In the early 1990s, China's domestic garment industry visibly lagged behind Western countries in multiple aspects. Whether in terms of technical proficiency, raw material quality, brand management, or marketing strategies, a significant gap existed compared to the West. During that period, our apparel industry was primarily concentrated on manufacturing low-end products, earning it the label of the "world's factory." However, this was not a commendation, but rather a description of our industrial reality, implying that we were limited to grueling, unrewarding work with razor-thin profit margins. To stand out in the high-end product sector and carve out a slice of the market share dominated by Western nations was as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Even if we successfully breached the international market and stepped abroad, we would merely be engaging in fierce price wars with competitors in overseas low-end markets, remaining hard-pressed to truly touch the core domain of high-end products.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Weiguo's thinking proved entirely different from everyone else's. He resolutely insisted on taking his products to the Paris fashion exhibition—a move that undoubtedly meant launching a powerful challenge against the world's top fashion brands. Outsiders might find it difficult to fathom the deeper meaning behind this, but Zhang Fan, who had been battered and tempered in the garment industry for many years, instantly grasped the subtle implications.
"Chairman Xi…
Chapter 469