You've no excuse to ignore our local designers now that their clothes are available at the mere click of a mouse.

Online auction centre eBay has teamed up with Singapore Fashion Week (SFW) organiser, the Textile and Fashion Federation of Singapore, to put local designers from The Designers Showcase (TDS) on the World Wide Web.

TDS is the annual SFW's three-day catwalk exhibition where designers from Singapore and the region show off their latest collections to international buyers.

Since last Thursday, the seven talents retailing on the online marketplace include veteran womenswear designer Celia Loe, up-and-coming star Nic Wong - whose Nicholas label is lauded for its sharp silhouettes and details - and activewear label Funfit.

They were each provided guidance on how to set up and maintain an eBay online boutique, which is linked to the main microsite, by trading assistants (TAs) who are actually experienced eBay sellers.

Customers can view the designers' profiles and purchase their items at a fixed price. Brands Tian, Nicholas and Funfit are also granting users exclusive access to limited-edition pieces and pre-order apparel from their spring/summer 2008 collections.

While this first-time collaboration involves only TDS names, eBay is willing to include any local designer by linking his online store to the microsite. Training can also be provided to those who need help creating an online store.

The first three designers to contact eBay about this opportunity will be put in touch with TAs while others can make use of eBay's OnRamp programme, a phone-based consulting service designed to help sellers in Singapore sell their wares globally.

The microsite is at www.ebay.com.sg/fashion. Those interested in being part of it can contact Eunice Lim on 6510-4535 or at eunlim@ebay.com