The increasing competitiveness of Chinese apparel in international market, there are still certain shortcomings noted. There is still not one single well-known brand in the world from China. Chinese manufacturers mostly make clothing for other countries in materials, sample and brand processing, which account for more than half of the total apparel exports.
China's garment production and exports have taken the first place in the world since 1994. Clothing yield increased from 670 million pieces in 1978 to 11.6 billion pieces in 2000, accounting for about 20 percent of the world market. Garment exports in 2000 reached US $36 billion.
According to the number announced by the EU recently, among the name list of textile and garment enterprises, whose sales exceeded $5 billion, not one is from China. Garment export value makes more than one eighth of the country's foreign trade, but not one independent brand could push its export value up to 0.5 percent of its total exports.
After joining the WTO, foreign brands want to enter Chinese market, while domestic brands wish to go abroad. Both sides should seek partners and close relationship through investment, purchase of capital and mutual penetration.
Currently, several international brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Armani, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Christian Dior, Versace, Fendi and Ferragamo have been generally accepted by Chinese people.
Meanwhile, Chinese brands, like 'Shanshan', 'Youngor', have also taken the advantage of their brands impact and good grasp of the terminal market to enter cooperation with international brands, like 'Pierre Cardin', 'Fario' and others, in the form of either becoming exclusive agents or jointly introducing new brands.
Fibre2fashion, News Desk - China
marketing@alchempro.com
