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Children 's wear industry in Foshan: Industry - University - Institute cooperation to promote industrial upgrading
Foshan, Huzhou, and Dongguan are key centers in China's children's clothing industry, collectively accounting for about one-third of the global market. However, these industrial clusters are now facing a critical challenge: the need for industrial upgrading. Recently, Foshan City's Chancheng Central City Children's Clothing Industry Association held its general election, marking the official transition of leadership. Cao Yunfeng, the president of Calfit Garments Co., Ltd., has taken over as chairman.
According to reports from the association, Foshan's children's clothing sector has made significant progress in its transformation. Several key platforms for industrial upgrading have been completed, and foundational efforts are already in place. The goal is to elevate the industry to a higher level of development. Li Shaohua, Deputy Director of the Zumiao Street Office in Chancheng, emphasized that Foshan's children's clothing industry has evolved beyond just creating brand awareness through participation in national events like the China International Fashion Week and the China International Clothing & Accessories Fair. Now, the focus is on building its own platform to attract external attention and resources.
This self-developed platform includes a "Children's Fashion Creative Park," two centers—the "China Fashion Association Children's Clothing Development Center" and the "Foshan Chancheng Ring Children's Wear Innovation Center"—and three major events: the "China Children's Wear Design Competition," "National Children's Wear Design Competition," and the "Junior Chinese Children's Model Competition." These initiatives aim to mobilize local enterprises, bring in national resources, and position Foshan as a globally recognized hub for children's fashion.
Additionally, platforms such as production-research collaboration, brand incubation, and college student employment and entrepreneurship have already started operating. For instance, the introduction of the "Brand Industry Chain Strategic Alliance" in Foshan has helped connect local brands like Karl Fett with academic research, fostering organic cooperation between internal and external resources to maximize benefits and share risks.
Looking ahead, Li Shaohua stressed that Foshan's children's clothing industry must be guided by creativity and fashion, aiming to transform into a brand management hub. This shift will not only revitalize the industry locally but also enhance its global presence.
In recent years, industry-university-research collaborations have played a vital role in driving upgrades. At the 2009 National College Children's Wear Design Competition, many contestants were actively contacted by children's clothing companies, with medalists even delaying their return due to interest from enterprises. In response, the Foshan City Central City Children's Wear Innovation Center signed agreements with six leading clothing colleges nationwide. This partnership brings together innovation centers, enterprises, universities, and students to create a creative platform that supports the children's fashion industry, attracts resources, and accelerates R&D into market-driven products.
It also encourages professional design students to engage in children's clothing creation, helping universities cultivate new talent in children's wear design. This initiative strengthens the culture, creativity, and future of the children's fashion industry.