Are Chinese women as meek as they’re often portrayed? (Tiger Mom stereotype notwithstanding, of course.) According to recent statistics, hell no.

As we pointed out in a blog post last week, women have become the main drivers behind the growth of the Chinese consumer market. They’re now responsible for more than half of all luxury purchases – who said women had to wait around for expensive gifts? These days, they see what they like and buy it for themselves.

As a result, Red Luxury notes, many female-oriented brands (i.e. Chloe, Burberry, Givenchy) are refocusing their marketing and expansion efforts on China. Prada is the latest company to join this pack – only it’s shining the spotlight on its more youthful sister brand Miu Miu.

Prada has found that Chinese sensibilities naturally gravitate towards Miu Miu’s feminine frills and attention-grabbing sequins. Just last week, Miu Miu hosted a glamorous bash in Shanghai, complete with a carefully edited guest list of young celebrities.

The event coincided with Prada’s announced plans to open Miu Miu stores at a faster rate in Asia than any of its other brands. By 2014, it hopes to double the number of outlets in Asia from 27 to at least 55. (Currently, there are only four stores in China’s mainland, none of which are in Beijing. Yet.)

Whereas Prada got its start in 1913, Miu Miu has only been in existence since 1993. Miu Miu’s lack of history seems to have little impact on Chinese consumers, though – Miu Miu currently accounts for 35 percent of Prada’s net sales across Asia. The Wall Street Journal explains that China’s young luxury shoppers – “unlike consumers in some markets where Miu Miu has been less successful – don’t remember the era in which the brand was overshadowed by the Prada label.”

Men needn’t feel too left out, though. According to Reuters, Hugo Boss – which turns out clothing for both men and women, but is best known for its sleek men’s suits – anticipates that the Chinese market will “drive double-digit growth in both sales and earnings this year.” In response, the German fashion house has unveiled a strategy to open up more stores. A lot more.

We say, bring it on. China's consumers are just about ready.

Photos: Factanddetails.com, Miu Miu