Sabina Swims

Discovered a lovely shop in Hong Kong selling swimwear, resort and yoga clothing.  Designer Sabina Wong, whom has a background in fine arts & painting whilst studying in Los Angeles, started the line in 2003 frustrated at the lack of swimsuit options that fit her body shape.  She designs her own prints, which is apparent in her unique, whimsical and chic designs.  I am in particular fond of the cuts of her full body suits, as they are sexy yet sophisticated, a rarity as most suits over emphasize cliched prints, use of faux jewelry and less than flattering cuts.  I now need to go somewhere warm...my Eres suits from 3 years ago, well, seem a bit out dated.  Her new collection will be on her website shortly, prices are reasonable...$150.00 USD for the black full boy and you can mix and match tops and bottoms, suitable for your body type with loads of prints and colors to choose from.

http://www.sabinaswims.com

FFixxed Clothing

I became interested in Ffixxed clothing at a pop up shop months ago and purchased a vest/jacket (see example above).  Their collection stood out, for its intelligence, fabric selections and craft.  The design team, from Australia, with stints in Berlin and NYC, now live between Shenzhen & Hong Kong (their studio is in Shenzhen), are making well made and conceptual clothing.  I found out yesterday, Ffixxed also have a sustainable focus to their work, producing everything in house and using fabrics in the same sustainable vein.  I am serving as Creative Director for an ngo based in Hong Kong called Re:Dress (more in my next posting) and I hope to engage Ffixxed in one of our upcoming projects.   

http://www.ffixxed.com

Vein, Scandinavian Designers Hit Hong Kong

Danger, danger, an amazing shop just landed on Star Street in Wan Chai, called Vein, featuring women's clothing and fashion by a collection of Scandinavian designers.  I need to become more friendly with the sales staff and will try to take some snaps of the interior and these perfect pair of black utility boots.  

Button Hole

I can't believe I have almost lived in Hong Kong for 1 year and only discovered this gem of a store.  Located in Central, Button Hole, literally the size of a small closet is full of runway pieces at a fraction of a price, clothing around 100 USD, bags at 200 USD.  For the price, likely factory seconds, but I couldn't tell a quality difference.  The inventory is always changing (daily in fact) and the currently selection of today consisted of Balenciaga, Calvin Klein (runway), Alexander Wang, Montclair, Alexander McQueen and Balmain.  One such find was a F/W 2009 Calvin Klein jacket/dress, photo above.

Address:  58-60B Peel Street

Louche Clothing

Styled a look book shoot for a lovely friend whom has a clothing line here in Hong Kong, Louche.  She specializes in a more resort based style using silks, jersey, embroidery, beading and hand made prints.  Lovely line, currently sold in up market shops in New Zealand and Australia.  We are looking to grow her business shortly in the US and Europe.

D-Mop

According to other bloggers, D-Mop is one of the more interesting stores in Hong Kong, carrying a mixture of high fashion, street and athletic wear featuring designers such as Y-3, Moussy, and Matthew Williamson. The words "hip" and "trendy" keep appearing.   There are a scattering of stores throughout the city and every time I walk into one, I never see any other shoppers.  Annoyance immediately sets in as there are about 12 sales persons hovering over you.  Attempting to take a photo of the interiors is secretly prohibited and not certain why, the merchandise is nothing but confused and too overly priced.   Check it out, tell me what I am missing?

Awards Shows...one thing fashion insiders don't need to look for from the West

I have a guilty pleasure from NYC, after all of the awards shows (those self gratifying things actors do) I go online and review the awful outfits the celebs wear.  It's quite fun to sit with a girlfriend and bash all of the less than flattering prom dresses on the red carpet, particularly when your girlfriends are celebrity stylists, whom work with these actresses and know first hand how difficult it is to get their celebrity into a less than tacky gown.  Fortunately, there was ONE, yes one look from this weekends Golden Globes, Tilda Swinton, whom wore Jil Sander from S/S 2011.  I have been eyeing this dress for months, makes a chic statement and is just perfectly sophisticated, with a hint of masculine.  I am going to have this dress tailored (thank you Moustache), had it in the plans weeks ago.  Tilda Swinton (whom styles herself) sealed the deal.

A departure from my Asia postings, but one note, those in Asia, need not look to actresses as an example for what to wear, particularly while planning on attending a dress up function.

Rupert Sanderson Store

Perhaps not a discovery for those whom have lived in Hong Kong for more than 1 year, but a great little street for shopping in Central is On Lan, near Landmark.  I am not a fan of shopping in Central, which is too saturated with the typical bland luxury stores, but this street is worth a stroll.  One such shop is Rupert Sanderson, a UK based shoe designer.  I haven't given Rupert much attention over the years, in large part, because I never held a shoe in my hand.  His shoes are extremely well made, in large part as they are 100% italian made.  I don't believe most luxury brands are producing their shoes much in Italy and the decreased quality standards are apparent, particularly when the soles of their shoes fall apart after 1 month of usage.  Rupert's shoes are on another level.  Also, he seems to be paving a new trend, lower heel, simple design and feminine.  

Hong Kong Work Boots

I have become a bit obsessed with Hong Kong workers (factory, restaurant) whom wear white wellies/work boots.  It's fashionable without trying and makes for amazing uniforms.  You often see men wearing them on the streets, the boots serve a function, yet look so sexy. It has given me inspiration.  Finding such "working class" wellies is not an easy task, as they are all too girlie with flower or plaid designs and generally trying to hard to make a statement.  Over the holiday, I found the perfect pair.  Awaiting a rainy day to wear them and fortunately, today is their debut.  Oh yes, and bright yellow.