Popular fashion design--Taiwan's very own fashion lines  

Wen Ching-chu creates a sophisticated, cultured style of clothing from her design studio in Ta-an Road.

Ta-an Road runs parallel to Tunhua South Road, and it is along the stretch of Ta-an Road between Chunghsiao East Road and Jenai Road that Taiwan's top clothing designers are concentrated, displaying their sartorial takes on chinoiserie, minimalism and romanticism. Taiwanese designers, whose work graces the figures of celebrities, glamour-girls and the wives of top officials, have won a niche for themselves in the world of international fashion in recent years. 

With the support of the Taiwan Textile Federation, Taiwan has in the last few years fostered the rise of several renowned fashion designers. Their studios and shops can be found in Ta-an Road, where the window displays now outdo those of the top department stores.

Designer Wang-Chen Tsai-hsia has taken the theme of chinoiserie and imbued it with populist elements, and while her store has a richly Chinese character, there is nothing old-fashioned about its contents. There has been an international vogue for Chinese-type fashion in recent years, and Wang-Chen's cheongsams, padded jackets and embroidered designs have become de rigeur for young beauties who want to stand out in the crowd. 

Wen Ching-chu belongs to the romantic school of fashion design and loved painting when she was younger. Wen's clothing and accessory designs exude an aura of sophistication tailored to the natural vanity of young women.

Wang Chen Tsai-hsia's designs are distinctively Chinese but not at all old fashioned.

Fu Tzu-ching is another of the romantics. Fu, who studied in Japan, has a carefree design style and loves to use frilly layers of material, endowing those who wear her clothes with a sense of drifting freely. 

Chen Chi-min is a designer who works in the minimalist vein. She uses the best materials and cuts the very simplest lines, bringing out a sexy, feminine look and bringing beauty to the whole figure. 

Taipei is a stronghold of fashion, where international name-brands are all readily available--at a price. But you can save a little money and know that you're spending it in a good cause, by buying the work of homegrown fashion talent. Garments by Wang-Chen Tsai-hsia and Chen Chi-min start at NT$7000, while those of Wen Ching-chu and Fu Tzu-ching start at NT$4000. It's a good way to dress yourself in a unique look. 

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