The local couture brand that Peng Liyuan has recently been seen wearing has drawn great public attention as she accompanied Xi Jinping in his first state visit as Chinese president.

President Xi began his trip with visits to Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and Congo on March 22. Several Weibo users recognized the dresses his wife wore were from a Guangzhou-based designer brand. It was confirmed on March 27 by the brand's official statement, saying that the dresses were specifically designed by the brand's creator, renowned Chinese designer Ma Ke, and made by her team.

The statement also stated that the first lady had loved the brand for years, and the dresses were not openly on sale.

Local media reported that the brand's stores in Guangzhou have been crowded with customers in the past few days as a result. Items similar to the handbag Peng carried, also from the same brand, were sold out. They are limited edition made of sheepskin, priced at over RMB 5,000. The other handbags of the brand cost about RMB 4,000. The clothes are also priced high – from RMB 1,500 to RMB 1,900 for a sweater and about RMB 900 for a blouse.

The replicates of the dresses and handbags have become very popular on shopping websites as well. The handbags are sold at RMB 49 – 500, with introductions suggesting they look the same as the one Peng carried. A woolen coat looking like Peng's will cost RMB 189 on the internet. It already has 10 buyers and about 1,000 viewers.

Media officer of the brand Tan Jiayi told local media that the company expected the public to show more attention to the Chinese designer clothes and Chinese clothing brands.