Tough strut from world's factory to fashion empire
Updated: 2016-03-25 13:56
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
NANCHANG - Che Yong wants to build his garment factory into a fashion empire like H&M, the Swedish clothing chain that has dominated China's young fashion street, but so far his designs have only gathered dust.
Che's company, Wansi Garment, produces thousands of shirts every year for overseas buyers, including a recent order which featured Disney cartoons.
Wansi is one of the 700-strong garment exporters at Luojiaji, a district in Nanchang city and a famous T-shirt export base in Central China. Luojiaji produces a third of China's exported T-shirts. It is little known to the Chinese public but is well-known among foreign buyers. Customers include Walmart, Starbucks and NBA-franchised firms.
In the past two years, factories at Luojiaji have been forced to reinvent themselves as profits were squeezed by soaring costs, few tax incentives, loss of orders, and appreciation of the Chinese currency yuan.
Che Yong also tried remodeling by building his own brand, but his decision has been met with challenges.
"No one knows my brand and no one comes to buy them," Che said, with a bitter smile. At least two million yuan (about $310,000) worth of clothes are stashed in storage.
"Luojiaji is very strong in manufacturing, but we have little experience in design and sales," he said. Last year, Luojiaji churned out 650 million pieces of clothes and hired about 70,000 workers.
"Most firms have started to sell clothes under their own brands, but no one is strong enough to establish itself in the market," he said.
Nonetheless, Che remains committed to his dream of a fashion empire. Swedish H&M has fared well in Chinese market thanks to its concept of fast changing collections of affordable clothes. Buyers queue up to pay at downtown H&M stores in Beijing. Other fashion brands like Spanish Zara and Japan's Uniqlo are also popular in China.
Che Yong is seeking partnership to build a chain like H&M in smaller cities. At Luojiaji, some firms specialize making round-neck shirt, some have original design in floral print, and some are good at making sturdy collars. "We shall pool our strength together, and build a chain like H&M or Uniqlo," he said.
Related Stories
Garment market near zoo closing, moving to Hebei province 2016-02-01 19:48
Garment firm shifts its focus to robotics 2015-12-19 08:11
Annual Garment and Textile Fair opens in Dalian 2015-09-22 14:47
Technology is more than a fashion trend for firms in garment city 2015-06-25 07:39
Victoria's Secret to open annual garment show in Dalian 2015-06-24 15:48
Wuxi garment tycoons on Forbes wealth list 2015-04-24 16:23
Today's Top News
President optimistic for Sino-German cooperation
Info sharing 'is key' as Europe faces terror threat
Uneasy times as Belgium mourns the dead
Belgian bombing suspect still at large: Prosecutor
Belgian media withdraws reports of suspect's arrest
Brussels bombers were brothers El Bakraoui
Chinese citizens in Belgium get help after attack
Europe ramps up security in wake of Brussels attacks
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
What makes the middle class tick |
One-stop app |
Minister rules out property market collapse |
Man on Mars? Chinese could be the first |
Accidental ballet star on the rise |
Great grains of China |