Brief
Shanghai designer Mark Gong rides $1 million surge after Blackpink star wears his tee
The 28‑year‑old’s label sees rapid growth, a new flagship store and plans for a 2027 runway show.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Mark Gong, a 28‑year‑old Shanghai‑based designer, says his business hit roughly $1 million in annual revenue after Jennie of K‑pop group Blackpink was photographed in his dog‑print T‑shirt on 24 February 2025, according to Vogue.
What happened
Gong recalls the moment at 3 pm on that February afternoon, when he learned of the photo. He immediately ordered an extra 500 units from his supplier, but all pre‑orders were filled by the time he returned from a barbershop that same day. He then decided to scale up to 2,000 shirts. The shirt, featuring six dachshunds wearing pearl necklaces, ultimately sold 30,000 units, accounting for about 35 % of his brand’s turnover.
What the report adds
Gong’s label, stylised as Markgong, employs around 17 full‑time staff and six freelancers handling pattern‑cutting, embroidery, supply‑chain and finance. He notes that direct‑to‑consumer sales make up 60‑70 % of total revenue, while online sales are hard to quantify because of China’s high return rates, which can reach 70 %.
What was said
Gong told Vogue, “If you’re a designer here in China, you’re not just a designer, you’re a business person. You have to be a boss.” He added, “I was freaking out” when he learned of the Jennie photo, and later said, “We’re probably going to be up until 6 am” on the eve of his Spring/Summer 2027 show at Shanghai Fashion Week.
How it came about
After graduating from Parsons School of Design in New York, Gong launched his brand there in 2018, then moved operations to China during the Covid pandemic in 2020. In August 2025 he opened his first flagship store in Shanghai’s IAMP Mall in partnership with incubator Labelhood, and also opened a Tmall storefront owned by Alibaba. The store is intended to showcase higher‑end pieces beyond the best‑selling tees, such as pastel puffy dresses and embroidered garments, which have become popular since the shop opened.
Key facts
- Mark Gong’s dog‑print T‑shirt sold 30,000 units after Jennie of Blackpink was photographed wearing it. (vogue.com)
- Annual revenue of the Markgong label is around $1 million, with 60‑70 % from direct‑to‑consumer sales. (vogue.com)
- The brand employs about 17 full‑time staff and six freelancers. (vogue.com)
- Gong opened a flagship store in Shanghai’s IAMP Mall in August 2025, partnered with Labelhood and also sells on Alibaba’s Tmall. (vogue.com)
- The Spring/Summer 2027 collection will be shown at Shanghai Fashion Week, marking the brand’s 10th runway presentation. (vogue.com)
Sources
- [1] vogue.com — originally reported as “Shanghai Designer Mark Gong’s Million-Dollar Moment”
