Models are seen in newly designed home textiles at the first China Nantong International Home Textile Fashion Week in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Oct 18. [Photo by Xu Congjun/ntfabu.com]

The first China Nantong International Home Textile Fashion Week opened in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province on Oct 18.

One outstanding work exhibition tour, three spring/summer collection invitational exhibitions, and three lectures on fashion design are being held during the week-long event, which is being attended by 200 design institutions, 160 home textile companies, as well as 15 universities.

In addition, the awards ceremony for the Zhang Jian Cup Design Competition, the China Home Textile Quality Conference, and the China (Nantong) International Home Textile Design Forum will also be held during the fashion week.

Launched in 2006, the Zhang Jian Cup Design Competition has grown into the most authoritative and influential of its kind in China. This year, the competition received 699 entries from around the world, 29 of which received an award.

A model presents newly designed home textiles at the first China Nantong International Home Textile Fashion Week in Nantong, Jiangsu province on Oct 18. [Photo by Xu Congjun/ntfabu.com]

The forum will invite experts in the home textile industry to offer suggestions on improving the design of home textiles in Nantong and constructing the Nantong International Home Textile Industrial Park into a world-class home textile industrial cluster.

The trading volume of Nantong International Home Textile Industrial Park in Nantong exceeded 230 billion yuan ($35.98 billion) last year, making it the largest distribution center of home textiles in the country.

The textile industry is the most symbolic pillar industry in Nantong. More than 100 years ago, Zhang Jian founded China's first cotton-spinning company Dasheng Cotton Mill in the city.

After one century of development, a modern textile industry system featuring home textiles, cotton spinning, apparel, chemical fibers, and silk has taken shape in Nantong where more than 1,000 textile companies above designated size are operating as well as exporting their products to over 150 countries and regions.