Wandering the broad avenues and intimate hutongs of Beijing, China, I am struck by just how many shopping malls, clothing stores, and accessory booths there are. Overlooking the tourist destinations (think Silk Street) and markets where you can bargain your way to any fake luxury brand, China’s capital city has witnessed an explosion of homegrown retail, filled with edgy and chic designs. But it isn’t just the growth of Chinese brands that is mind-boggling – it is also the increase in brands based in other parts of Asia such as Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. These new storefronts sell the basics to haute couture and fine jewelry. Ever heard of Su Xie, M)phosis, or Qeelin? If you haven’t yet, chances are you will very soon.

Most of these Asia-based fashion brands are just starting to explore the Internet as a means of reaching an international clientele. A curious shopper can see collections and even shop online stores, but most are just testing their retail muscles. Although only a select few have locations in the United States, expect a great many of them to branch out of Asia in the coming years. Yet, don’t expect prices like Old Navy. Most likely, these brands will rival the likes of Banana Republic, Anthropologie, and even reaching into the ranks of Vince and Milly.

Here are my picks to watch out for:

Lost and Found: I stumbled into this new store located in the hutongs of Beijing. Inside, the store is decorated with vintage clocks and reproduced furniture and kitchenware from Beijing “back in the day.” It reminded me of Anthropologie but with a much less commercial feel. I picked up some daintily wrapped tea packets and the postcards documenting Beijing’s modernization. The clothing seemed to embody a chic rural-to-urban transformation, largely dominated by neutral colors highlighted by different shades of blues. Order quaint cotton handkerchiefs from their online store ($1.75 each @ LPChatShop.com).

Plastered: Originally started by a Westerner in 2006, this Beijing T-shirt company has rapidly grown to become internationally coveted. Combining historical slogans and street images, the designs are visually interesting juxtapositions between old and new. For those who thought that graphic tees were out, this one is a must for anyone’s closet. Take a look at the “Beautiful Thermos” tee ($20 @ Plasteredtshirts.com). A thermos from the 1970s finds itself between the two characters for Beijing.

Izzue: A few years ago, I purchased a pair of pleated and cuffed gray shorts, thinking that they were definitively “Asian” looking shorts. About a year later, cuffed shorts became all the rage, and this little purchase has lasted me up to today. Izzue is a Hong Kong-based clothing company that specializes in urban wear. You can find casual day clothes including Jack Purcell sneakers to glitzy and sleek evening wear (branded Izzue Collection). If you take a look at their website, make sure to browse through their ad campaigns through the past years. There is no way that this edgy line won’t be big in the States. My favorite item from the Summer 2009 collection is a grey asymmetrical dress ($64.50 @ Izzue.com).