名牌 has two distinct meanings: 'famous brand / designer' (名牌包, designer bag) and 'name tag / name plate' (门上的名牌, nameplate on a door). In daily conversation, it usually means designer/luxury.
culture
名牌 culture is huge in China. Young professionals often use 名牌 products as status symbols. The phrase 名牌效应 (míngpái xiàoyìng) describes the brand-name effect on consumer behavior.
