Post by : Shakul

Zhang Rongming, a former university lecturer from China, has built a remarkable business empire in the lingerie industry, amassing an estimated net worth of $770 million. His journey from academia to entrepreneurship highlights the role of innovation and market insight in building a successful global brand.

Before entering the business world, Zhang specialised in metallurgy and chemistry and worked as a lecturer at the Shougang Institute of Technology. During his academic career in the late 1980s, he developed high-performance coated blades, which brought him his first financial success.

A turning point came in the early 1990s when Zhang began researching shape-memory alloys—materials capable of returning to their original form after deformation. He identified their potential application in lingerie, particularly in underwire support, which was largely underdeveloped in China at the time.

Recognising a gap in the domestic market, where most lingerie lacked proper comfort and support, Zhang decided to commercialise his innovation. In 1992, he partnered with a struggling factory and raised around 800,000 yuan to begin production, focusing on high-quality materials and design.

In 1993, he officially launched Aimer on International Women’s Day. His products were priced at a premium level compared to the average income at the time, reflecting his strategy of prioritising quality and comfort over affordability.

The approach proved successful, and Aimer quickly gained popularity in Beijing, eventually reaching annual sales of over 1 billion yuan. The company later expanded into men’s and children’s wear and significantly broadened its product portfolio.

A major milestone came in 2021 when Aimer was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, becoming widely recognised as one of China’s first publicly traded lingerie brands. Today, the company operates more than 1,600 stores and holds over 400 patents, reflecting its strong focus on innovation.

Zhang also faced competition from global brands such as Victoria's Secret, which entered the Chinese market in 2017. However, the brand struggled due to cultural differences and eventually scaled back operations, while Aimer thrived by aligning its designs with Chinese consumer preferences for comfort and subtlety.

According to industry data, China’s lingerie market reached approximately 250 billion yuan (around $36 billion) in 2024, making it one of the largest in the world. Zhang’s success is often attributed to his ability to combine scientific knowledge with business strategy, as well as his understanding of local cultural trends.

His inclusion in wealth rankings such as the Hurun Rich List further underscores his achievement in transforming a niche idea into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.

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