Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, and Burberry are testing the Chinese microblogging service Weibo to research their most promising market of the future from the inside.

The platform, which grows at 10 million users per month, has been attracting an elite of Western luxe brands over the past month, testing ideas for campaigns or other projects directly on their Chinese audience.

“You can immediately see how the market and your following will respond to something if you want to do research” said Leaf Greener, fashion editor of Elle China.

Internet users can now travel along the canals of Venice from the comfort of their own homes to prepare their trips, with a new website called veniceconnected.it.

The website is made up of 360-degree HD photographs snapped by a camera mounted on a boat travelling the length and breadth of Venice’s famous canals.

Travel suggestion site Wanderfly officially launched October 19, providing a new way for travelers to get trip suggestions when looking to plan their next holiday.

The site, which has already seen considerable praise from journalists and bloggers testing the service prior to launch, asks key questions about a trip to provide personalized recommendations of a destination.

Users must ask key questions about the amount that they want to spend, dates, holiday themes such as environmental credentials and nightlife and other preferences, before submitting their requirements.

Online designer store Net-à-Porter has finally confirmed the launch of a men’s division: Mr Porter will open in January, but you can already register online.

The site will launch for the S/S 2011 season, with an edited line-up which includes global designer labels and niche brands, as well as editorial and style advice.

Mr. Porter will feature brands such as Burberry, Ralph Lauren, YSL, Gucci, Margiela, Balmain, Margaret Howell, Rick Owens, John Lobband and Dunhill.

American Express has entered the private-sale travel market with a new website aimed at luxury travelers.

The new Vacationist.com is an invitation-only website featuring private sales and exclusive rates to members only.

The site launched on April 26 and is a partnership between Travel + Leisure magazine, an American Express publication, and Luxury Link, a luxury hotel website.

Global luxury giant Richemont said on Thursday it was buying up a pioneering 10-year-old web-based women’s fashion retailer, Net-a-Porter, founded by a former editor and valued at 350 million pounds.

The Swiss group already owns one third of the business, which was created by former fashion journalist Natalie Massenet and employs 600 staff in London and New York.

The deal will turn the website into one of the luxury goods company’s hallmark “maisons,” alongside standalone brands such as Cartier, Dunhill, IWC, Piaget and Van Cleef & Arpels.

Massenet will remain as chief executive and will invest in a Richemont unit being created to own the online business, the Swiss group said in a statement.