Amid travel restrictions in China, a growing number of urbanites is finding escape in the countryside. The rural has transformed into an aspirational symbol amongst the well-off, shown by the rise of eco-tourism and people sharing their bucolic lifestyles on social media.

Five Seasons is a modern Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that’s bridging the realms of ancient medicine and modern psychoactive herbs. As New York’s legalization of marijuana comes into play, people are seeking out hybridized and alternate modes of wellness.

People are increasingly using style as a marker of their national and, in some cases, regional pride, with distinct design elements and unique production processes helping to elevate the value of provenance. This emphasis on origin is largely due to more progressive narratives around heritage and culture taking centre stage.

With the pandemic forcing people to spend closer to home and heightened geopolitical tensions shining a spotlight on national identity, it’s no surprise that local brands are thriving in China. But how exactly are companies playing up their heritage? And what does ‘made in China’ now imply?