China's silk industry had entered a crucial phase of upgrading instead of just quantitative expansion. It seems it was necessary to start selling cheap products before being able to move on to fine ones and thus step onto the globle fashion stage. The best way to leave the cheap market behind is to transform business models, optimise the export product mix, build brands and increase added value.
Silk was first developed in early China, possibly as early as 6000 years BC and definitely by 3000 years BC. Silk rapidly became a popular fabric in the many areas accessible to Chinese merchants. Because of the high demand for the fabric, raw silk and silk fabric are staples of China’s trade prior to industrialization. For quite a long time, China's silk exports have been successful due to large quantities and low prices. Low value-added products with similar designs have intensified competition in recent years.
In order to solve this problem, China Textile Information Center (CTIC) and China Textiles Development Center (CTDC) join hands with High Fashion (China) Co., Ltd. to develop China Silk Fashion Trend Research & Forecasting program, vigorously pursuing the concept of fashion trend research, product innovation, chain integration and shaping China new silk as key perspectives of China's silk industry policy. Recently, Ms. Robin, reporter of TA Weekly had an interview with Linping, president of High Fashion Silk (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. and Fei Jianming, vice chairman of High Fashion (China) Co., Ltd.
Robin, TA Weekly: Could you tell us what concept lies behind this program and its want effect it is expected to have?
Fei Jianming: As a participant of the program, High Fashion (China) specialized in dyeing and printing of various textile products. The Company has over 8 associates such as garment factory, High Fashion Garment Accessories, Hangzhou Mayway Limited, High Fashion Imports & Exports Limited and others. The Company has been expanding and diversifying its business profiles and promoting its exports for more than thirty years. As National Silk Product Development Base under the leadership of CTDC, High Fashion (China) also pays priority attention to the development of performance of China silk products and revival of silk industry.
Working in Partnership with CTDC, an authority in fashion fabrics, China Silk Fashion Trend Research & Forecasting program will make qualified business be urged to upgrade their technology and undertake innovations in techniques and designs and then resume the past glory of China silk industry. The program is proceeding from researching domestic demand, color application, characteristic of knit fabrics, woven fabrics, home textiles and garments etc. As National Silk Product Development Base, High Fashion (China) is prepared to cooperate with the organizations in its mission to release fashion trend by its products.
Robin, TA Weekly: How would you describe the status quo of High Fashion (China) and your strategic plan for the Group?
Linping: Based in China mainland and Hongkong, High Fashion (China) specializes in design, printing & dyeing, producing silk woven & knitting fabrics in different specifications and products marketing. It has an annual production capacity of 20 million meters of dyeing fabric, 10 million woven fabrics, 1200 tons of knit fabrics, 10 million pieces of woven garments as well as 5 million pieces of knit garments. The main group-owned brands are THEME and AUGUST SILK as well as Robin Howe which is wholly designed and produced by High Fashion (China) and sales well in America.
High Fashion Silk (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of High Fashion Group (located in the city of Hangzhou) is located in Xinchang, Zhejiang, specializeing in producing silk fabrics, silk home textile products and silk yarns, including pure yarn-dyed silk products, stretch products, heavy-weight crepe, heavy-weight GGT products, interweave products, jacquard and so on.
Based on Innovation and Personnel it's the idea of High Fashion Group employees to innovate and create new opportunities for the company. Every year, the group has two annual proseminars for developing new products and sends a team of designers to participate in domestic and overseas exhibition, such as Intertextile Beijing, Beijing Yarn Expo, French PV exhibition and American Magic Exhibition. Designers of the group have also the opportunity to access to a twelve-month training program every year in UK. As the silk base of the group, High Fashion Silk (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. annually produces 4000 kinds of new knit and woven fabrics. Especially for this year, Yarn Dyed Stripe Satin, double-faced silk, wool twill, corded fabric, silk / bamboo blended fabric, jacquard 320CM and doupion silk which has been created this year got great feedback.
Moreover, High Fashion Silk (Zhejiang)’s expansion of 10 million square meters at a cost of RMB 200 million is nearing completion.The leading international Silk Women's Garment Base in which High Fashion (China) is investing a total of RMB 600 million is expected to demonstrat the sophistication of China's silk culture and create a positive economic impact.
