Director of Nguyen Tam Garment and Textile, managing company of the FOCI brand, Ho The Son said: "Only by introducing different summer collections on a massive scale can we meet the demands of young people because their tastes evolve so quickly."

In spirit with Viet Nam's open market and the breakneck speed of its economic development, local designers and producers have to raise their game in order to keep up with increasingly fickle customer demand.

"The quality of domestic products is as good as the stuff from other places in the region, yet also 20 to 30 per cent cheaper. The variety is more diverse too. After around half a month, I can still find new things when I come back to the store," said Tran Hong Ngoc, a shopper from Binh Thanh District.

The Sai Gon 2 Garment Joint-stock Company has a line of going out clothes and beachwear with simple shapes and floral prints going for about VND100,000 ($6.5) per garment. Nakamura Brand has come out with a wide variety of T-shirts using canvas, polyester prints, and checkered patterns. Meanwhile, FOCI has a sporty look for young people, with raglan pullovers and denim or khaki skirts with cloth belts, while KIWI's new design theme focuses on chiffon, lace, and beaded V-neck dresses.

What to wear?

Clothes branded as Made in Vietnam, once typically designated as stuff not up to international standards, are now getting a makeover thanks to fresh, new materials and Western designs.

"I like the style and unique design of these products. Most of these products are simple but some are really interesting models that can't be found at most markets or stores," said Tran Anh Tu, a customer at a Made in Vietnam shop on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, District 1.

Made in Vietnam clothes are sold in shops along streets like Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Nguyen Van Troi, Dien Bien Phu and Tran Huy Lieu in District 3 or at Lucky Plaza, informally known as Nga (Russian) Market.

Young people tend to pick roomy mini-dresses and bubble dresses with low necklines and large belts, according to Hoang Thuy Linh, a salewoman at Lucky Plaza.

These items go for around VND150,000 to 250,000 ($9-15) each. Perhaps most importantly, there is a wide range of sizes that can fit, ahem, Western shapes.

This article first appeared on www.vietnamnews.vnagency.com

July 16, 2008

0 Comment(s)

Post your comment here

Name (Required)

E-Mail (Required, will not be shown)

Website

* Your comment will be displayed after admin approval.

Please write the answer into the right box: 5 + 71 =