By Celine Chen

The China National Garment Association (CNGA) published the nominations for the Fifth China Annual Garment Brands Awards on January 12, 2009. After two months of evaluation and critique, there will be an official awards ceremony in 21st Century's Theater on March 26, 2009. Since the event was launched in 2004, this is first time that nominations have been released to the public.

Faced with the financial crisis, Jiang Hengjie, the Vice-President of CNGA, accepted that the Chinese clothing industry is in considerable difficulty. The first half year of 2009 will be a severe test for the industry, but they still hope this event will provide encouragement to the business.

Wang Zhuo, general secretary to the CNGA, said the evaluation system procedures have improved. Corporations need not to apply for nomination; the committee has selected 656 brands according to their market performance. More than one hundred clothing critics, designers and experts, and more than one hundred shopping malls have been invited to evaluate these brands, not only in design but also in marketing. They hope the awards will pay tribute not only to aesthetic but also to commercial performance. Marketing is the soul of a brand.

This annual event is organized by CNGA and sponsored by Taizhou Zhongjie Sewing Machine Company.

This is the nomination list:

Design Award: JNBY; TANGY; EACHWAY

Quality Award: JOEONE; LAMPO; Yeliya

Scheme Award: Lining; LILANZ; MARK FAIRWHALE

Originality Award: ELLASSAY; JNBY; Cabbeen

Best Potential Award: NOTTING HILL; Paclantic; TONLION

Marketing award: Marisfrolg; Semir

Public Favorite Award: AIMER; YINER; Jeanswest

Best Value Award: Lining; Meters/bonwe; Jeanswest

Achievements Award: AIMER; Meters/bonwe; Septwolves