How a 70-Year-Old Chinese Doctor Became the Face of Miu Miu’s Ageless Luxury Revolution
Miu Miu’s success in the fashion industry is remarkable. While many luxury brands are facing slowdowns in Europe and Asia, Miu Miu has reported impressive numbers. Retail sales grew by 58 percent in 2023, and an astonishing 82 percent in the fourth quarter alone. At the heart of this success lies a well-planned strategy, expertly executed by Miuccia Prada and her team. But what does this have to do with a 70-year-old Chinese doctor, Qin Huilan? Keep reading to discover how Miu Miu is leading an ageless luxury revolution.
Miu Miu, An Ageless Luxury Brand
Miuccia Prada quickly realised that fashion has not only become ageless but also increasingly genderless. According to the brand’s CEO, Benedetta Petruzzo, Miu Miu today aims to “speak to a universe of people.” It’s more about psychographics than demographics—attitude matters more than age. If you enjoy fashion and bring a youthful energy, Miu Miu is your brand, whether you’re 15 or 50.
You can see this approach in their runway casting. In the AW24-25 collection, Miu Miu featured Kristin Scott Thomas, 63, alongside Gigi Hadid, 28, and of course, the new sensation, Dr. Qin Huilan.
Who is Dr. Qin Huilan?
Qin Huilan is a 70-year-old retired doctor from Shanghai. She’s been married for 40 years and, until recently, had no connection to fashion. After retiring, she visited her son in Shanghai and began experimenting with his Prada and Miu Miu pieces. The rest is history. In fact, she shared her fashion journey in an Instagram post:
“Ever since my son helped me set up an Instagram account and showed me how to post and engage with others, it feels like I’ve stepped into a whole new world. Friends from all over have been leaving comments and likes, complimenting my outfits and sending lovely messages. Some fashion pages have even shared my photos, hoping more people can see me—a 70-year-old woman from Shanghai, China, who enjoys wearing Miu Miu and Prada.
Then one day, I received an invite from Miu Miu to attend their catwalk! It started with a direct message on Instagram and, within days, became an official invitation. Yes, it’s true—I was invited to walk in Miu Miu’s FW 2024 show!
I threw myself into the preparations, managing a busy schedule and relying on Google Translate to get through the language barrier. I was determined to show that age is never an obstacle.
I want to thank every member of the team for giving me this chance to push myself. And thank you to all the strangers in Paris who smiled and cheered me on.
So, to anyone feeling lost at any point—never give up on your dreams! Before I turned 70, I spent my life focused on my patients as a doctor. Who would have thought that at 70, I’d be here, walking down a runway? Come on, look! This is Paris! Look! This is Miu Miu’s runway! And look—this is 70-year-old Qin.”
In Short
Miu Miu has embraced ageless fashion, recognising that older and younger women often share the same passions—whether it’s art, travel, work, or even spirituality. In an interview, Dr. Qin Huilan mentioned that fashion and her love of beauty have brought her even closer to her son. Miu Miu’s ageless and wearable approach is proving to be a strong growth strategy, expanding the brand’s reach in the luxury market.
Our editors independently select all products featured on Notorious-mag. However, we may get a commission when you purchase some of our links.
Here are three ageless looks from Miu Miu AW24-25 that we love:
Image Courtesy @MiuMiu and @i_doctor_qin
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