Patternmaker lifts garment industry

Renowned Western fashion houses trust Qingdao woman for perfect templates

At a recent MBA training course for startup entrepreneurs at Top Innovation Works in Qingdao's Licang district, a woman arrived on a young man's back. Dropping to the ground, she trudged to her seat on a crutch and took out a notebook.

Her arrival created a commotion as curious attendees clamored to find out who she was. "This is the very best Patternmaker in Qingdao," said Luan Xiuying, who runs a garment plant focusing on the export market. "Her name is Yang Ping and that was her son helping her. Many of Qingdao's clothing factories lean on her help to gain orders from top-notch fashion brands in the West."