Conference article

Salability of Chinese Apparel in Japanese Department Stores

Masayuki Takatera
Division of Kansei and Fashion Engineering, Institute for Fiber Engineering (IFES), Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research (ICCER), Shinshu University, Japan

KyoungOk Kim
Division of Kansei and Fashion Engineering, Institute for Fiber Engineering (IFES), Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research (ICCER), Shinshu University, Japan

Chunhong Zhu
Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Japan

Tsuyoshi Otani
Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Japan

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Published in: KEER2014. Proceedings of the 5th Kanesi Engineering and Emotion Research; International Conference; Linköping; Sweden; June 11-13

Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings 100:46, p. 555-565

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Published: 2014-06-11

ISBN: 978-91-7519-276-5

ISSN: 1650-3686 (print), 1650-3740 (online)

Abstract

To better understand the reasons for the salability of clothing now designed and sold in China and Japan; we asked Japanese experts to evaluate Chinese and Japanese brands of clothing currently for sale in the Japanese market. Ten items of Chinese brand clothing (two dresses; eight jackets) were purchased for evaluation from a department store in Beijing; and five Japanese brand jackets were purchased for evaluation from a department store in Tokyo. Seven Japanese apparel experts then evaluated all of the items; the experts were not informed of the clothing specifications. The items were evaluated on the basis of 1) material(s); 2) color(s); 3) silhouette; 4) design emphasis point(s); 5) designer ability; 6) pattern maker ability; and 7) sewing finish. Five of the Chinese clothing samples were judged as impossible to sell in Japanese department stores primarily because the sewing quality was incompatible with Japanese requirements; the designs were outdated; and the materials were of low quality. However; the other five Chinese clothing samples received high evaluations of salability in Japan on the basis of design and sewing quality. However; even for those samples evaluated as well designed; it was found that their salability in Japan could be improved through increased cooperation among designers; pattern makers; and production factories; and additionally; through improved sewing skills. The results of this study will help Chinese and Japanese apparel makers improve the salability of their clothing in both of those countries.

Keywords

Chinese Apparel; Japanese Apparel; Clothing Evaluation; Salability.

References

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Ministry of Economy; Trade and Industry of Japan. Recent trends in the textile and fashion industry. Retrieved July 3; 2013; from www.meti.go.jp/committee/materials2/downloadfiles/g91225f07j.pdf

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