Textile and Fashion in China: From Special Economic Zones to a Renewed Local Identity

This thesis focuses on the Textile and Fashion industry in China from the very start of its journey to the current state. The first section provides an overview of the shift from planned to a market-oriented economy, with a focus on the role played by the Special Economic Zones and the development of the Textile and Apparel sector. The second section contextualizes the ongoing challenges that the industry must face in this extremely dynamic scene, also analyzing the current domestic market opportunities, including the market size, the evolution of consumer behavior, and the preferred retail channels. The third section explores the dynamic change of the textile and fashion sector in China, also with reference to the new trends among the Chinese consumers, hence new emerging brands that leverage local craftsmanship. It will provide an overview of the new up-and-coming brands, their internationalization likelihood and in general the future of the sector.