Approach To Apparel Industry Development Of Shanghai During1949to1965

Apparel industry of Shanghai during1949-1965holds a significant position in the costume history of Modern China. The study on apparel industry of Shanghai during that time will not only make contributions to historical research, but also offer some references to the transformation of apparel industry and Shanghai’s formation of fashion city. Based on historical data and the theory of Industrial Economy, holding1949-1965as time-bounded, this paper does a study on industry structure, industry organization, industry layout, industry linkage and industry development from the perspective of costume history. Analysis of economic sector, administration, distribution, relationships between supply-product-sale, technologies, product assortment and trade development comprise the whole study. Conclusions are as follows:1. Political, economic and social factors do a direct impact on the change of fashion mainstream. With the founding of China and the transition of social circumstances, Mao outfits and Lenin coats were being prevalent. Meanwhile, suits and cheongsams faded away from daily life.2. Production materials of Shanghai apparel industry actualized private-owned to public-owned during1949-1965. Private capitalist economy finally changed into public-owned through public-private joint management. While, individual economy completed the changing to public-owned through cooperatives.3. Shanghai apparel industry formed a Bureau-Corporation-Company management mode during1949-1965.4. As the establishing of planned economy, manufacture management of Shanghai apparel industry was changed from unplanned to planned. Industry organization form became more cooperative than before. It helped configure resources rationally with the increasing collaboration between companies. However, with the loss of autonomy and flexibility, it would go against long-term development of apparel industry.5. Geographical position, economic factors and social factors affect distribution of apparel companies directly. Companies would choose to locate at the midst of the city because there is economically developed, better surroundings and high population density. Shanghai apparel companies mainly located at or around Huangpu district. Only few cooperatives were located near suburbs.6. When government began to intervene, apparel companies were gradually deprived of the right to purchase and sale autonomously.7. After technical innovation movement, the standard of cutting, sewing and ironing got another peak. Through innovating tools, practitioners improved labor productivity and promoted economic growth of apparel industry.8. Lacking in materials during1950s had caused the decreasing of product type and the reducing of quality. With recovery of economy in1960s, quality of product regained to some extent.9. Export trade is closely related to foreign affairs. During1950s, China was on speaking terms with the Soviet Union and other socialist countries, so export trade was catered to these countries. While, moving to1960s, with Sino-Soviet relations deteriorated, export direction changed to capitalist countries.