Zhang Zhisheng, consul general of China in Denpasar, delivers a post about White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wearing black lace produced in Pingyang county, Wenzhou. [Photo/66wz.com]
A lace on a dress worn by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently sparked interest after Chinese workers recognized it as their product, local media outlets reported.
The black lace, part of a Self-Portrait dress made in China, is believed to have originated from Mabu, a town in Wenzhou's Pingyang county.
Though small in scale, Mabu's lace industry has been able to thrive through global integration. Local firms supply everything from affordable trims to high-end handmade lace for luxury brands. The lace recognized on Leavitt's dress, a Chanel-style trim priced at about 13 yuan ($1.78) per yard, reflects the town's broad reach across the global fashion supply chain.
For decades, Mabu's lace businesses have been adapting to global demands, upgrading technology, following fashion trends from Paris to New York, and accelerating production cycles to serve international markets efficiently. Today, their products are staples of women's fashion, automotive accessories, and home décor worldwide.
Despite challenges like US tariff hikes, local entrepreneurs remain confident, believing that the global demand for beauty and craftsmanship will outweigh political headwinds. As one business owner put it, "The pursuit of beauty will surpass any barrier."
