Kuo-Fang Yang-O'Connor

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Kuo-Fang Yang-O'Connor - I am interviewing my smart friends about their career and views in life.
- Making dishes from limited ingredients in my fridge.

Founder of Y+O Strategic Advisory —
Advising brands, founders and leadership teams on international expansion, brand positioning and cross-cultural strategy across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

20/10/2026

Fashion exec goes to AI conference
If you’re exhibiting and building AI solutions that could make this possible, invite me to your booth, let’s connect

20/10/2026

Shanghai .land new store

嫁得好很重要 就是我基本上為所欲為 但他覺得有去 哈哈哈哈 Happy anniversary ✨🤍
20/10/2026

嫁得好很重要
就是我基本上為所欲為 但他覺得有去 哈哈哈哈
Happy anniversary ✨🤍

How brands win their own market space. China Edition. 🇨🇳I’ve just come back from Shanghai and I’m still buzzing. I spent...
20/10/2026

How brands win their own market space. China Edition. 🇨🇳
I’ve just come back from Shanghai and I’m still buzzing. I spent October walking Fashion Week, the showrooms, West Bund, the French Concession, and more hours in the city’s best stores than I’d like to admit.
What struck me most? Winning in China isn’t so different from winning in London or New York. Shanghai just shows it bigger, bolder and with sharper contrast.
The brands doing it well, Chinese or global, all understand the culture and know their customer deeply. To Summer and Songmont are building real desire with no European heritage at all. Alo didn’t open in a park. It chose Zhangyuan, a beautiful heritage quarter, and the queue said everything. It’s the same instinct as Loewe taking Paula’s Ibiza to Ibiza, or Anya Hindmarch keeping London at the heart of everything she does.
And the bottom line? Beautiful product alone doesn’t sell. Story, place, curation and presentation are what turn attention into revenue.
I’ve put my field notes in the carousel. Swipe through, and save the five questions I’d ask before entering any market.
If you’re thinking about your next market, in China or anywhere else, I’d love to hear from you 🤍
[email protected]

18/10/2026

One of my new favourite spots in Shanghai — WESTBUND CENTRAL! 😻

Episode 1: SND’s newly opened flagship store.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Westbund Central. It’s a relatively new development, and I was curious why Hongkong Land would give such a prime location to SND, one of China’s most renowned multi-brand concept stores.

But once you visit, you get it. Such a smart collaboration!

Located along the Huangpu River, Westbund is fast becoming one of Shanghai’s most interesting luxury destinations.

With the West Bund Museum, exceptional restaurants, West Bund Dream Center and some of the city’s most desirable luxury residences nearby, the area is attracting exactly the kind of affluent, culturally engaged audience luxury brands want to reach.

And this is where brand mix, positioning and adjacency become so important.

SND’s new flagship sits opposite Songmont and, once Phase III opens, will be connected by a footbridge to an area housing major luxury brands, including LVMH maisons.

You’ll also discover brands such as To Summer, RECTO and Sea New York across the wider development.

And it’s not just about shopping.

After a rather hectic Shanghai schedule, I ended up spending two hours at Wander Jane. I could immediately understand why this neighbourhood is becoming so appealing to residents and visitors alike.

Great luxury destinations aren’t built by simply filling spaces with expensive brands. They’re built by understanding the audience, curating the right mix and creating a reason for people to stay.

Westbund Central gets that.

If you’re visiting Shanghai, put it on your list. I’ll definitely be back!

.land

18/10/2026

Amazing design, beautiful products but no buyers? Why?

17/10/2026

Still think China is just about manufacturing? Think again.

After 36 hours (2.5 days 60 hours 😂 ) at Shanghai Fashion Week, one thing really stood out to me: the creativity, craftsmanship and confidence of a new generation of Chinese designers.

China has a remarkable history of craftsmanship, from intricate embroidery to traditional textile techniques. Today, designers are reinterpreting that heritage through contemporary fashion, creating collections with their own identity, meaning and story.

It reminds me of how people travel to Savile Row to appreciate the art of British tailoring. Why shouldn’t we approach Chinese craftsmanship with the same curiosity and respect?

And to international brands that still hesitate to explore China or Asia, or dismiss the importance of local social platforms, I would ask:

Are you building a brand as a passion project, or are you building a business?

Not every market is right for every brand. But if international growth is your ambition, you cannot rely on assumptions from ten years ago.

A beautiful product and a compelling story matter. But understanding your customers, their culture and how they discover brands is what helps turn that story into a business.

The market has evolved. Has your thinking?

I’m Kuofi O’Connor. I’ve worked across international fashion and luxury markets since 2002, connecting brands, cultures and commercial opportunities.

Follow for the commercial thinking behind fashion and luxury.

I truly believe art is a form of expression in all aspects. Today I’m here to celebrate one of my most respected interio...
15/10/2026

I truly believe art is a form of expression in all aspects. Today I’m here to celebrate one of my most respected interior designers- Pierre Yovanovitch.
I’ve noticed Pierre’s nearly 10 years ago and started following his account during lockdown when we are planning our own house renovation.

And last night I met him IRL! 😍

Celebrating his book launch at Phillips!

When I visited his design gallery in 2022, this kitchen was the most instagramable work. I was pleased to witness the beauty and contract of colour here.

In his gallery, where I learned his appreciation of art, craftsmanship and obsession with artisan work with the best materials possible.

Pierre’s work is timeless. The image I took back in 2022, even when we see it today, it’s still as beautiful as elegant as ever.

This book is a gem.

And of course being in Phillips for me is just a rare moment so I took my time to walk through 3 floors.

Tracey Emin ✨

Actually I didn’t remember this artist - whoops - comment for me! Thank you 🙏

Loud and fun!

So happy I took another pic

I remembered I so wanted to order this chair as bear family when my second one was born ✨

I love seeing one’s handwriting, it’s expression of one’s artistic skill as how I judge it.
And of course Pierre’s is perfect.. ps it’s true if I receive a card or letter with bad handwriting, I do judge this person 沒文化 😹😅 (not as well educated nor artistic)
Ok you can judge me but I don’t care. My handwriting is pretty good.

Merci Pierre! And thank you for your team allowing me taking pictures with you.

09/10/2026

Before you launch your fashion brand, ask yourself WHY.

A beautiful product is no longer enough in a saturated market.

Your brand positioning defines your customer, pricing, distribution, marketing and ultimately, your commercial strategy.

Positioning first. Strategy follows.

I’m Kuofi O’Connor. Since 2002, I’ve been building and growing fashion and luxury businesses internationally.

Follow for more brand-building

Lately… 20k steps mostly One of my staples - perfect for us 40 something Probably 35k day 😂 Waiting for the job to land,...
07/10/2026

Lately… 20k steps mostly

One of my staples - perfect for us 40 something

Probably 35k day 😂

Waiting for the job to land, hello universe ✨

My heart ❤️

Brunch time is my busiest

I swear on ginger shots

My best secret number

When they get you, nothing is a trouble

My mermaid 🧜‍♀️

Another day, another outfit check

Yup 👍

Shoefie is the new selfie (forever)

Xoxo

With my bestie est 2002

My go-tos

Never wait for anyone

Thanks for the deliciousness! Can’t believe you delivered all the way to GU postcode!

Adresse

Paris

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