The products are not designed or manufactured overseas and are little known outside the mainland- despite being promoted as foreign.
But to the growing ranks of fashion-conscious mainlanders, Gimo Renzi and Kaltendin were the embodiment of international high fashion until a China Central Television expose last week dismissed them as fake global fashion brands.
The CCTV report highlighted shady marketing strategies used by many mainland businesses to project their made-in-China products as international names.
Analysts said the popularity of such products among notoriously brand-conscious mainland consumers underscored a deep-rooted blind faith in foreign brands and the credibility crisis faced by domestic businesses.
Incidents such as the 2008 melamine-tainted baby formula scandal, which left at least six children dead and nearly 300,000 ill, have shaken consumer confidence in domestic products.
The promoters of Gimo Renzi, who claimed it was an Italian fashion house, have opened more than 40 outlets in upmarket department stores in major mainland cities - including at least four in Beijing.