Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny has become one of the most popular artists in the world despite singing exclusively in Spanish. His music has broken down barriers between English and Spanish-speaking audiences. 

Bad Bunny

A new trend has emerged in China whereby people are recreating ‘White people food’ lunches, which are often seen as bland and unappetising. The trend is thought to be a way for Chinese people to poke fun at Western food culture – as well as a way to save time and money on lunch.

White people food

More and more women are travelling to South Korea to find love. Drawn to the characters they see on their TVs, women from around the world are seeking the kind of well-groomed, romantic, and gentle men found in Korean pop culture. 

K-drama dreams

With celebrity fans including Samuel L. Jackson, Kanye West, and Megan Thee Stallion, anime has found a receptive audience among Black Americans, whose interest in Japanese animation is challenging assumptions about niche interests, fan art, and cosplay.

Anime fandom

TikTok creators worldwide are using AI to rewrite history. By applying their imaginations to decolonise the past, they’re conjuring alternate timelines in which Western imperial nations never came to power. 

Alternate timelines

Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the genre-hopping sci-fi film Everything Everywhere All At Once unapologetically centred the Asian American experience. In 2023, it became an Oscar sensation by winning seven awards, including Michelle Yeoh’s ‘Best Actress’ prize.  

Everything Everywhere All At Once

South Korea has produced some of the world’s most famous esports stars. But in the age of streaming, the nature of celebrity in the gaming world can vary, with content creators and fans joining the fray. What can competitive and non-competitive gamers teach about building a thriving fanbase?

How South Korea’s celebrity gamers build dedicated fandoms

A collaboration between fragrance brand Documents and funeral goods provider Greatroam has produced a creative incense burner that taps into the wave of 'guochao' in China. Young people in the country are seeking contemporary takes on heritage to celebrate culture and access a sense of stability.

Incense burner collab brings luxury to Qingming Festival

GagaOOLala, Asia’s pioneering LGBTQ+ streaming service, aims to spotlight queer stories in mainstream media. The platform mirrors a surge in demand for queer content and the progress of the community’s rights in Asia, catering to a group that had little to no media attention up until recently.

Why GagaOOLala uncensors the stories of queer Asians

With their formative years hindered by pandemic lockdowns, it’s no wonder why Gen Alphas found comfort in online communities. On the gaming platform Roblox, Southeast Asian Gen Alphas advocate for their beliefs – from politics to religion – in a way no other generation has before.

Why Roblox became Southeast Asian Gen Alphas’ social podium

The ‘Patron Saint of Situationships’ returns! Following the success of her single, ‘B.A.D,’ Filipina R&B artist Denise Julia has released ‘Sugar n Spice,’ a feel-good track embracing same-gender attraction, which resonates deeply with listeners seeking representation and authenticity.

How Denise Julia revives Filipino R&B for global listeners

Southeast Asia has emerged as the next hotspot for medical tourists seeking high-quality, affordable healthcare and luxury wellness experiences. The region's integration of traditional and modern medical practices attracts millions to its unique blend of treatment, recovery, and vacation.

How Southeast Asia became a medical tourism hotspot

Music is becoming increasingly globalised as listeners seek artists and genres across languages and cultures, resulting in more diverse line-ups at festivals and other live music events. How is the rise of globalised music changing mainstream festival culture and appealing to younger audiences?

How ‘borderless’ music is shaping festival culture

India’s discerning high net worth individuals (HNWIs) are increasingly reviving traditions and connecting past and present in their fashion. Many now place high value on timelessness, especially among well-heeled urban globetrotters. What can others learn from this shift back to roots?

Why India's HNWIs are bringing back traditional designs

The US Major League Baseball (MLB) is looking to achieve success beyond its home field. MLB’s decision to venture into South Korea is a strategic decision to engage the nation’s notable talents and its world-renowned fandom culture, which catapulted homegrown entertainment to the world stage.

How MLB scores global popularity from Korean sports fans

Following years of being cooped up in their homes, Filipinos are looking to break free from the monotony of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Brands can leverage this wave of revenge travel by tailoring services to their desire for active ecotourism, immersive experiences, and pandemic-resilient travelling.

Pent-up wanderlust is pushing Filipinos to revenge travel

Dune: Part Two is shaping up to be a major hit in China. The film has spawned internet memes and inspired fashion trends on social media. Following in the footsteps of Barbie’s success among Chinese audiences, it speaks to opportunities for more cross-border engagement with global cultural products.

Dune captivates China despite anti-Hollywood shift

South African sensation Tyla made history by winning the inaugural Best African Music Performance award at the Grammys. Her rapid ascent to global fame, rooted in her genuine authenticity, ushers more spaces for global music in the mainstream, led by the likes of Afrobeats and Amapiano DJ remixes.

How Tyla bolstered the global appeal of African music

The number of millionaires and billionaires is rising in Southeast Asia, marking the region as a centre for wealth creation and economic boom for locals and international visitors alike. What trends and behaviours are unfolding with the influx into this new high-earning market?

Why are HNWIs flocking to Southeast Asia?

The governments of Brazil and Argentina have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance air travel for both countries. As people increasingly search for budget-friendly holiday options closer to home, there's an opportunity for brands to cater to the rising interest in local tourism.

Brazil and Argentina forge attractive air travel policy

Coach is expanding its offering in Southeast Asia with the launch of a restaurant and coffee shop in Jakarta. Both dining experiences will feature New York-inspired twists and flavours on its menu offerings at a time when young people are looking for unique and immersive food experiences.

Coach offers New York dining experience in Jakarta

Snap has announced the return of its AR Ramadan mall, complete with new features to heighten the immersive retail experience during the festive season. It’s an example of successful localisation that goes beyond product to become an integral companion in the everyday lives of local customers.

Snap uses AR to bring Ramadan shopping to life

In a first for the brand, MCM has launched a Ramadan-themed capsule collection. While Eid and Ramadan will continue to be important moments for luxury brands to show up, the growing buying power of Muslim shoppers means they’ll be expecting localisation to be the norm rather than a novelty.

MCM debuts Ramadan capsule collection 

In Korea, GLAD Hotel has unveiled an overnight package in collaboration with the local beauty brand Beauty of Joseon, making guests feel like locals. As travellers seek ways to immerse themselves in local culture, there's an opportunity for brands to help guests feel at home while they're away.

GLAD hotel entices tourists with hyper-local offering

The Taiwanese series Let’s Talk About CHU was a regional hit in and outside Taiwan thanks to its buzzy sex scenes and universal themes. Its success proves that cultural interchange, Asian language content, and Southeast Asian creativity are lucrative forces in streaming.

How Let’s Talk About CHU universalises the Asian tongue

Beauty products have become one of Indonesia's fastest-growing markets and businesses in the last few years. However, local brands used to have less access to expand their market. Sociolla emerged as an e-commerce platform bridging the gap between beauty brand enthusiasts and the brands themselves.

How Sociolla blends Indonesian quality into global beauty

As beacons of queer excellence, Drag Race spin-offs in Asia have brought a wave of inclusivity to screens and stages. The series bites into the appetites of millions of underrepresented members of the LGBTQ+ community and more as it just keeps getting bigger, more popular, and better.

Why Drag Race sashayed into Asia with queer excellence

Regional music styles have evolved in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, the popularity of ‘budots’ (‘slacker’ in the Visayan language) from a grassroots scene to a mainstream genre shows that it could redefine Filipino dance music, which in the past has been heavily inspired by the West.

How Filipino EDM genre budots took street music worldwide

More and more Gen Alpha gamers in Southeast Asia are finding support and community via online games, creating multiple opportunities for brands looking to join the fun. Savvy marketers have begun partnering with popular Twitcher streamers and YouTubers, tapping into the gaming community's idols.

Why games are the new social media for Southeast Asian Gen Alpha

Gentle Monster is more than a sunglass store with colossal robots. Its rich, immersive brand narrative is a survival tool for the future of luxury retail. Through experiential stores and experimental accessories, it highlights the power of quality experiences that stand out to the fashion-forward.

Why Gentle Monster turns Korean shades into mod spectacles

Foreigners are turning to Chinese netizens on Xiaohongshu for makeover advice with the 听劝 trend. Chinese users act as mentors for global users, offering hyper-local knowledge and deepening the intercultural exchange that has been booming in the beauty industry, with local heritage taking precedence.

Chinese netizens are giving cross-cultural beauty advice

In 2023, Modelo Especial dethroned Bud Light to become America’s most popular beer. Its rise to the top reflects a shifting culture of beer drinking – characterized by the growing Latine population, political controversies, and a trend of people opting for premium offerings to enjoy at home.

How Modelo brings a Latine buzz to US beer culture

As part of an attempt to change China’s title as the world’s biggest polluter and bridge the say-do gap in EV adoption, homegrown brands are working double time to make innovation as accessible as possible. BYD rises to the top of this list, overtaking Tesla’s dominance in the eco-driving market.

How BYD speeds up Chinese drivers’ access to green vehicles

The international impact of Thai pop culture through movies, series, and other media has been an exciting breakthrough for Southeast Asia. Making waves on the internet now is Thai beauty, catching eyes and turning heads with a distinct makeup style and affordable cosmetics.

Thai beauty's secret to going global? Focusing on local shoppers

Minimalist styles dominate the global furniture market, led by Swedish brand IKEA, which Japanese brand Nitori wants to challenge. In their current battleground, Southeast Asia, Nitori attempts to get ahead by tapping into locals’ preferences for more practical and convenient living.

Why Nitori builds utilitarian spaces for SEA homemakers

Despite being the largest producer of milk in the world, India has traditionally never been associated with cheese production. But things are rapidly changing, with a slew of artisanal cheese companies mushrooming around the country due to a rising economy and a desire for novelty and globalisation.

Experience-hunting audiences are driving a dairy boom in India

The Chinese EV maker has announced its entry into the European market with its ultra-premium line, Yangwang. While European buyers continue to show hesitation around Chinese brands, there’s an opportunity to explore more novel forms of luxury storytelling to enhance customer trust.

BYD looks to conquer European luxury EV market

Universal Music Group (UMG) has joined hands with the UAE-based entity Dubai Global Music City (DGMC) to build a hub for the region’s music industry. As artists and fandoms become increasingly transnational, there’s an opportunity to spotlight and nurture emerging hotspots of global popular culture.

UMG develops MENA’s first 'music city' in Dubai

EmSphere offers an unparalleled futuristic experience by blending lifestyle, shopping, and a seamless online-offline experience under one roof. The mall caters to distressed locals and returning tourists in search of greener spaces to socialise and be entertained in the heart of the capital.

Why EmSphere blueprints the future of Thai shopping

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Gen Zers in the APAC region explores how young people today express their national identities while keeping a global mindset, assert their individuality in the workplace alongside AI, and look to markers from simpler times for stability and inspiration.

2024 APAC Gen Z Snapshot

EasyPaisa has launched a service that helps Pakistani women understand the Nikahnama – the Islamic marriage contract. Through the 'Audio Nikahnama' option in its mobile banking app, EasyPaisa attempts to bridge a knowledge gap and respond to the demand for tech empowering marginalized communities.

EasyPaisa unpacks marriage contracts for Pakistani women

Remote work has spread over the last 10 years, allowing many professionals seeking flexibility and comfort to try working from anywhere. Known as digital nomads, remote workers who live in Southeast Asia (SEA) aim to earn the most they can while affording luxury where it’s much cheaper.

How Southeast Asia became a melting pot for digital nomads

CunBA, a form of ‘grassroots basketball,’ has taken over Chinese social media with its widescale livestreaming of games featuring smaller towns, eliciting competitive hype around the sport. It brings China’s disparate minorities closer while raising a new, promising crop of homegrown ball players.

How CunBA carries grassroots sports to online virality

A mass exodus is underway in Nigeria as young people and those within the tech and creative fields attempt to escape an array of political, security, and economic problems at home. What exactly is driving the ‘japa’ phenomenon, and can anything be done to address the motivations of these emigrants?

How the Japa phenomenon hurt Nigeria’s creative capital

Festival season is a buyer’s market for fashion-forward Indian consumers, with much of the spending on textiles, garments, and jewellry. International brands are taking notice of the growing appetite of India’s affluent classes for luxury and responding with collections to satisfy their tastes.

For affluent Indians, festival season is an excuse to spend more on luxury

Vietnam has proven itself to be a key player in game production worldwide. Vietnamese consumers care about genres, affordability, and ‘the social aspect of play,’ while the government and local game developers put more emphasis on made-in-Vietnam products and the improvement of the whole industry.

How Vietnam went from anti-gaming to an emerging industry powerhouse

The social enterprise is partnering with artisans across Malaysia to create the traditional fabric for apparel and accessories. As people continue to look for brands to demonstrate equity and opportunities to uplift their heritage, small businesses like Batik Boutique stand out.

Batik Boutique elevates Malaysian heritage handicrafts

So-called 'third culture kids' are sharing fusion recipes that are near to their hearts online and finding global fandom for their creations – even if they don’t fit in a neat cultural box. Notions of culinary authenticity are changing, and people are hungry for food content that reflects this.

'Third culture kids' push culinary boundaries on TikTok

Global South Gen Zers represent an increasingly influential demographic, and brands are changing their tech and user experience designs as a result. Canvas8 spoke to digital anthropologist Dr. Payal Arora about the needs, innovations, and challenges of young people in the developing world.

Dr. Payal Arora on the future of inclusive tech 

Clothing brand PH5 is turning heads with its experimental knitwear designs and commitment to ethical fashion. In a world increasingly seeking luxury and sustainability in equal measure, that might be just the ticket to set it apart and elevate China’s worldwide fashion profile.

How PH5 stitches lasting luxury into ‘Made in China’ labels

The Chinese lifestyle app launched a new 'nearby' section to make finding local gems easier for users and connecting with people around them as they travel. This feature highlights the way people are increasingly looking for niche local finds and ways to blend their on and offline interactions.

Xiaohongshu launches 'nearby' tab in-app for local recs

Humble British classics from jacket potatoes to beans on toast are trending on TikTok, leading to their popularity on a global level. The social media platform is not only enabling the discovery of new foods but, in many cases, reviving tradition and supporting independent establishments.




TikTok drives interest in traditional British foods

Dorito's Super Bowl ad features Jenna Ortega, her two fictional 'abuelas', and actor Danny Ramirez to promote the brand's spicy Dinamita flavors. It caters to consumers' changing palates and showcases Latin culture, acknowledging the influence of diverse communities on flavor choices.

Doritos Super Bowl ad champions Latin culture and flavors

Filipino fans are spending without hesitation to fly to overseas destinations just to see their favourite global icons perform live on stage. Fusing two passion points – music and travel, what are the motivations behind this rising trend, and what can brands learn from it?

Concert holidays: A rising trend with Filipino tourists

From being the biggest horror fans, Southeast Asians are becoming a powerful force in reshaping the genre. Indie visual novel Kabaret transforms the gaming scene by making horror an avenue for telling the world about the region’s dark histories – from its mythical beings to its dark social reality.

How Kabaret evokes historical emotion in fantasy gamers

Ease of use and interoperability have made homegrown instant payment systems the preferred mode of transactions for payments for millions of Indians who are becoming more digitally savvy and evolving commerce locally. Now, the United Payments Interface (UPI) is trying to recreate its success abroad.

How cashless payments are restructuring the Indian economy

As the Year of the Dragon approaches, sales of dragon-themed products have seen explosive growth on e-commerce platforms in China. The traditional cultural symbol of good luck and prosperity is resonating particularly with young consumers, who are driving the country's guochao movement.

Chinese buyers drive sales of dragon-related products 

Lunar New Year has varied celebrations across Southeast Asia, though a focus on food, reunions, and prosperity traditions are common. E-commerce plays a vital role in shopping surges, with Gen Z emerging as a pivotal market in the region, leading the evolution of consumer behaviour.

How the Lunar New Year drives shopping among Southeast Asia's Gen Z

Pharmacies have been one of France’s best-kept secrets for centuries, but now a spike in public awareness has turned the country into a sought-after tourist destination, ignited by social media and the viral hashtag #frenchpharmacies. What’s driving this interest in the country’s skincare industry?

What’s driving global fascination with French pharmacies?

Lululemon's ‘Be Spring’ campaign starring Michelle Yeoh has drawn mixed responses in light of founder Chip Wilson’s anti-diversity remarks. As brands navigate an increasingly complex DE&I landscape, demonstrating inclusion as an ongoing practice and a strong grasp of market-specific nuances are key.

Lululemon’s Lunar New Year ad gives mixed DE&I messaging

In an unprecedented move, one of China’s most popular livestream sellers is pivoting away from Douyin. As cross-border content and product discovery become more porous than ever, there’s an opportunity to cater to anti-gatekeeping desires and facilitate intercultural experiences online.

Chinese livestreamers look beyond Douyin to expand reach

With only one Southeast Asian stop in The Eras Tour, Filipino Swifties saw daylight in the form of Taylor Sheesh. The drag queen recreates Taylor Swift’s performances in local mall shows and private events, making the concert hype accessible for fans while pushing queer visibility to the mainstream.

Why Taylor Sheesh’s drag enchants Filipino Swifties

The popular athleisure brand Alo Yoga has enlisted the K-pop artist to be the face of its spring collection. The collab has increased Alo’s brand awareness among Asian audiences, which speaks to the enduring power of celebrity endorsements particularly in regions that boast strong K-pop fanbases.

Alo Yoga taps BLACKPINK’s Jisoo to broaden APAC appeal

China and the Philippines are arguably Asia’s biggest basketball nations, partly because the sport is integral to their respective histories. The NBA secures its position in Asia’s cultural sports identity through strategic partnerships and a holistic shopping ecosystem that crosses sectors.

How the NBA uses holistic experiences to court Asian basketball fans

The Hong Kong director’s debut TV series, Blossoms Shanghai, has sparked a domestic travel boom in the city of the same name. It’s speaking to people’s desire for hyperlocal nostalgia and escapism, and there’s an opportunity for brands to dial up the simulation when courting fandom-minded tourists.

Wong Kar-wai’s ‘Blossoms Shanghai’ spurs fan-led travel

Research has found that of the top five languages that listeners streamed in 2023, Hindi was the only one that grew. As social media allows listeners to access global talent, from K-Pop to Afrobeat, the centres of influence are expanding beyond the West as people embrace interculturalism.

Hindi music popularity signals growing interculturalism

Craft beer hype is rising rapidly in Hokkaido, but market oversaturation is lowering quality. Local brewers are concerned about the industry's rapid growth, and a lack of education persists. Because of this, brands can position themselves as authorities with a rich history and deep knowledge.

A craft beer buzz is brewing in Northern Japan

Prada has released a Chinese New Year campaign that harks back to the olden days of Shanghai. With visual references to Wong Kar-wai, the ad is capitalising on people’s renewed interest in Shanghainese history while also speaking to luxury brands' growing efforts to court cinephiles.

Prada revives Old Shanghai in Chinese New Year campaign

KFC has tapped into rising interest in Buddhism among China's youth with a coffee launch and partnership with a sacred site. Amid high levels of unemployment and a turbulent post-pandemic economy, young people are driving interest in religious locations in search of supportive spirituality.




KFC coffee launch taps growing spirituality in China

Following efforts to champion Chinese ceramics, Loewe's Lunar New Year 2024 campaign pays homage to the ancient art of jade carving. Tapping into 'guochao' sentiments, it demonstrates how to nail cultural appreciation at a time when people have grown tired of trite attempts at localising luxury.

Loewe spotlights Chinese jade carvers for Lunar New Year

Fandoms have long been considered the pinnacle of Gen Z culture, but how does this generation in the UK engage with their shared obsessions? Canvas8 spoke to K-Pop stans, Harry Potter die-hards, and F1 supporters to find out how they connect with their fandoms and what community means to them.

Why British Gen Zers are die-hard superfans

South Korea has created a unique visa that gives K-culture enthusiasts a taste of the Hallyu industry. As the global obsession with Hallyu continues to drive tourism in the country, the policy also signals the transformation of K-culture as an increasingly fluid and globalised commodity.

South Korea’s Hallyu visa courts aspiring K-pop idols

Queer group QI.X has employed useful strategies to secure a loyal fanbase despite facing some challenges throughout its rise in the K-pop world. The group exhibits how Korea’s conservative society does not necessarily have to hold back non-traditional bands – as long as they go global.

How QI.X serenades global K-pop fans via queer activism

With its authentic relatability and era-specific costumes, Netflix’s The Archies pays homage to the iconic clothing of the 60s, reinforcing the retro trend in Indian fashion. An adaptation of the Archie comics, the film localises its independent storylines and aesthetics for modern audiences.

Why The Archies is bringing vintage to Indian Gen Zers

Indigenous Indonesians are using the Korean Hangul to learn and preserve the Cia-Cia tongue, which has no written form. As marginalised communities fight to preserve their traditions and identity against erasure, they are finding innovative solutions in language preservation and dissemination.

Indigenous Indonesians use Hangul to save dialect

Thailand's T-Wave, driven by BL series and T-pop, has pushed far beyond the walls of the country and Southeast Asia into hearts across the globe. Transnational fandoms amplify Thailand's global impact, offering luxury brands a lucrative market among its superfans by exploring localised branding.

Everything you need to know about Thailand's T-Wave

A decade since its first store in China, the retail store MINISO has seen itself become a global lifestyle brand offering affordable, top-quality products. With thousands of locations globally, it entices ‘kidults’ through blind boxes and themed stores that elevate the dollar-store experience.

Why MINISO spreads the ‘kidult’ lifestyle in global retail

Featuring global artists, the concert aims to generate aid for the ongoing crises in Gaza and Sudan. This event highlights the evolution of the way in which crisis and culture intertwine, built on a message of the power and resilience that can come through collective action and consciousness.

Benefit concert amplifies aid to Sudan and Gaza

The Singapore government has announced that it will invest US$52 million to boost the development of Southeast Asia’s first regional LLM. As calls for AI equity grow louder, there are opportunities for more multilingual AI tools to help them unlock the benefits of tech to the fullest.

Southeast Asian LLM boosts AI’s linguistic inclusion

Very little can compare to a freshly brewed, slowly made cup of coffee. But with Southeast Asia’s entrepreneurship environment prioritising speed and innovation, tech-enabled chains are poised to reshape cafe culture. Will these companies continue to pick up steam, or are they not meant to stay?

Southeast Asians welcome convenient and accessible tech-enabled coffee

Indian-based Ayurveda brands have been transcending beyond their traditional medical sphere and venturing into beauty and personal care. With a growing appetite for Ayurvedic beauty, Kama Ayurveda has been positioning itself as the luxury brand to go to both inside and outside India.

How Kama Ayurveda makes luxury beauty from Indian roots

After becoming a TikTok sensation in 2020, Seo Won-jeong embraced his international following and expanded his influence beyond social media. As a marketing force in South Korea, his journey offers insights into how advertisers can harness influencers' perceived trustworthiness and relatability.

How Seo Won-jeong rose above TikTok virality with borderless humour

Stanley Onuorah, aka 'The Online Banker', is revolutionising Nigeria's financial landscape, skillfully dissecting complex banking practices with a blend of insights and humour. As traditional financial education channels decline, how is 'finfluencing' prompting a reexamination of modern finance?

How The Online Banker aids Nigerians’ financial literacy

The emergence of Ki One – South Korea’s first domestically-made single malt – has captured the attention of industry insiders and enthusiasts. As increasingly powerful Asian consumers look for products that reflect their tastes and origins, could whisky become the latest K-culture success story?

Why Ki One gives whisky lovers a taste of South Korea

Accessibility is not top-of-mind when discussing classical music, a genre long seen as something enjoyed only by high-brow, older listeners. But Youtuber duo TwoSet Violin is changing this, mixing serious music into ‘unserious’ content to appeal more to younger music lovers from Asia and the world.

Why TwoSet Violin makes classical music cool for Gen Z

In Southeast Asia, Genshin Impact, a mobile game known for its open-world RPG mechanics, has only continued to rise and invite fans globally since its launch in 2020. By incorporating 'gacha' and multicultural elements, it adds depth that makes for engaging gameplay, dominating the region.

How Genshin Impact opens a multicultural world for gamers

In recent years, esports has emerged as a multibillion-dollar industry, painting a promising future for a gaming league wanting to go pro. In South Korea, the ‘mecca of esports,’ a pro gamer, Faker, is showing the world why investing in esports fans and casual gamers can lead to marketing victory.

How T1’s Faker leads a global league of esports fans

The pandemic has altered various aspects of life, including how we travel. As international tourism in Australia is gradually returning to its peak, overseas visitors are emboldened by their desire to reconnect with loved ones and nature, signalling a shift towards travel that emphasises wellbeing.

International visitors want to restore and reconnect in Australia

Ralph Lauren has announced a limited-edition collab with one of China’s most influential online fashion figures, Mr.Bags. The global luxury brand is aiming to build long-lasting connections with Chinese consumers by adapting to the market nuances and partnering with a local influencer.

Ralph Lauren x Mr.Bags launches local-focused collab

DIRI is bringing expert knowledge to Malaysians with a localised spin on edutainment through the stories of successful personalities. The platform provides an alternative method of learning new life and career skills by tapping local inspirational figures to offer their nuanced teachings.

DIRI launches localised masterclasses in Malaysia

Beyond The Vines went from a homegrown Singaporean label to a coveted Southeast Asian brand with the help of social media and the TikTok boom. However, BTV learned that nurturing a strong brand following has its challenges. What can other brands learn as they communicate to the value-seeking Gen Z?

How Beyond The Vines built a cult following in Southeast Asia

Gen MZ drives consumer culture in Korea, and their love of all things ‘newstalgia’ (or ‘newtro,’ as the Korean media call it) has inspired trends since 2018. With global and local brands cashing in on their love for newstalgia, what strategies can help stand out in a rapidly saturated trendscape?

What is ‘newstalgia’ and why are young Koreans obsessed with it?

TikTok creators are using money earned from content to donate to aid in Gaza, all while sharing recipes and stories to spread awareness. These creators highlight how monetised online platforms can be leveraged for social and political causes while culturally engaging their audiences.

TikTokers share Palestinian family recipes to fundraise

People in the APAC region – particularly China – are re-discovering a sense of pride in their cultural heritage and traditions. This is resulting in an increasing number of affluent families opting for top universities in the region in favour of placements in the UK or US.

Families in APAC are opting for top local universities

Southeast Asian fandoms are independently organising events and activities to support their favourites. Still, brands could consider their significant desire for human connection by aligning with supporters' values and creating well-crafted narratives and collaborations with celebrities.

How are Southeast Asian fandoms growing and mobilising?

Southeast Asia is poised to become a global fashion hub, with Thailand as a source of fast fashion. This shift brought the Thai brand Gentlewoman to the worldwide scene, becoming an iconic and recognisable name for young Southeast Asian women and inspiring knockoffs internationally.

How Gentlewoman brings Thai fashion to Southeast Asians

Indian conglomerate Reliance Industries has inaugurated the country’s largest luxury shopping centre in the heart of Mumbai. As luxury brands rush to grab a slice of the pie in the lucrative market, harnessing experiential retail and meaningful localisation will be crucial for customer loyalty.

India heralds new era of luxury with Jio World Plaza

Though India is becoming a powerful gaming hub in the Asia-Pacific region, there’s still much left to be desired when it comes to local Indian stories in games. Raji: An Ancient Epic responds with a love letter to India’s rich culture, developed for PC, console, and recently, mobile through Netflix Games.

Why Raji turns Indian mythology into an immersive game

Starbucks has debuted its Intenso Collection in China, which doubles down on strength and comes in an elevated cup design. As China's interest in coffee grows, caffeine drinkers are looking for niche, strong, and culturally aligned coffee offerings, as well as a focus on premium products.


Starbucks leans into budding Chinese coffee culture

Colibri Jimenez is redefining Mexican food by upending stereotypes that Mexican food is always cheap, fast, or just about Tex-Mex tacos. Provenance has become a driving force in shaping how people consume food, underscoring the need to platform the richness and diversity of global cuisines.

Amplifying Indigenous flavours evolves tired food tropes

The gaming industry in Australia rose to a substantial AUD 226.5 million (about $144.2 million) in 2021. This growth can be attributed to an attractive tax incentive scheme, studio investment, and a diverse talent pool – all making Australia a potential tech front-runner in digital gaming.