Many of the world’s most glamorous and expensive brands outsource their manufacturing to China—yet the final price tag often reflects a markup of over 50 times the actual production cost. In some cases, the product you’re buying for £2,000 or even £20,000 may have cost less than 2% of that price to produce in a Chinese factory.
While brand image, marketing, and retail overheads play a role, the real work—cutting, sewing, assembling, and packaging—is often carried out in the industrial cities of Guangdong, Shenzhen, or Hangzhou. Below is a curated list of major global brands that manufacture their goods in China.
👜 Luxury Fashion & Accessories
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Prada – Accessories and garments, especially for Asian markets.
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Burberry – Some trench coats, scarves, and bags.
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Coach – Leather handbags, wallets, and belts.
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Michael Kors – Luxury accessories and watches.
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Hugo Boss – Select clothing lines and accessories.
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Furla – Premium leather goods.
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Balenciaga – Footwear and ready-to-wear items.
👟 Sneakers & Sportswear
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Nike – Shoes, apparel, and bags.
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Adidas – Footwear and clothing lines.
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Puma – Trainers and sportswear.
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Under Armour – Performance wear.
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New Balance – Production in both USA and China.
💄 Beauty & Cosmetics
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L’Oréal – Products for global export.
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Estée Lauder – Manufacturing and packaging.
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MAC Cosmetics – Several popular product lines.
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Clinique – Skincare items for Asia-Pacific.
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Revlon – Makeup and haircare.
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Sephora (in-house) – Cosmetics and brushes.
📱 Electronics & Tech
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Apple – iPhones, iPads, and accessories via Foxconn.
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Samsung – Smartphones and components.
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Sony – Televisions and audio equipment.
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Philips – Appliances and lighting.
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Dyson – Production of vacuums and hair tools.
👕 Mid-Range Fashion Brands
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Zara – Trend-based clothing and shoes.
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H&M – Mass-produced fashion.
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Uniqlo – Everyday essentials and outerwear.
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Levi’s – Jeans and jackets.
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Gap – Adults and children’s apparel.
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Banana Republic – Smart-casual collections.
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Old Navy – Family-oriented basics.
🕶️ Eyewear Brands
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Ray-Ban – Select models and components.
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Oakley – Sports eyewear and lenses.
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Gucci Eyewear – Manufactured under licence in China.
⚠️ The Truth Behind the Label
Consumers may associate “Made in China” with low cost, but what’s less understood is that the craftsmanship is often on par with European facilities, especially when directed by luxury brands themselves. The only real difference is the brand perception—not the hands that made the product.
When a £2,000 bag costs £40 to produce, the story isn’t about materials. It’s about marketing, branding, and exclusivity—and a new generation of Chinese manufacturers is no longer staying silent about that.
