Latest news with #Yao
Fashion United
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Inside Shein: An investigative report on the fast fashion giant's system
The system of the Chinese ultra-fast fashion supplier Shein is as successful as it is controversial. Commissioned by the Swiss magazine "Reportagen", Chinese investigative journalist Yinmi Yao travelled to China to find out how Shein's system works and how employees experience the company. In her report "China - Instant Fashion for the World: the Shein Machine" in the May issue of the magazine, she recounts the experiences of around 30 former Shein employees whom she interviewed for her research. She became aware of them through their comments about Shein on social media and was able to win them over for interviews. The company declined an official opportunity to speak with Shein about its working methods. Last straw for textile production in China Yao describes how Shein originally started in 2013 not as a fashion company, but as an IT company and search engine. Only years later did the company realise that it could use its knowledge of global trends to turn them into products using the new possibilities of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. This allowed for enormous increases in efficiency in fashion production in China. With its headquarters in Guangzhou, the long-standing mecca of fashion production in China, Shein was able to draw on a large number of local production facilities. It also benefited from the fact that the golden years of textile production in China were gradually coming to an end due to rising land prices and wages, and many companies were gradually relocating to Southeast Asia. The small factories that did not want to emigrate were therefore desperately looking for new clients. Yao writes: "Shein's rapid rise and expansion is a last straw keeping factories alive in manufacturing clusters like Tangbu West Village." Commissioning of factories is fully automated All Shein factories are connected to the Shein system and some produce exclusively for the fast fashion giant. "Which orders are assigned to individual factories, which deadlines are set, how everything works in detail - everything is decided by software. When a factory signs a cooperation agreement with Shein, the system assesses the first order based on the available lorries and workers, as well as comparable deliveries. The faster and better the order is completed, the better the next orders are; the more delays and quality defects, the more penalties are imposed. When a new order comes in, the software filters out the most suitable factory to assign the task," Yao continues. Immense speed in data-based product development The design of new products is similarly automated and at an enormous pace. "In the first month, Lucy No. two (five of the respondents gave their name as Lucy, hence the numbering) had to develop 90 new models and produce design drawings, collaborate on clarifying copyrights, confirm sample templates and select photo shoots. At that time, she could still afford to arrive at the office at 10am and leave promptly at 6pm. One month later, 90 models became 200. After another two weeks, the 200 models had become 386," Yao describes the product development process. Around 5,000 new designs go into production at Shein every day, initially only as small series of 100 pieces, but if the products sell well, more are added. Copyright infringements are automatically checked Since Shein relies almost exclusively on current fashion trends and best-selling products from other manufacturers, the risk of copyright lawsuits is high. Therefore, there is a separate department that deals only with this issue. Here, too, the software helps. Yao writes about Lucy No. one, who worked in this department: "The system pre-marks elements that may infringe copyright. For example, a T-shirt with a pattern that is eighty-five percent similar to a Gucci logo. However, the final judgement is made by a human because it is more reliable […]. The list of elements that infringe copyright comprised about 10,000 entries when she joined the company. Fourteen months later, there are already 70,000. They make up Shein's unique database, in which all experiences are stored." Based on this information, the designers make slight changes to avoid infringing copyrights. "This activity is about finding a balance between speed and risk. Nothing can go wrong, but the review can't be too strict either, otherwise it slows things down." The employee Yao spoke with had to check around 800 products on a normal day. But it could also be more. In summary, based on her interviews with former employees, the journalist describes a system in which digitalisation, automation and cost efficiency in clothing production have been taken to a new level. Collection development, creativity and innovation no longer play a role because the internet is used to evaluate in real time which products fashion customers worldwide want to buy at any given moment. At that moment, the only decisive factor is time, in order to launch the desired products on the market as quickly as possible. The fact that they are also unbeatably cheap further increases their attractiveness. The article "China - Instant Fashion for the World: the Shein Machine" by Yinmi Yao appeared in Reportagen magazine #82. The issue is available as a print edition from Puntas Reportagen publishers in Bern and on This article was translated to English using an AI tool. FashionUnited uses AI language tools to speed up translating (news) articles and proofread the translations to improve the end result. This saves our human journalists time they can spend doing research and writing original articles. Articles translated with the help of AI are checked and edited by a human desk editor prior to going online. If you have questions or comments about this process email us at info@
Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
LingoAce Expands Blended Learning as Its Fifth Ace Academy Learning Center Opened
SINGAPORE and NEW YORK, July 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- LingoAce, the global leader in online education for children with award-winning learning programs in Mandarin Chinese, English, and math, announced today that its in-person learning brand, Ace Academy by LingoAce (Ace Academy), is now up and running in five locations around the world—including Singapore, San Jose and New York (2 centers) in the U.S., and Melbourne in Australia. With the official operation of its fifth center, LingoAce is accelerating the rollout of its blended learning model, combining high-quality online instruction with localized, in-person learning experiences for students ages 4 to 15. Designed for Global Families, Built for Local Communities Since 2017, LingoAce has served over 400,000 families across 100+ countries and regions with high-quality Mandarin Chinese, English, and Math programs. In cities with high concentrations of multilingual and multicultural families, such as New York and Melbourne, the company identified growing demand for structured, immersive in-person learning options. Ace Academy was created in direct response. Designed for learners ages 4–15, each center offers immersive, small-group instruction in Mandarin Chinese, Math, and English Language Arts (ELA). The curriculum blends global academic standards with local cultural context, helping students thrive in multilingual environments while feeling seen, supported, and connected. Each center is more than a classroom, it's a trusted, family-first learning community that provides real social interaction, emotional support, and personalized attention beyond the lesson itself. Through a seamless online-to-offline experience, students benefit from consistent pacing, cohesive content, and a nurturing environment that supports long-term growth. Launched in 2021, Ace Academy has swiftly gained traction among families across multiple cities, earning a reputation as the leading choice for blended learning —powered by a strong curriculum, custom teaching systems, and a committed teaching staff. "Ace Academy is a key pillar of our blended learning strategy," said Hugh Yao, founder and CEO of LingoAce. "What we're building goes far beyond physical classrooms, we're creating a connected global network that brings immersive local learning together with the scale and flexibility of our online programs while cultivating warm, belonging–centered learning communities. This is not just part of our global business expansion, it's a continuation of our long-term commitment to global families." "Each Ace Academy will serve not only local learners, but also become a vital support hub for our online students, offering meaningful in-person engagement and a growing range of value-added experiences," Yao added. A Hybrid Learning Brand Rooted in Culture and Community Ace Academy emphasizes both academic excellence and cultural depth, supporting student development across languages, logic, and critical thinking. The Mandarin Chinese program is rooted in cultural heritage, helping students confidently speak, use, and express the language in cross-cultural contexts. Math and English Language Arts (ELA) courses further strengthen logic and communication skills, all delivered through an integrated, single-platform approach that reduces the burden of juggling multiple providers. Each lesson is crafted 200+ hours by LingoAce's global research teams, backed by a $60 million+ investment in curriculum development. The integrated design across linguistic, cultural, and cognitive dimensions guarantees a cohesive experience between online and offline formats, delivering seamless learning continuity. The results are already resonating with local families: "Ace Academy is the highlight of my daughter's week," said the parent of a student at the Great Neck, New York center. "She found a warm and immersive space where she feels understood, and with the teacher's support, she's made a real breakthrough in expressing herself and building confidence." "Having both online and in-person lessons really helped my son build his math learning momentum," said a parent from the Melbourne center. "He's more engaged in math, more eager to ask questions, and has made close friends, he absolutely loves coming to Ace Academy." Scaling Blended Learning, Center by Center Following the achievement of profitability and positive cash flow in 2024, LingoAce is entering its next growth phase. Over the past six months, several Ace Academy centers have established operations through aggressive site selection, opening, and enrollment, while drawing strong engagement from local communities. With each new location, LingoAce deepens its commitment to building an inclusive, scalable education ecosystem for the future of global learning. The company also plans to introduce a range of value-added, in-person services to complement its online offerings, including academic boot camps, cultural workshops, in-person assessments, and family events, further enriching the student experience. Learn more about Ace Academy: About LingoAce LingoAce is a global education technology company on a mission to make learning for kids more engaging, effective, and accessible through technology. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Singapore and has global operations throughout the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, and China. Backed by the world's top investors, including Peak XV Partners (formerly Sequoia India & Southeast Asia), Owl Ventures, Tiger Global, and Shunwei Capital, LingoAce has a roster of more than 5,000 professionally certified teachers and has taught more than 20 million classes to PreK-12 learners in more than 100 countries. In 2023, LingoAce was named to Fast Company's World's Most Innovative Companies list and the GSV EdTech 150 list of the world's most transformative edtech companies for the second year in a row. In 2025, LingoAce won the EdTechX Asia Pacific Award. Learn more about LingoAce:
Time Out
15-07-2025
- Time Out
UNESCO just announced 26 new World Heritage Sites
Listen up, everyone. UNESCO's new World Heritage sites just dropped. In efforts to identify, preserve and protect cultural heritage spots across the world, UNESCO, aka the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, crafts lists of World Heritage Sites that hold 'outstanding value to humanity'. These sites combine the preservation of human history, nature and culture, offering generations the opportunity to learn from the past, appreciate the present and create a better future, all while travelling to some astounding locations. And now, after the body's 47th session held this month at its Paris HQ, 26 new World Heritage sites have been added to the list. Among the newcomers are the Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape in Malwai, a curved and lush terrain in southeast Africa with one of the largest inselburgs (which are isolated rock hills) in the world, Mount Mulanje. According to UNESCO's description, the Yao, Mang'anja, and Lhomwe Indigenous peoples who live in Mount Mulanje's surrounding areas use rituals to honour the land's abundance and sacredness, reflecting the importance of spiritual and ecological harmony between people and nature. Germany's Bavarian Palaces of King Ludwig II also made the list this year, and have been open to the public, preserved as museums, since his death in 1886. Each a personal retreat for Ludwig, these palaces, Linderhof, Schachen, Herrenchiemsee and Neuschwanstein impressively blend the era's romantic architecture with the country's natural landscapes. Picture white castles rising from deep, green forests, alfresco fountains with mountainous backdrops and even an intimate stage built in a manmade cave called the Venus Grotto. Other new Heritage Sites include Italy's domus de janas, or 'fairy houses' in Sardinia, the Megaliths of Carnac and of Morbihan in France, the Minoan Palatial Centres of Crete in Greece and Gola-Tiwai Complex of Sierra Leone, consisting of the Gola Rainforest National Park and the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary. These are UNESCO's 26 new World Heritage Sites for 2025 Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection, Cambodia Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park, Brazil Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô, Guinea-Bissau Cultural Heritage Sites of Ancient Khuttal, Tajikistan Diy-Gid-Biy Cultural Landscape of the Mandara Mountains, Cameroon Faya Palaeolandscape, United Arab Emirates Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor, Malaysia Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas, Italy Gola-Tiwai Complex, Sierra Leone Maratha Military Landscapes of India, India Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, France Minoan Palatial Centres, Greece Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea Mount Mulanje Cultural Landscape, Malawi Møns Klint, Denmark Murujuga Cultural Landscape, Australia Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream, Republic of Korea Rock Paintings of Shulgan-Tash Cave, Russian Federation Sardis and the Lydian Tumuli of Bin Tepe, Türkiye The Archaeological Ensemble of 17th Century Port Royal, Jamaica The Colonial Transisthmian Route of Panamá, Panama The Palaces of King Ludwig II of Bavaria: Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, Schachen and Herrenchiemsee, Germany The Prehistoric Sites of the Khorramabad Valley, Iran (Islamic Republic of)) Wixárika Route through Sacred Sites to Wirikuta (Tatehuarí Huajuyé), Mexico Xixia Imperial Tombs, China Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, Vietnam
Eater
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Thoughtful Preparation Behind Kato's Michelin-Starred Tasting Menu
Kato, a Michelin-starred tasting menu spot in Los Angeles, represents intersecting immigrant communities across the city, specifically in the San Gabriel Valley, where chef Jon Yao grew up. The 2025 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: California prepares two tasting menus in his DTLA restaurant: a seasonal dining room version and shorter menu in the bar. First, Yao preps his recreation of Zī Rán Yáng, a cumin lamb stir fry dish from Northern China, with thick slices of aged lamb saddles cooked over a hearth and dusted with Kato's cumin spice blend. Rather than hoping for diners to have that Ratatoiulle moment, where the chef has created a dish that perfectly encapsulates a food memory from their childhood, Yao says he wants 'them to feel some sense of nostalgia regardless of what background they come from.' A day at Kato starts with morning sous chef Jivani Roldan prepping the dashi, a Japanese fish and kombu (dried seaweed) broth, by painstakingly shaving petrified skipjack tuna, cooking down the broth, and double straining it. Yao and Roldan check on the dozens of air-drying quail in the walk-in refrigerator, which Yao jokes is the same size as Kato's former kitchen in West LA. These quails are dry-aged, cured overnight, and air-dried for a few days before being coated in a maltose bath, lacquered in a sugar mixture, and lightly smoked before dinner service even starts. Yao believes all these small details in the process of prepping these dishes 'compounds' to create something extraordinary. Executive sous chef Alan Thau preps the crab, pulling all the meat out of the steamed shells with tweezers and then shining a black light over the crab meat to thoroughly check for any shells. Those crab shells are toasted in the oven and added to chicken stock, recreating the taste of shark fin soup, a delicacy in China and Southeast Asia, without having to use shark fins. Dry-aged sablefish is also prepped, cut down into 50 gram portions, and marinated in sour cabbage and mustard green broth, giving it a fermented flavor. Two hours before service, components of each dish are meticulously laid out on trays for Yao to taste, so he can make sure each sauce, custard, glaze, and prepped ingredient is ready for service. The kitchen has a complete turnover before service, with Yao talking through any adjustments to the menu and guest's dietary restrictions before the frenzy of plating the first course. Yao describes the 11 to 12 course menu as having 'pits and peaks throughout,' with plenty of starches and protein-filled courses throughout the meal. The quail is bathed in hot oil and baked in the oven and the sablefish is grilled and cooked in the hearth, before being plated. Diners leaving Kato should not only feel satiated but 'proud of their heritage,' Yao says. 'That's the beauty of fine dining right now. You get a lot of different stories and visions and opinions and perspectives. It's not so homogenous.' Watch the latest episode of Mise en Place to see how Yao and his team at Kato prepare crispy lamb, succulent quail, and seared sablefish at one of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles. See More:
Business Insider
29-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
New Buy Rating for Laopu Gold Co. Ltd. Class H (6181), the Basic Materials Giant
In a report released on June 25, Qian Yao from J.P. Morgan maintained a Buy rating on Laopu Gold Co. Ltd. Class H (6181 – Research Report), with a price target of HK$1,249.00. The company's shares closed last Friday at HK$877.00. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter According to TipRanks, Yao is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 20.2% and a 58.54% success rate. Yao covers the Consumer Cyclical sector, focusing on stocks such as ANTA Sports Products, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, and Shanghai Chicmax Cosmetics Co., Ltd. Class H. Currently, the analyst consensus on Laopu Gold Co. Ltd. Class H is a Strong Buy with an average price target of HK$1,054.00, implying a 20.18% upside from current levels. In a report released on June 27, Nomura also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a HK$1,023.00 price target.
