She said the shift has been driven by the country's increasingly sophisticated manufacturing capabilities, stronger design talent, rising cultural confidence and digital platforms that allow brands to reach overseas consumers directly.

　　Brands such as Songmont, which incorporates Chinese architectural and craft traditions into contemporary handbag design, and fragrance brand To Summer, which transforms ingredients such as Longjing tea and osmanthus into modern scents, represent a broader effort to create products with Chinese roots but global appeal.

　　Beyond exporting products

　　Many Chinese brands first establish themselves domestically before expanding overseas. Icicle, however, has taken a bolder approach.

　　Founded in Shanghai in 1997 by Ye and Tao Xiaoma, both graduates of Donghua University, Icicle was built around their belief that clothing should combine quality materials, craftsmanship and comfort.

　　The company opened its Paris office in 2012 and established a design center there the following year. In 2018, Icicle acquired French fashion house Carven, giving the Chinese company a foothold in the European fashion ecosystem and deeper exposure to international brand management.

　　Today, its collections are developed through collaboration between teams in Shanghai and Paris.

　　Ye believes Paris remains a critical testing ground for fashion brands seeking international recognition.

　　Within a few square kilometers of central Paris, Icicle now operates four boutiques, placing the brand in one of the world's most competitive fashion markets.

　　"If we tried to internationalize directly from Shanghai, the road would be much longer," Ye said. "France is an important global fashion center. Once we establish ourselves here, entering other markets becomes much easier."