This spring a Chinese TV actor went viral for playing a battle-worn general in flawless makeup. The argument that followed maps the logic of China’s male beauty economy, and the blind spots European luxury brings to it.

In China, influencers with millions of followers have seen their accounts deleted overnight for flaunting their wealth. Beyond the authorities’ crackdown, this sudden halt reveals a deeper shift: amongst affluent consumers, the display of wealth is giving way to discretion, and luxury is moving from public spaces into the private sphere.

A new review of over a century of conspicuous consumption research finds that luxury status signals are shifting beyond logos, price, and exclusivity. Published in the Journal of Business Research (de Groot et al., 2026), the study highlights moral expression and personal values as emerging markers of distinction.

Kylian Mbappé is currently at the peak of his career. The player’s image is at the heart of a business model that earns him millions of euros a year off the field. The 2026 World Cup and the American public’s enthusiasm for the French international could pay off big for him.

The Rencontres de la Photographie draws the world’s elite of the photography world to Arles. In recent years, major luxury houses—from Louis Vuitton to Guerlain—have realized that the city is the only place in France where culture, money, and desire intersect without (almost) ever clashing.

Thirteen years ago, he was the first fashion designer from sub-Saharan Africa to be included in the Paris Haute Couture Week schedule. Once again this year, Imane Ayissi will present his Autumn-Winter 2026–2027 collection from July 6 to 9. It’s an opportunity to revisit his unique world, at the crossroads of haute couture and African textile traditions.

With the publication of the “2025 Sustainability Report”, Audemars Piguet has clearly set out its sustainability objectives, which the brand has supported with several commitments, including the phasing out of ruby sourcing and the allocation of 2% of its turnover to its two Foundations. Luxury Tribune was able to conduct an exclusive on-camera interview with Ilaria Resta, the brand’s CEO, about these developments.

Thanks to a targeted innovation and sustainability strategy, the Portuguese footwear industry is establishing itself as one of the most dynamic hubs in Europe. From leather to bio-based rubber, Portugal is paving the way for responsible and competitive production.

Lisbon Fashion Week, an event with strong growth potential and still little known, highlighted emerging talents to watch closely, whose focus remains primarily on sustainability, innovation and manufacturing know-how.

As COP 30 began on Monday in Belém, Brazil, the climate emergency also calls for rapid action to address the environmental impact of the textile industry. To this end, every year, the Textile Exchange Conference brings together all the players in the sector. This year, in Lisbon, Portugal, the theme was ‘Shifting Landscapes’.

The luxury hospitality industry recently appears to be making a decisive shift toward a more sustainable approach. Far from being a mere marketing strategy, these hotels – though still rare worldwide – are rising to the challenge of 360-degree sustainability.