Women's skirts

	Hangzhou Topstar offers model SK-041, which is made of organza and cotton. It has a zipped side closure.

Designs run the gamut from plain to blended-fabric, A-line to high-waist and sequined to embroidered versions.

China suppliers of skirts are turning to a diverse range of materials, styles and embellishments in order to offer buyers a wider selection.

The latest releases come in microfiber, wool, cashmere, and synthetic and genuine leather. Other types of fabric that remain popular are polyester, nylon, cotton, rayon, acrylic, denim, viscose, ramie, linen, silk, velvet and suede.

Spandex is added in a few models for better stretch and comfort.

Fabric blends, including polyester-cotton, nylon-cotton, wool-polyester and linen-viscose, are employed as well.

Skirts are available in a range of lengths, from mini to ankle-reaching designs.

Styles vary to suit different body types. A-line, pencil, tube, flared, frilly petticoat, pleated, ruffled, box and high-waist versions are offered.

For enriched aesthetic appeal, prints and embellishments are incorporated.

Although most products come in plain colors of white, black, brown, gray, blue, red and purple, companies are introducing models with overall-printed patterns, typically in floral and leaf motifs.

Some releases feature striped designs, while a few have dip-dyed effects. The latter type is sent mostly to Africa.

Plaid skirts in black and white, black and red, and blue and yellow combinations are also popular.

New products feature trimmings such as sequins, shells, beads, lace, applique and satin bowknots.

In addition, models are enhanced with floral embroidery on the waist and hem, and fabric or leather belts.

Denim skirts with a sandblasted finish are also a trend.

Besides improving visual interest, suppliers are fitting in functional detailing, which includes buttons in front, and side and back pockets with a zipper, flap or D-ring fastener.

Products have elasticized waistbands and drawstring closures.

Ordinary zippers are replaced with invisible types, while hook-and-eye fasteners are used as a substitute for plastic buttons because they are more durable.

China is home to about 10,000 skirt manufacturers, 50 percent of which have direct export capability.

About 80 percent of makers are private companies and the rest are state-owned or foreign-invested.

Because of the global economic slowdown, the supplier base has decreased in the past year. Some small manufacturers have closed down while a few have focused on the domestic market instead.

According to customs statistics, the country exported more than $1.5 billion worth of skirts from January to October 2008.

The Asia-Pacific region was the largest market, followed by the EU and North America. The highest demand came from Japan, the UK, Germany and the US.

More than 80 percent of China’s shipments originate in the provinces of Jiangsu, Guangdong and Zhejiang, and Shanghai.

Jiangsu is the biggest exporter, sending abroad more than $383 million worth of skirts in the first 10 months of 2008. Most suppliers in this location are locally owned and offer low-end and midrange models.

Guangdong is the next major source of the line, with shipments amounting to about $382 million in the same period. The province’s manufacturers are concentrated in the cities of Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Another key hub is Zhejiang, which exported approximately $354 million worth of skirts. Production is centered in Hangzhou, where there are about 1,000 makers offering mainly silk and linen models.

Shanghai shipped nearly 30 million skirts, valued at more than $192 million, from January to October 2008. Makers in the area target the midrange and high end.

Small companies with fewer than 300 workers have a monthly capacity of 5,000 to 30,000 skirts.

Midsize suppliers have up to 500 employees and can produce between 30,000 and 80,000 pieces each month.

Embroidery is done in-house, while printing and dyeing are subcontracted to specialists.

Large makers with more than 500 personnel have a monthly capacity exceeding 80,000 skirts. They carry out embroidery, dyeing and printing at their own factories.

Raw materials are domestically procured. Zhejiang is the main source of yarn, while Shandong, Henan and Xinjiang provinces are for cotton. Silk comes from Sichuan province and Shandong, and Belgium-made linen from local distributors.

Although most companies are OEM-oriented, several of them do not rely solely on buyers' specifications in product development. A few have an in-house R&D team composed of about five designers and sample makers. Efforts are geared toward embroidered patterns in solid or multicolor versions.

To stay abreast of trends, manufacturers are subscribing to industry publications and conducting online research.

For QC, inspectors are usually assigned in each production step, from checking incoming raw materials to assessment of finished products for final packaging.