fashion industry from the “blue-and-grey era” to an increasingly diverse and vibrant landscape.
From 2007, she served as Editor-in-Chief of Fashion Monthly, the official publication of the Shanghai Garment Trade Association. In 2014, she was named a “China Fashion Industry Person of the Year”. In 2017, she founded Secrets Behind Fashion, an industry-focused platform dedicated to content creation, resource integration and empowering the fashion industry.
Over the years, she has worked as a journalist, editor-in-chief and association executive, while also organising industry forums, running educational programmes and developing initiatives to support the sector.
As she puts it: “Clothes ultimately need to be well-fitting and appropriate. There are plenty of people who focus on making a spectacle, but whatever the era, nothing can replace the human touch.”
More Than Listening — A Two-Way Conversation
This sharing session goes beyond the traditional format of a one-way presentation. A dedicated interactive dialogue will give both the speaker and alumni the opportunity to exchange ideas.
Ms. Liu will pose questions to our alumni and explore how a new generation with international experience views the rise of Chinese brands. Alumni will also have plenty of opportunities to ask questions, exchange perspectives and engage directly with Liu.
13:30–13:45 | Registration
13:45–14:30 | Guest Introduction & Icebreaker
14:30–14:40 | Keynote Sharing
14:40–15:20 | Guest Dialogue & Audience Interaction
15:20–15:30 | Group Photo & Networking
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