Chinese Silk Fashion Models

Photo & story by: Debbie Stock

If Suzhou is home to an eclectic mix of artists, entertainers and lovely models, then you'll be delighted to know you can visit a silk factory with daily fashion shows where some of China's prettiest ladies sport product lines of feminine, fashionable clothing made of the finest quality silks.

Located in the Suzhou Dongling Group Co., Ltd. factory which is home to the popular 100% silk comforters, the showrooms and sales floors cater to tourists who've come to save hundreds of dollars on silk items. If you have time to do your research, you discover that this is one of the better deals available in the long list of "factories" that sell everything from silk carpets, embroidered art, pearls, jade and Cloissone gifts.

In the silk factory outlet, comforters that sell for around $300 to $500 in the US and other places online cost a fraction of that. Dresses, slacks, vests and pajamas are not cheap, but are made of quality silk and range from around $10 for a scarf to over $100 for a matching jacket and slacks. There are also men's clothing items such as silk shirts, jackets, slacks and scarves.

Not knowing what the quality of the items would be when we made our purchases, upon return to the US and many machine washings of the silk sheets and bedding, it became apparent that the quality was comparable to the products sold in designer bedding stores for sometimes 10 times the price. If you travel to China and are a fan of silk, not only will see lovely ladies fanning themselves in a fashion show at the Suzhou silk factory, you'll also be able to purchase some of the world's finest silk.

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