Gucci’s Frida Giannini Marks Return to China with Ad Campaign

Creative Director of Gucci Frida Giannini marked her return to China with the launch of a new advertising campaign featuring Chinese star Li Bing Bing and two other exclusive events.

At the historic Wai Tan Yuan in Shanghai, Giannini hosted a cocktail in honour of Li Bing Bing where the new advertising campaign starring the Chinese actress was unveiled.

The 39-year-old actress is one of the biggest stars in the Chinese film industry. Born in Feb 1973, Li Bing Bing pursued her interest in acting after her graduation and joined the Shanghai Drama Institute in 1993.

Her film debut was Zhang Yuan's Seventeen Years (1999), which won her the best actress award in the 1999 Singapore Film Festival. In 2001, she starred in the television series Young Justice Bao, which propelled her to become one of the most famous actresses in China. That year she was awarded the title of one of the "Top Ten Best TV actors/actresses in China".

Since then, it has been a rollercoaster ride for the actress as she starred in a number of movies and television dramas.

"The fashion world in China is still very young and developing but with the help of these large brands such as Gucci coming in, it is influencing a lot of creativity that is here. I trust there will be influential Chinese designers in the future," Li told the Telegraph.

Dedicated to the house's handbags, jewellery and watches, the new Gucci campaign features both classic accessories from Gucci's tradition as well as new styles destined to become timeless pieces.

Following the unveiling of the campaign, Gucci hosted Giannini's first-ever fashion show in China at the Wai Tan Yuan. At the show, Giannini presented her critically acclaimed fall/winter 2012-2013 collection to 600 specially invited guests with celebrity attendees including Hilary Swank, Lapo Elkann, Bryan Ferry, Li Bing Bing, Yang Mi, Huo Si Yan, Chen Kun, Feng Shao Feng, Peng Yu Yan, and Wu Zun.

This was followed by a private party on the Rock Bund, the exclusive Gucci club which spans three floors and hosts distinctive themes within each lounge. Up to 800 guests entered the three-floor lounge, housed in a former bank in the up-and-coming Rockbund neighbourhood.

Visitors had the opportunity to view a display of Gucci Première evening gowns from the house's Florentine archive, including the couture dress worn by Hillary Swank at the 2011 Oscars ceremony.

Catch a glimpse of the new advertising campaign: