PanamaTimes

Friday, Mar 29, 2024

The definition of a successful Chinese woman? It’s wealth, not marriage

“Hide your bag if it’s not a Hermès.”: A recent study from research firm Bernstein has analysed how Chinese television shows have impacted female consumers in the country – it’s changing what it means to be a successful woman.

In Nothing but Thirty, one of the main characters was cropped from a picture for carrying a Chanel bag. A recent study has analysed how Chinese television shows have impacted female consumers in the country.

“Hide your bag if it’s not a Hermès.”

In a now classic scene in Chinese television series Nothing but Thirty, one of the main characters was cropped out of a group picture with a group of wealthy housewives at a social event. The reason? She was carrying a Chanel 2.55 flap bag, which costs around €4,000 (US$4,800), while the others came with Hermès Birkin or Kelly bags, which start at €10,000.

The character eventually won approval from the ladies, and subsequent business opportunities, after she bought a blue ostrich leather Birkin.

After that pivotal moment in the show went viral last year, it started a discussion on social media about people’s perceptions of Chanel and Hermès, long considered the two most prestigious luxury fashion and accessories brands.

A recent study by research firm Bernstein analysed how Chinese television shows have impacted female consumers in the country.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, China has experienced an unprecedented rise in prosperity during the past 40 years. “Chinese television series have evolved as a mirror of society, moving wealth and money to a centre stage position,” the study finds.

According to the report, the country has seen a rise in female consumers. Women started to dominate the market in 2018, accounting for 71 per cent of luxury consumption, with women aged 26-35 seen as the core group in the luxury market.

The researchers say this stems from the high proportion of women in the workforce in China. Their purchasing power has increased as they have received higher education and higher income. They are willing to spend money to reward themselves for hard work and personal accomplishment.

“[The luxury brands] serve the function of supporting people’s identity. Consumers buy luxury products because they feel they are elevating themselves by owning something which is special, exclusive and desirable,” the study says.


According to the report, China has seen a rise of female consumers.


Bernstein mentions that audiences not only look up to television role models for fashion advice, they also draw attitudes to their career and life from them.

Researchers have observed that television dramas in recent years have become more focused on wealth or materialism as the country has seen a switch in the definition of a successful woman– from “marrying well” to “be the architect of your own success”.

“Many of the female role models in Chinese television series in recent years have something in common: they are young, beautiful, well-educated and financially independent,” the researchers write.


Researchers believe consumption is a way for Chinese women to relieve their stress and anxiety.


A classic example of a role model would be a single woman who owns property as she has accumulated wealth through her well-paid job in the business field. She wears fashionable clothes from luxury brands and leads a westernised lifestyle as a gym-goer and salad lover.

Researchers believe that Chinese women face tremendous pressure as they try to meet society’s expectations of a successful woman. Elegance, beauty, marrying well and building a happy family must come together with a thriving professional life and career, making consumption a way for them to relieve their stress and anxiety.

The study also suggests that experiences, as opposed to material goods, are becoming more important. Activities including diving, skydiving and skiing are becoming increasingly popular.

Newsletter

Related Articles

PanamaTimes
0:00
0:00
Close
Apple warns against drying iPhones with rice
In a recent High Court hearing, the U.S. argued that Julian Assange endangered lives by releasing classified information.
Global Law Enforcement Dismantles Lockbit Ransomware Operation
Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny has died at the Arctic prison colony
The President of Argentina Javier Mile does not fly private, he flies commercial, with the citizens he represents. And they LOVE him for it.
Bitcoin Reaches $50,000 for First Time in Over Two Years
Belo Horizonte: Brazil's Rising Carnival Hotspot for 2024
In El Salvador, the 'Trump of Latin America' stuns the world with a speech slamming woke policing after winning a landslide election
Tucker’s interview with Putin is over 50M views on X within the first 5 hours.
Finnish Airline, Finnair, is voluntarily weighing passengers to better estimate flight cargo weight
President Nayib Bukele has proudly announced El Salvador's remarkable achievement of becoming the safest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Former Chilean President Sebastian Piñera Dies in Helicopter Crash
This farmer seems to understand science a bit more than the event organizer, Klaus Schwab.
Facebook turns 20: From Mark Zuckerberg's dormitory to a $1trn company
The Coolest Dictator in the World" on the Path to Victory in El Salvador
Macron, France and fake news
Indian-Origin Man 'King' Arrested For Smuggling $16 Million Drugs Into US
Can someone teach Americans that not every person with slanted eyes is Chinese?
Europe's Farmers Feeding the People, Protesting Against Politicians Who Do Nothing for Their Country and Serve Only Themselves at Taxpayers' Expense
Paris Restaurant That Inspired 'Ratatouille' Loses $1.6 Million Worth Of Wine
Brazilian Police Investigate Bolsonaro's Son for Alleged Illegal Spying
Police in Brazil Raid Residence of Bolsonaro Associate Over Allegations of Illegal Spying
Border Dispute Escalates as Texas Governor Vows Increased Razor Wire
OpenAI Enhances ChatGPT-4 Model, Potentially Addressing AI "Laziness" Issue
The NSA finally acknowledges spying on Americans by acquiring sensitive data
Report Reveals Toxic Telegram Group Generating X-Rated AI-Generated Fake Images of Taylor Swift
US Border Patrol States 'No Plans' to Remove Razor Wire Installed in Texas
Bitcoin Experiences Approximately 20% Decline in Value
Klaus Schwab recently appointed himself as the Earth's "trustee of the future."
DeSantis Drops Out, Endorses Trump.
Nikki Haley said former President Trump is "just not at the same level" of mental fitness as he was while president in 2016.
Residents of a southern Mexican town set the government palace on fire in response to the police killing of a young man
Samsung Launches AI-Driven Galaxy S24, Ushering in New Smartphone Era
Judge Questions SEC's Regulatory Overreach in Coinbase Lawsuit
The Ecuador prosecutor who was investigating the television studio attack, has been assassinated.
Is artificial intelligence the solution to cyber security threats?
Vivek Ramaswamy suspends his US election campaign and endorses Trump.
Viral Satire: A Staged Satirical Clip Mistaken as Real Footage from the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos
The AI Revolution in the Workforce: CEOs at Davos Predict Major Job Cuts in 2024
Ecuador Reports 178 Hostages in Prison Gang Standoff
The Startling Cuban Espionage Case That Has Rattled the US Government
Two Armed Men in Ecuador, Dressed as Batman and The Joker Storm the Streets.
Armed Gang Raids Ecuadorian TV Station Following State of Emergency Declaration
Anti-Democratic Canada: Journalist Arrested for Questioning Canadian Finance Minister on Support of Terrorist Group
Ecuador's 'Most-Wanted' Criminal Vanishes from Prison
Mexican Cartel Supplied Wi-Fi to Locals Under Threat of Fatal Consequences for Non-Compliance
Border Surge Leads to Over 11,000 Migrants Waiting in Northern Mexico
Outsider Candidates Triumph in Latin American Elections
As Argentina Goes to the Polls, Will the Proposal to Replace the Peso with the Dollar Secure Votes?
Fatal Shark Attack Claims Life of Boston Woman Paddleboarding Near Bahamas Resort, According to Police
×