Suntchi (Shanghai) Brand & Technology, which has offices in Shanghai, Tokyo and New York, has formed a five-year strategic partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

This creates a gateway to China for US-based fashion brands and designers via a full-service management company focussed on the fashion and entertainment industries.

It will also enable Chinese fashion companies to access the US market, says Suntchi founder/CEO Paul Fang. He says the group takes pride in branding and marketing new and established designers, identifying cultural trends and increasing market share, and the partnership will create “massive opportunity” in China for American designers.

“Thousands of fashion and lifestyle companies can now connect to create new consumer scenarios and consumption patterns, combining entertainment, art and fashion to prompt China’s consumer adoption,” says Fang.

CFDA’s 500-plus membership includes womenswear, menswear, jewellery and accessory designers, including Donna Karan, Gerard Yosca, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Mimi So, Rachel Zoe, Ralph Lauren, Shayne Oliver and Yeohlee Teng. The not-for-profit trade association was founded in 1962 and hosts the annual CFDA Fashion Awards.

“Partnering with Suntchi aligns with our mission to strengthen the impact of American fashion in the global economy,” says CFDA president/CEO Steven Kolb.