If you love China and fashion, you can find job opportunities in this field to experience life in the world's largest economy. Here's a handy guide to fashion job opportunities in China.
Why work in fashion in China?
The fashion industry has exploded over the last twenty years, and particularly over the last five. China has experienced a tremendous boom thanks to its large production of fashion products and to the emergence of creators The fashion world is now renowned (Guo Pei, Wei Hua, Lu Kun, Uma Wang...). Fashion has become the mirror of social status, and the Chinese population of the big cities sees branded pieces as a symbol of modernity. Young Chinese are particularly keen to experiment with different styles, and seek to stand out with quality pieces and strong brands.
China offers many opportunities in the fashion industry, particularly in the fast-growing luxury sector. Many companies are setting up in this country, which is world-renowned in the fashion sector. Beijing and Shanghai in particular stand out from other major Chinese cities in the luxury sector (fashion and cosmetics). China Fashion Week, created in Beijing in 1997, is a global event that attracts designers from all over the world. Since 2010, Shanghai Mode has given brands and designers the opportunity to develop and make their mark on the fashion landscape. Canton is also one of the most developed cities: a major textile hub, it concentrates a large number of luxury stores and attracts wealthy Chinese.
Fashion jobs in China
One third of the world's luxury consumers are Chinese. This market offers a wealth of job opportunities, particularly at management level: sales directors, technical sales representatives, managers... China appreciates French know-how, which, within a company in Shanghai, Beijing or Guangzhou, demonstrates a certain international openness. Job opportunities are also flourishing in import-export and customer-supplier relations. Marketing profiles are the most sought-after, especially in business schools. But fashion schools stand out for their fashion and business-oriented teaching, enabling them to promote and sell fashion products.
China is home to many Western companies eager to market their luxury goods. You'll have the opportunity to launch your own fashion brand: you'll need to understand the Chinese business culture, master English and, if possible, Mandarin, and find suppliers you can trust. As "Made in France" is renowned in China, there are job opportunities for entrepreneurs wishing to invest in the country. With experience and a good knowledge of languages, it's perfectly possible to working in fashion in China.
Do you dream of working in fashion? Find out with our quiz which fashion profession is right for you. I also invite you to consult the entire our specialized Fashion & Luxury courses.
