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An employee of Jinsanta Silk Co Ltd sells its products through livestreaming. [Photo/WeChat account: jxfabu]

The fashion industry in Jiaxing, East China's Zhejiang province, recorded an industrial added value of 11.9 billion yuan ($1.66 billion) in the first half of 2025, according to data released by the Jiaxing municipal bureau of economy and information technology on Aug 5.

The city's fashion cluster is centered in Haining, Tongxiang, Pinghu, and Xiuzhou, with each area taking on distinct roles.

Tongxiang was designated as a core area for the provincial textiles and apparel cluster and generated industrial output of 122.87 billion yuan in 2024. Elsewhere, Pinghu's down jacket brands have gained national attention, while Xiuzhou focuses on women's fashion, silk textiles, and sweaters.

New technology is playing a vital role. At a factory of Zhejiang Zhongding Textile Co Ltd in Tongxiang, pure cashmere yarn is now being produced on automated lines, reflecting the broader digital transformation of traditional industries.

All across Jiaxing, enterprises are now integrating industrial big data, 5G, and artificial intelligence into design, production, and marketing.

Cultural elements are also reshaping value creation. At Jinsanta Silk Co Ltd, scarves featuring traditional opera motifs are now sold through livestreaming, with online sales accounting for 60 percent of total sales.

The company is investing over 50 million yuan annually in innovation — combining 3D printing and AI to drive product development, while highlighting traditional aesthetics in modern formats.