LookAtVietnam – More than 150 local and foreign clothing companies are taking part in the 2009 Viet Nam Fashion Fair at the HCM City International Exhibition and Convention Centre, which began on July 8.

Dream doll: A simple, but high-end style created by young designer Bich Ha.

The organisers hope the six-day fair will encourage local garment companies to develop new partnerships and create promotional and marketing options at home and abroad.

“Both garment and footwear industries are facing difficulties in foreign markets,” says Le Trung Hai, Vinatex deputy director. “They have worked hard to compete with foreign companies in attracting customers in the local market.”

Leading garment companies in Ha Noi and HCM City, such as Viet Tien, Viet Thang, Phuong Dong, Phong Phu and Nha Be, participated in the event, displaying new materials and production lines.

“We will bring together our young designers and customers, and provide them with more opportunities to further business relationships,” Viet Thang General Director, Le Nguyen Ngoc, says.

Strutting the catwalk

Viet Thang’s young designers introduced their latest collections at the fair last night, offering new trends in fashion for spring and summer.

The show used original American music to highlight 45 designs from three talented designers who turned their back on casual wear.

Their collection includes accessories made by local craftsman.

Bich Ha, using only silk, highlights the modern beauty of women, both old and young, who look charming in swathes of blue and white.

In his collection, Van Khoa and Hong Vuong use cotton and khaki to launch a trend of simple and high-end styles.

While Ha’s designs in neutral colours are suitable for people who love trendy styles, her colleagues, Khoa and Vuong, offer hot colours like red and orange.

“No more foreign items, Vietnamese only,” says Bich Ha, one of the country’s new designers.

Ha believes female customers bought Thai, Korean and Chinese accessories previously but are now going local because “we are offering quality products at reasonable prices”.

Accessories from young designers like Ha cost just VND100,000 (US$7) per item.

Ha and her peers face challenges this season as people tighten their belts due to economic difficulties.

By offering new collections, they want to send a message to their costumers: enjoy quality and beautiful products but save money at the same time.

Every night, fashion shows will continue to premiere the latest collections under new brandnames from old and new designers working for industry leaders such as Phuong Dong, Phu Thai and Vinh Phu.

The fair at 446-518 Hoang Van Thu Street, Tan Binh district, will close next Tuesday.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News