No-frills: Designers at Entiati, a private fashion company that opened in 2011, combine simplicity and practicality in their latest collection. — HTV Photo

by Thu Anh

HCM CITY (VNS) — New clothing shops in HCM City are holding their own against famous international brands, with new collections being snatched up by the city's style-conscious.

Designers for May in Love and Ivory, two brand names owned by Entiati, a private fashion company opened in 2011, combine simplicity and practicality at their shop on Nguyen Trai Street in District 1.

They use only black and white on silk and taffeta for their latest collection titled The Total Lady.

With more than 50 designs every season, the shop's items sell from VND200,000 to 500,000 (US$10-25).

"I like designs by Entiati because they make women more beautiful and trendy. Additionally, their prices are reasonable for their high-quality," said regular customer Hoang Thi Thu Huyen.

She said a skirt from Ivory was VND350,000 ($16) but a similar product was over VND1 million ($50) at a foreign shop.

Limited edition items labelled "Jen by Nguyen" in District 3's Huynh Tinh Cua Street provide a taste of global fashion trends.

Highlighted designs are on traditional materials like lace and voile.

The shop's high-end clothes are pricey, over VND1.2 million ($60), but customers with deep pockets are thrilled that sophisticated designs can now be found at a Vietnamese fashion house.

Other fashion shops have also upgraded their goods. Novelty and Dep Fashion offer casual and office wear collections for men and women.

While Novelty's popular clothing line starts at VND200,000 ($10), Dep Fashion's customers should be prepared to pay VND1-2 million ($50-$100) per item.

In their collection called Dancing in the Night, Dep Fashion uses silk and satin to highlight the traditional beauty of women who will look charming in white, cream and purple pink.

Novelty uses cotton and khaki, and embroidery in hot colours, such as orange, banana green and green, to launch a trend of simple and high-end styles.

A full range of accessories of handbags, scarves and jewellery made by local craftspeople are also offered.

To satisfy the needs of the market in the year-end season, domestic brand names are also spending more to grab the attention of customers. They have also worked to ensure their services and promotions are the best for customers.

According to a representative of Novelty, the shop plans to launch a shopping online service next month.

"We believe in our future," she said. — VNS