Breaking down barriers

Li Jun, dean of Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation at Donghua University, said China has long been a global leader in the textile and clothing industries.

The trend of going global has been on the rise since two years ago, with many industries starting to expand overseas in large numbers, said Li, adding this shift has been driven by changing market demands and international dynamics, which marks a departure from traditional passive expansion.

Despite remarkable achievements in recent years, Chinese designers still face numerous challenges in their global expansion efforts.

Li said the international fashion market values innovation and operates in cyclical cultural trends. Chinese culture encounters challenges in connecting with Western markets, while Chinese designers often lack in-depth knowledge of local markets and cultures.

For instance, the Southeast Asian market presents distinct body shape variations compared with China, Li said.

Additionally, successful global expansion requires more than just finished products. It needs thorough exploration of overseas markets and established infrastructure support to ensure high-quality and low-risk expansion.

He said local designers need a global mindset, adding many are lacking in this area. Innovation is paramount and should be universally applicable and appealing, driving industry advancement, he said.

Li Yushan from Pronounce, said Chinese designers need to create sophisticated products that resonate with Eastern tastes. We must understand the importance of consistency, rather than relying on gimmicks, he said.

Working together   

The Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation promotes cultural innovation. Its equality, diversity, inclusivity philosophy aims to cultivate students' cross-cultural understanding and design capabilities.

As a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution, we prioritize cultural innovation and study local cultures, such as Shanghai-style and Jiangnan culture. Simultaneously, we need to have a global perspective to meet the needs of global customers, said Li Jun, the college dean.

Established in 2014, the school was jointly established by Donghua University and Scotland's Edinburgh University with the aim of creating first-class creative fashion disciplines, and cultivating industry talent for China and overseas.

Li highlighted the importance of close collaboration between enterprises and educational institutions. For instance, the partnership between Donghua University and Ningbo Cixing Co resulted in the launch of a knitting innovation course, enabling engineers and designers to look at new production methods in machinery and materials. The course greatly improved the speed and efficiency of production and manufacturing.

It presents a breakthrough in engineering and technical advancements, Li said, noting that China is the global leader in customized production.

Global customers can choose suitable clothing patterns according to body-type databases and quickly customize personalized requirements, he explained.

Various platforms in the fashion industry are actively supporting brands in their global expansion efforts.

Chinese fashion platform Labelhood and London-based luxury department store Harrods have collaborated to host Chinese New Year pop-up stores, showcasing the works of Chinese designers and facilitating their entry into the international market.

This year's pop-up store featured a selection of New Year-themed pieces and handcrafted artifacts from over 20 emerging Chinese artists and brands.

Looking ahead, the prospects for Chinese designers' global expansion are promising, said Li, the college dean.

In the next five to 10 years, China's fashion industry will, like the electric vehicle industry, take technology as its core competitiveness, achieve rapid commercial transformation, and benefit the world, he said.

资料来源｜《中国日报》3月7日

图文编辑｜He Qi