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Subscribe to RSSSUZHOU – Wang Xiaofeng has spent 11 years working as a seamstress. She’s employed by the Shanghai Unite Gold Textile Garment Company in Suzhou, which occupies a small site a few stories high in a building overlooking one of the city's many famous canals.
The tiny factory specializes in wedding dresses, which a handful of seamstresses can turn around in as quickly as ten days, depending on the amount of fabric.
But Wang’s spent the past seven months working not on a wedding gown but an engagement dress.
One that’s already been worn.
Five thousand miles away.
By a future princess.
“I like this dress very much,” said Wang, smiling shyly as she held up a nearly completed silky blue dress and showed me the boning. “It’s a bit more complicated to make, because the design is involved.”
Adrienne Mong
Wang Xiaofeng makes a copy of Kate's engagement dress.
She’s produced ten of them, and most of the customers she says are overseas.
But the Jiangsu Province native stares blankly when I ask her about the owner of the original dress and its significance.
“I don’t know who Kate Middleton is,” she replied.
Made in China
Wang’s not the only one to profess ignorance of two people about to be married in what’s being breathlessly billed as “the wedding of the century.”
Across China, most people have never heard of Middleton although they might have a vague idea that Britain has a royal family.“I think if people here got to know her, they would like her style very much,” said Wang’s boss, Rachel Liu, who started her garment business in 2008.
But general Chinese ignorance of Middleton didn’t keep Liu – and countless other small businesspeople in China – from recognizing an opportunity to make more money when Kate and William’s engagement was announced last November.
“[H]er dress was very pretty, and we thought, let’s try making one,” she recalled. But although they’ve sold a few of the dresses, each one costs $70 to reproduce, according to Liu, who wouldn't disclose how much the dress retails, but did concede her profit margin isn’t very high.
A few hours’ drive southwest, in Hangzhou, Andy Sun has no such problem; he’s making a tidy profit mass producing commemorative coins.
Adrienne Mong
Hangzhou Cool Eagle Hardware has sold some 200,000 wedding commemorative coins.
The 36-year-old former postal worker launched his small operation last summer, the Hangzhou Cool Eagle Hardware Co., which began making the mementos just one day after the engagement announcement.
“We looked for a photo online of them together, but the difference in height was a problem,” he said. “So we found individual photos, the ones we thought were the best looking, and then put them together" for the coin design.”
Sun employs 12 workers who churn out 2,000 coins in eight-hour shifts inside a cavernous hangar-like space, where the noise from the machines in opposite corners echo everywhere.
Since November, the company has sold at least 200,000 coins – each one retailing for $5.49 plus shipping.
Stacks of coins are packed off every day and sent off to the U.K., the U.S., and elsewhere. But “most of our customers come from Britain [who] just order online,” said Sun.
The Yiwu Unnar Ornament Co. has sold almost as many copies of Middleton’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring, which had belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales and is valued at $52 million.
Rows and rows of reproductions – made of a metal alloy, zirconia, and crystal – lie inside foam pads on the premises near downtown Yiwu. A handful of employees work efficiently by hand to recreate the jewelry.
Adrienne Mong
This small factory near Yiwu has sold nearly 200,000 copies of the engagement ring.
“It takes us 12 days to make a ring, and then another four to five days to send it by DHL, [and] we sold 3,000 pieces in the first month,” said Fisher Sam, the company’s sales manager. “We’ve now sold about 200,000.”
The ring retails for up to $40, but it only costs the factory $3 to produce.
“A history in our memory"
Despite – or because of – the tidy profits generated for these small start-up businesses, the managers expressed great enthusiasm for the royal nuptials.
“I think it will be…a history in our memory,” said Sam.
“The wedding will be a world event,” agreed Sun. “I saw the wedding of Prince Charles and Diana when I was younger, but I’d love to see this wedding on television live.”
For workers like Wang, the garment worker, however, watching the wedding isn’t a must. It’s a luxury.
“If there is time, I will watch the wedding on television,” she said.
Otherwise, she said she’ll be busy working.
After all, Liu’s garment business may decide to try to make copies of Middleton’s bridal gown as soon as the earliest pictures are available.
Related links:
Royal wedding fever? Some Britons are just sick of it
SLIDESHOW: Wacky royal wedding memorablia
For all things Royal Wedding-related, read msnbc.com's Windsor Knot blog.
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I am happy for the Chinese, but we need to start making our own products here in the United States. Almost everything I see around that has a label on it says "Made in China" which to me is not cool.
I'd like to see 100% MORE products with that "Made in the USA" label on them.
Yeah... but you have to remember that "$3 to produce" also includes labor, which I'm certain is only a fraction of the production price. Two things out of that; 1) you won't see people working in America for that wage. 2) it is the only way that China has become the "supposed" 2nd largest world economy.
I, personally, am not to happy for the Chinese workers and I'm disgusted by the owners of such factories.
you can buy them at antique shops - American girl
Why do you say "we"? Why don't you start your own company instead of expecting others to do it for you?
Me too, I would love to see more products with the label Made in the USA
We actually do make a lot of things in the US, but you do have to look for them. Too, most things are more expensive (from a checkout perspective) but when you factor lifespan, suddenly the true value is understood in spending more (they were right when they said, "you get what you pay for").
I made the switch to many things American-made and have found that I not had to go back for replacements almost...at all really. When you exploit the people, work the children like slaves, and create lower quality merchandise, it doesn't really benefit you in the long run.
We need to think more "in the long run"...
100% of current 0% “Made in USA" is still 0 product.
NO! Americans should be SMARTER and using our brains for things and creating things. That is our future. Let the uneducated in the world make the trinkets and let's educate Americans so that we can be the CREATORS in the world. Microsoft Google Adobe Sun HP Xerox Pharmaceuticals -- all the products that we research and design, let them build. I am tired of hearing that our people should be manufacturing all the trinkets the country needs. We should be smarter and more driven than that!
Do you REALLY believe that nothing is made in the US, or was that just a quick quip for sarcastic effect?
Impatientgirl,
Please don't be so provincial. You seem to believe that: 1) Americans are too smart or good to do physical work; 2) The rest of the world is not as smart as Americans; 3) That American thoughts, ideals, and products designs are suitable for all other countries and societies.
In fact, Americans need to be as involved in providing for their physical needs as they are in creating new ones. When we can no longer feed and clothe ourselves, we will barter our "intellectual property" for pennies. Our society cannot function without internal production.
The world is full of smart people. We have no exclusive claim. In fact, America has always depended on IMPORTED technology and intellect. Many of our great inventors were immigrants, educated abroad.
Finally, just as the Chinese do not understand some of the things that they make for us; we would not, cannot, understand the nuances of the Chinese consumer. Likewise, American solutions to mundane problems have NO use in parts of Africa as they depend on reliable and abundant electrical power.
What is at greater risk is fundamental economic structure. 1-3% of the population can create. The rest of us then must produce, distribute, market and service to survive. If our whole structure depends on creativity, what happens when the world's tastes or needs change?
Americans feed themselves fine. When a country sells produce to the US and leaves little for their own people to eat, makes you wonder if we are really so bad as some say. The US is doing fine, we have led for a long time, we continue to lead, but its a small world and I believe all countries should prosper equally. I agree with her though, these are small little things that only used to be made in the US and the equipment was sold to them because many companies closed or moved on to bigger things. Let them enjoy the little things, its much better than what they have had the past 100 years.
There is a reason for the high percentage of goods with "made in China" label. For a product to be labeled "made in US", a high percentage of the components must be made in US as well. Not so in China. Just like Wen Jiabo said: "The $600 iPad includes only $2 of Chinese content." This $2 includes the case, the packaging, and the labor. Where did the other $598 came from ? The US, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan.... US content in the $600 iPad is probably much more than the $2 of Chinese content.
This story sickens me because now the British can't even make their own future queen's wedding dress.
Just as I was sickened when I found that I had bought a Pendleton Hat, 100% wool, Located in Pendelton Oregon, been around a 140 years. Then I looked at the tag at the back of the head band and it said Made In China.
suck it up Jay
Well, as Jack Welch said, the responsibility of a company is to increase the stock price and value to shareholders, right? Something like that?
So they shift manufacturing to China and cut the production cost by what, 75% at least? Then they charge the same amount retail?
That means greatly increased profits, and a higher stock price.
Bonuses for everyone!
Sorry about the unemployed workers. Maybe they can buy a Pendleton product at a thrift store.
That's what I do.
Pete is right. It's just American capitalism doing what it does best. The companies are duty bound to maximize profits. If you don't like that, then you're just a loser who hate successful people.
But you forget, when production goes to China, it only lasts a short time. Then they begin to manufacture there own copy and begin selling it. Everything that has moved to China eventually is lost by the company importing from China to a Chinese company that used the equipment and technology to make the initial product. This will be seen more and more with larger items as time goes on. See how long John Deer will make tractors there before a Chinese company starts making tractors then begins to sell them here in the US for half the price.
This is wrong on so many levels.
Wonder how long it would take for that copy of the ring to dissolve if you wear it while taking a shower?
Probably about the same as rock candy..lol
Why is this news? AMERICANS also cash in on celebrity stuff by duplicating them and eating up the profits. How is this different - because they're Chinese? Why are you always bad-mouthing the Chinese?
I agree with you.
How is this badmouthing the chinese? Seems like an objectively written story if you ask me. They're just reporting news. Why do you think they are badmouthing the chinese...seems to me that maybe you are a racist.
In this whole article, there's no comment about why the two women shown are wearing thick coats and having to work in frigid conditions. Shoddy journalism which missed the point of the story.
hate to tell you, but I am freezing at my desk right now bc the director in charge of the thermostat is always having hot flashes....... probably not the case with her, but you're assuming that.
I once helped an American mail order firm with orders from Taiwan. A part that was mail ordered for $5.00 cost the American owner $0.35. The big bucks did not go to the Taiwanese or Chinese like in this article. The middlemen are the ones that rip off consumers.
Even more reproductions/counterfeits/garbage from China. Run right to Wally World and snatch yours today!
No wonder the Chinese can work for less. Did anyone notice how the girl making the ring copies, is dressed?
How cold do you think it is in that factory? If that was the USA, the factory owners would be sued for not having a heated work area. I wonder how else the Chinese cut their cost?
I saw that too. Obviously no heat in China factories, much like the US was in the late 1800's early 1900's during our industrial revolution when we were the suppliers of cheap goods for the modern world.
Saw that too. All had fur collars, long sleeved shirts and jackets. Wow. Must be hell working for ten cents an hour and freezing while doing so. On the other hand it DOES provide them with an income. Wonder how fair of an income it is? The glaring weakness of capitalism run amok is abuse of workers by management. Since we're all only human I suspect it will continue until the end of time.
American workers are fat, lazy, and feel they are entitled to everything. It's the very reason why the country is losing out to China.
Actually the American worker is the most productive in the world...by quite a margin. But when foreign workers will work for a fractional amount it simply doesn't matter. They can employ 3-6 Chinese for one US worker's wage. Even the best cannot out work those ratios.
It always takes 2 to tango !! People always complain about low cost production in China but consumers in this country are supporting it by keep buying their products. This has always been a price driven market and people will continue to look for the best deals. So should people still complain about the low cost from China? Kind of double standard, don't you think?!?!?
Well said.
Thank you - said it for years...no one cares about your voices, they care about you dollars. So instead of bitching about it, find an American company and start using their products instead. There are many companies in the nation but people prefer to hit the local Walmart and find the cheapest...and that's exactly what they get, and in the process, sell out the country item by item.
Maybe in time, all will come full circle. China, through thier unions, will improve their working conditions and lose the ability to compete and we will once again will lessen our workers benefits, and become a world leader in production once again...... Sort of a joke, but is it?
China is going through what all the developed nations have gone through. Costs in China are actually going up everyday, and the rise in exchange rate is going to have a big impact on imported goods. Things will continue to change (but much faster these days, of course). We are in a global market and we should not keep looking back in the old days and compared how things were being done then. Market will eventually adjust itself !
More like...China will increase costs, and the next poor country can be "bought and sold" so they can work 20 hours a day 7 days a week so we can buy cheap merchandise.
In fact, it already happens in some areas today...Phillipeans are making clothing now as well as a couple other countries in the region.
China's factories cash in on everything! They are completely screwing Us and everyone else! STOP BUYING "MADE IN CHINA"!!
Maybe instead of whining and making excuses for being lazy, you should work as hard as the chinese.
Once, I did try to only buy American made. It was not easy. And, I had to pay 50% or more for the US goods. However, the quality was also much better.
But, after a while I got tired of having to go to four stores to find what I wanted, that was made in the good old US of A.
I guess I am a typical American..... lazy, spoiled and in a hurry. Lots to think about though.
Notice the workers are wearing some pretty heavy winter coats in the factory. A heated factory for the Chinese workers is not required! That also saves the factory owner a few extra bucks!
Adrienne, your article keeps repeating that the Chinese workers' are ignorant of the British royal wedding, as if everyone is required to know about it. So many people have real life problems to face, such as feeding their family. If you want to spend your time following the royal wedding news, go for it. For the rest of us, we have to keep the world moving.
BTW, since you know so much about the world, who is the current Chinese presient and premier? How about right next to our very country, who is Canada and Mexico's prime minister? How about their family? Do you know them? If not, you better read up on your tabloid!
This article is relevant to them making items influenced by Kate Middleton not knowing who she is. If you want to read about other topics, go read those other articles.
Until American workers can work as hard and as efficient/productive as Chinese workers, US companies will keep sending the manufacturing work to China.
Henrich,
It is not a question of being efficient/productive. It is a question of state-private partnership. It is a question of abundant labor and a government focus to use that labor to gain prominence, if not domination.
If an American company can negotiate and bribe its way into the Chinese system; it will find state-sponsored buildings, equipment and labor. Local companies often benefit from virtually free space, lax regulation, and co-opted former government equipment. New technology will always be a strategic target to gain trade advantages.
Trade with China will always depend on a tight-rope walk between revealing enough to interest the Chinese, and withholding enough to remain valuable to the Chinese.
what difference our country been sold to china specially by obama who came into officer around 8 trillion debt he inherted from bush and now its 15 trillion what he did in 2 years bush did in 8. This man obama like most democrats thing chinese credit card safe but it isnt all republicans and democrats @!$%# you both i hope u all satisfied with selling us out to communist china be ashamed yourselfs
I wonder if this is "officially licensed" memorabilia.
I watch a news program on a Chinese TV network about factories making trinkets like these. The workers were so proud saying that they are proud that the British Royal Family ordered these stuff from the factory. I wonder whether they knew who actually chose the factory, and was it from the Royal Family. And I didn't see the seal of the Royal Warrant on any of these products. And then I see the segment about these trinkets being sold on streets vendors in London, I know what's up.
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Zhongji Machinery Co., Ltd. Was founded in 1992. We manufacture<a href= roll forming machine</a>, Roof Panel Roll Forming and roll former Lines. We are the first drafter of the China National Standards for 3D Panel. Joint venture with a German manufacturer of EPS machinery where the first EPS Block Molding Machine in the world was produced in 1960. Our Sandwich Panel Machinery can produce Z-Lock Panel for cold room. More than 600 staffs providing prompt services and complete solution for you. Ten oversea branch offices responsible for the worldwide sales and after-sales services. The President, Mr. Gunther Hou, is a well educated and experienced Engineer with a strong command of English. We are the biggest and most competitive machinery manufacturer in China.