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Kering bets on China’s gold jewelry boom as Laopu’s sales soar

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Kering bets on China’s gold jewelry boom as Laopu’s sales soar


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Bloomberg

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December 5, 2025

A new crop of Chinese gold jewelry brands are attracting investor interest in the wake of Laopu Gold Co.’s breakout success.

Bloomberg

Hangzhou-based Borland, a gold jeweler specializing in traditional Chinese goldsmith technique known as “filigree”, said this week it has raised more than 100 million yuan ($14 million) from investors including Kering Ventures, the startup investment arm of Kering SA, and Shunwei Capital, a top Chinese venture capital firm co-founded by billionaire Xiaomi Corp. chairman Lei Jun.

Kering said the small minority interest in Borland through Kering Ventures enables the company to “participate in the development of a rapidly growing brand in the particularly buoyant 24-karat gold jewelry segment”.

Separately, Dayone Capital in recent days announced a strategic investment worth more than 100 million yuan in Lamchiu, a maker of hand-crafted bespoke pieces based in the northwest Chinese city of Lanzhou. 

China’s high-end gold jewelry boom has been fueled by the surprise rise of Laopu, which has defied the weak performance seen among Western luxury rivals in China. Laopu’s revenue in the first half of 2025 soared more than 250% year-on-year to 12.4 billion yuan, on top of 168% sales growth the year before. 

“Laopu has shown the market that this niche sector can continue to break out, and rising gold prices also help lift the overall buzz,” said Richard Lin, a consumer analyst with SPDB International Holdings Ltd. “The rising investment and financing enthusiasm for the heritage gold segment is clearly driven by confidence in the category’s long-term growth potential.”

Heritage gold jewelry refers to gold pieces rooted in Chinese culture and traditional goldsmith techniques, including filigree work. With stores in top-tier malls, Laopu’s clientele overlaps — and increasingly threatens — stalwarts from Hermès International SCA to Richemont-owned Cartier

Still, while Borland and Lamchiu have official stores on e-commerce platforms like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Tmall and JD.com Inc., both have a limited physical presence — Borland operates just three mall outlets and Lamchiu, despite more than 1 million followers on ByteDance Ltd.’s TikTok-like Douyin, has only one Lanzhou storefront. 

Borland said it will use the new funding to expand distribution and boost supply chain resilience. Dayone has formed a team to help Lamchiu with similar tasks.  
 



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Cambodia & Canada discuss strengthening economic ties

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Cambodia & Canada discuss strengthening economic ties



Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Canadian ambassador to the country Christian DesRoches recently discussed strengthening economic ties, while advancing preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November this year.

In the course of a meeting with Hun Manet at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh, Ambassador DesRoches expressed appreciation for the long-standing diplomatic ties, highlighting the steady progress in bilateral relations, particularly in trade and Canadian investment in Cambodia.

The envoy underscored his country’s commitment to supporting Cambodia’s successful hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit. He stressed Canada’s commitment to further strengthening and expanding cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade and economic relations, while also reaffirming support for Cambodia’s development priorities.

Cambodian PM Hun Manet and Canadian ambassador to the country Christian DesRoches recently discussed strengthening economic ties, while advancing preparations for the 20th Francophonie Summit scheduled for November.
The envoy stressed Canada’s commitment to further strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation, especially in trade and economic ties, and reaffirmed support for development priorities.

He thanked Cambodia for its support in promoting Canada’s economic cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and advancing negotiations for the ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACFTA), expected to be concluded and signed soon, according to Cambodian media reports.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)



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US CBP to soon launch electronic system for importers to claim refunds

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US CBP to soon launch electronic system for importers to claim refunds



US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that it will launch an electronic system on April 20, enabling importers to submit and process tariff refund claims more efficiently.

CBP is developing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) functionality within the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) to streamline the submission and processing of valid refund requests for duties imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as authorised by court order or applicable law.

US Customs and Border Protection will launch on April 20 an electronic system that importers can use to claim tariff refunds authorised by court order or applicable law.
Phase 1 will be limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation.
Refunds will be issued within 60-90 days of the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries declaration getting accepted.

Phase 1 will be limited to certain unliquidated entries and certain entries within 80 days of liquidation.

CAPE is designed to consolidate refunds of IEEPA duties including interest rather than processing refunds on an entry-by-entry basis.

CBP plans to implement CAPE through a phased development approach, adding more functionality in subsequent phases for more complicated scenarios, it said in a release.

Valid IEEPA refunds will generally be issued within 60-90 days following acceptance of the CAPE declaration, unless a compliance concern requires further CBP review.

However, certain scenarios, such as entries that are extended, suspended or under review, and warehouse entries, will maintain their liquidation status with validated refunds issued at liquidation.

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US’ Gap & FIT launch programme to mentor fashion students

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US’ Gap & FIT launch programme to mentor fashion students



At the FIT Annual Gala on April 14, Gap Inc. President & CEO Richard Dickson (NYSE: GAP) announced the launch of The Doris Fisher Creators Program, a new mentorship initiative developed in partnership with Gap Inc. and the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

Named in honor of Gap Inc. co-founder Doris Fisher, the program reflects her legacy of creativity, curiosity, and belief in people. It also builds on Gap Inc.’s commitment to helping bridge the opportunity gap by creating stronger connections between education and careers in the fashion industry.

Gap Inc., led by Richard Dickson, has launched The Doris Fisher Creators Program with the Fashion Institute of Technology to mentor students in fashion careers.
Starting Fall 2026, the programme will offer structured mentorship, industry exposure, and networking for select students, honouring Doris Fisher and strengthening pathways from education to careers.

“Gap Inc. is a house of iconic American brands guided by our purpose — to bridge gaps to create a better world. That includes bridging the opportunity gap. FIT embodies that same spirit, bringing education and industry together to unlock talent and expand what’s possible. We’re committed to opening doors, investing in emerging creatives, and building meaningful pathways into this industry for the next generation,” said Dickson.  

The Doris Fisher Creators Program will connect FIT students with Gap Inc. leaders and creatives through a structured mentorship experience designed to provide exposure to the business of fashion, industry insights, and meaningful professional connection. 

The program will launch in Fall 2026 and run through the academic year, and the inaugural cohort will include students from select disciplines, including Fashion Design, Graphic Design (Apparel), and Fabric Styling.

“Supporting emerging talent is a core expression of Gap Inc.’s purpose in action. Through initiatives such as The Doris Fisher Creators Program — alongside This Way ONward, the Rotational Management Program, and our broader internship and mentorship efforts — the company continues to bridge the opportunity gap for young people looking to start meaningful careers in fashion and retail,” added Amy Thompson, Chief People Officer at Gap Inc.   

“We are incredibly proud to be the first public college to partner with Gap Inc. on this groundbreaking mentorship program. This remarkable opportunity with one of the world’s most iconic brands will support 30 talented FIT students over the next year, placing them at the intersection of innovation and impact,” said Jason S. Schupbach, president of FIT.

A benefit for the FIT Foundation, this year’s FIT Annual Gala honored Gap Inc. President & CEO Richard Dickson and was attended by distinguished guests and alumni including Ciara, Aloe Blacc, Zac Posen, Bob Fisher and others. 

The FIT Foundation provided scholarships totaling more than $3 million in 2025.

Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)



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