As night falls, the Guoda Yuntinghui Clothing Night Market in Shijing sub-district, Baiyun district, is abuzz with activity, drawing both local shoppers and international buyers.

Since it opened last October, the market has rapidly expanded to more than 1,000 stalls, offering a diverse range of men's, women's, and children's clothing, along with a selection of accessories.

Shijing sub-district, a pivotal part of the Guangdong provincial capital's fashion hub, boasts over 20 specialized wholesale markets, including the Jindong Garment Trade Center and Guangda Shoes City. This area is renowned for its high-quality, affordable fashion products available at wholesale prices.

It now hosts over 1,100 fashion enterprises and has nurtured more than 100 well-known brands. With nearly 20,000 industry professionals on its grounds, the area boasts an annual transaction volume exceeding 100 billion yuan ($14.8 billion). The fashion industry's cluster effect is increasingly prominent, forming a complete industrial chain that encompasses design, brand showcasing, and consumer fashion.

The Fashion Capital of Guangzhou, which has Shijing sub-district as its core, is located in the southern part of Baiyun. It spans 7.9 square kilometers and is a key development platform for the district. In October 2025, the Fashion Capital's industrial park unveiled its initial design, leading to a leap in fashion development.

Tongli International Fashion Harbor, a landmark in the Fashion Capital, covers nearly 100,000 sq m. It combines trade, design, showcasing and e-commerce, creating a digital platform for the entire industrial chain.

Long Wei, a manager at Tongli International Fashion Harbor, said the transformation of the industrial park inside the Fashion Capital, from an old factory to a modern fashion hub, reflects its alignment with the Fashion Capital's vision, incorporating elements like glass facades and modern landscaping.

"This makes the entire park look both industrial and stylish," Long said.

He noted that Fashion Harbor aims to attract more designers, brands, and supply chain companies to create a vibrant industry cluster. "We hope the Fashion Capital is not just a name, but a tangible, warm, and vibrant new urban landmark," he added.

Fenghong (GZ) Trading, a retailer of the Skechers brand, has benefited from the Fashion Capital's strategic location and comprehensive fashion industrial chain.

"The government's supportive policies, including market renovation, rent reduction, and tax incentives, have significantly reduced operational costs," said a manager of the company.

The efforts to introduce designer talent and establish intellectual property protection stations underscore Baiyun district's commitment to nurturing original brands.

In July 2025, the fashion design and apparel industrial cluster in Baiyun district was included in the 2025 Guangdong Province SME Characteristic Industry Cluster List, highlighting its growing influence.

The 2025 Guangzhou Fashion Week, held at the Design Hall of the Design Capital of Guangzhou in December, showcased the city's robust fashion industry, drawing designers and brands nationwide.

Ji Wenbo, president of the Guangzhou Original Brand Designers Association and chairman of the Guangzhou Fashion Week Organizing Committee, stated that Guangzhou's design is the strongest in the country and has significant influence internationally.

Looking forward, Baiyun will strengthen modern industrial clusters to build a modern industrial system with international competitiveness, as outlined in the district's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

The fashion design and apparel-based industrial cluster is expected to achieve even greater scale and success in the near future, contributing to Guangzhou's high-quality development.