Young women in China find lucrative work as models in garment markets

However, it seems drawbacks go along with the decent income. A model nicknamed Amy, born in 1995, one of hundreds of fitting models in the Sijiqing garment market in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, has been engaged in the industry for more than three years.

"I get up at 4 o'clock every day," she told TheHour.cn. "Putting on my makeup takes me 15 minutes to half an hour. Customers rush to the market to pick up goods when it opens at 6 am."

Long working hours and pressure have also made her aware of her health issues. Although Amy earns from 10,000 to 20,000 yuan a month, she has to get up at 4 am and leave work at 4 in the afternoon. Long-term lack of sleep has caused changes in her very young body. "My hair is falling out, a lot of it." Sometimes, she also endures irregular menstrual cycles.