In Asia, luxury brands are redefining cultural engagement through immersive experiences — and Prada’s new restaurant in Shanghai is a standout example. Curated with filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, Mi Shang blends dining, design, and storytelling to connect with local audiences on a deeper level. As luxury moves beyond products, success lies in cultural sensitivity, emotional resonance, and delivering a brand universe people want to spend time in.

A Masterclass in Cultural Collaboration

Globally, luxury brands are facing a new reality shaped by tariffs, market shifts, and rising consumer caution. As China slows and the U.S. becomes less reliable, Southeast Asia emerges as a strategic focus. Success now depends on localisation, retail excellence, and deep cultural understanding. In this climate, brand growth isn’t just about presence — it’s about resonance, relevance, and building trust through every touchpoint.

A new wave of tariffs. What’s next for luxury in Asia?

In this episode, I share my reflections from the Singapore Yachting Festival — where superyachts meet super-luxury lifestyles. From the region’s growing appetite for yacht ownership to unique design preferences of Asian clients, I explore what makes Asia’s yachting scene so dynamic. Plus: why this matters for luxury brands, and what’s next for HNWIs in the region.

Yachting: The Ultimate Lifestyle Statement.

Singapore at 60: A Brand Story Like No Other. This episode reflects on what makes Singapore one of the most admired nation brands in the world. From “the little red dot” to a global benchmark in trust, quality, and connectedness — Singapore’s brand journey is a masterclass in storytelling, strategy, and delivery. What can luxury brands learn from it? And why is trust the true currency of brand value today? Tune in and get inspired by one of Asia’s strongest brand stories — just in time for SG60.

Singapore: A Masterclass in Nation Branding

India’s Luxury Leap: From ‘Next’ to Now'. This episode dives into India’s extraordinary rise as a luxury powerhouse. No longer a future bet, India is a current force — with global brands racing to meet demand across cities and sectors. What makes this market so dynamic, and why is localisation the real unlock? Tune in to explore India’s luxury transformation — through data, strategy, and a few unforgettable moments on the ground.

India’s Luxury Leap: From ‘Next’ to Now'.

Bentley in Asia: From Performance to Personalisation
In this episode, we explore how Bentley is redefining luxury under new CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser — with a strategy rooted in substance, not slogans. From hybrid launches at Auto Shanghai to bespoke fleets in Macau and a growing Bentley Home presence in China, the brand is aligning with Asia’s shift toward quiet confidence, design precision, and emotional performance.

Bentley is rewriting its Playbook.

Luca de Meo joins Kering – what can luxury learn from automotive?
A surprising move, but maybe exactly what Kering needs. With experience turning around brands like Fiat and Renault, de Meo steps into a struggling luxury giant. In this episode, I share my personal impressions from meeting him—and why operational excellence matters more than ever, especially in Asia.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲...

Ultra-luxury just shifted gear. Bugatti Residences in Dubai lists a 2-bed at USD 5.2 m and a sky-mansion at USD 204 m — a 39× spread that turns property into a brand trophy. In this quick brief I unpack the car-lift perks, the loyalty logic, and the rising wave of Porsche, Aston Martin, and Bentley homes and ask if Asia is ready to live inside its favourite marques.

Would you live in a Bugatti?

Trust in Luxury: Lessons from Louis Vuitton Hong Kong
In this episode, we explore why trust is the most valuable currency in luxury—and what happens when it’s lost. Following a major data breach at Louis Vuitton Hong Kong, we unpack how emotional safety, data protection, and client confidence have become key parts of the luxury promise in Asia. From CRM protocols to frontline behaviour, trust is no longer optional—it’s the new differentiator.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆.

Blacklane: Beyond the Ride—Scaling Premium Mobility Globally
In this short breakdown, I explore how Blacklane built a global platform for premium chauffeur services—from asset-light execution to full-service concierge. This case study provides insights into platform thinking, brand control, and customer experience at scale. Plenty of inspiration here for luxury brands rethinking what their customers truly need—before, during, and after the sale.

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗿. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲.

Exploring ‘Luxury in Asia’—market trends, consumer behaviour, and industry insights.

I’m Matthias Weiskopf, a luxury retail professional with over a decade of experience in the automotive industry, specialising in Asian markets. With expertise in luxury management, customer-centric strategies, and digital business transformations, I offer a global perspective on how luxury adapts to new consumer expectations and technological shifts.

This channel features audio versions of my posts, sharing insights on luxury trends, market dynamics, and innovations in the Asian luxury sector.

A new wave of tariffs. What’s next for luxury in Asia?

'Luxury in Asia' by Matthias Weiskopf