Hong Kong Fashion Geek

Sweet Cream

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:02:00 +0000

Just a quick one, more later on this hopefully... but Laduree has launched a pop-up for its 150th anniversary, at Lane Crawford's "Blitz" station at its store in Tsim Sha Tsui. If you're thinking "yay, macaroons!" then please, hold that thought. It's actually a boatload of Laduree merch, from candles to umbrellas to home fragrances to face and body creams, all in flavours as delectable as the macaroons themselves. My pick? Undoubtedly the almond-scented body cream, which brings to mind delicious thoughts of almond tofu and other yummy things... it's $500 to moisturize your entire self and then another $20 to go downstairs to the dessert shop and buy yourself a serving of almond tofu dessert.

Retail Therapy: Victoria Beckham

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Wed, 30 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

So I’m always conscious of my fat arms which is why you never see me in anything sleeveless. But this doesn’t deter me from wanting this Victoria Beckham Color-block stretch-crepe dress. The pop of yellow really appeals to me and maybe if I wear it while hiding in my usual black blazer, it will still work?

Pencil It In

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Tue, 29 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Never has it seemed more essential that I own a pencil skirt in some sort of loud, graphic floral print. It's Givenchy, of course, that gave me floral-pencil-brain, but a few other brands do convincing interpretations. Although eventually, one naturally turns to Asos for substitutes. I bookmarked this lovely specimen only to discover it sold out in my size within the 24-hour period I gave myself to think about it (always wise when making online purchases, else one fritter away one's whole salary on frivolous whim purchases). Boohoo. The moral is, don't just pencil it in, GET IT DONE. Spoken like a true procrastinator.

Givenchy pencil skirt, $1,580
Balenciaga pencil skirt, $526
Peter Pilotto pencil skirt, $910
Prabal Gurung pencil skirt, £840
Givenchy pencil skirt, £839
Givenchy pencil skirt, £835
Pencil skirt, $563
Paul Smith Black Label pencil skirt, £190

Retail Therapy: Alexander McQueen

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Tue, 29 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

The day job is keeping me incredibly busy this week with a major three-day event and so apologies in advance for the lack of inspiration for my blog posts. I will have to count on my Geek in crime, Christina to keep you entertained. From me this week, I’m just choosing four items that caught my eye while trying to refrain from shopping on Net-a-Porter. Behold my first item of lust, the Alexander McQueen Swarovski crystal skull and claw ring

Japanstagram

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Mon, 28 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Managed to jam in quite a bit in my whirlwind 48-hour press trip to Tokyo. Appreciate the view from the 48th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo. Eat gifted Laduree pistachio and vanilla macaroons in the bathtub reading my kindle and drinking grape juice thefted from the Traveller's Lounge at Hong Kong airport, then sitting down for a nine-course kaiseki dinner in the restaurant downstairs. Did an interview, ate the best soft-boiled egg with ramen, had a facial at the wonderful ESPA. My first time at one. Hopefully not my last. Attended a cocktail event, saw some 125 carat diamond. As well as a little old lady wearing a multi-million-dollar brooch, being trailed by a sales assistant holding her two handbags -- one, a multi-coloured LV shoulder bag; the other, a mini Hermes Kelly with a GIANT miffy keychain hanging from it. Ate at that Kill Bill restaurant. FaceTimed Foxy for the first time! Worked out how to use those machines that dispense food receipts in restaurants, all in the name of a croquette curry. Decided to start another blog, about eggs. Shopped in Shibuya, got chided by an Opening Ceremony staff member for touching the display plates. Acquired three Pierre Herme macaroons at prices so exorbitant I could have an entire lunch for less than the price of one. And somehow made it back home to enjoy those in bed, in Hong Kong.

Louis Vuitton presents "100 Legendary Trunks" iPad Application

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Mon, 28 May 2012 01:30:00 +0000

There’s something inherently cool about having a trunk lying around in the apartment or bringing on with you when you go on vacation. Maybe it’s the perception of retro glamour. Of course, I don’t relish the idea of lugging it around but in my imaginary scenario there’s always someone who carries it for me. And since I don’t really see this happening soon, I’m going to satisfy my craving for trunks with the newly launched Louis Vuitton iPad app where you can voyeuristically check out some of the brand’s iconic trunks such as the bed-trunk made for the explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, trunks for the illusionist Harry Houdini or the fashion designer Paul Poiret, the suitcase for Elizabeth of England, the vanity case for Sharon Stone, the artist’s trunk for Takashi Murakami. Don’t have an iPad? Check out some of the behind the scenes material in the above video.

Oceans '12

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Sun, 27 May 2012 10:36:00 +0000

Helping my co-worker Vivienne spread the word about this fundraising bash she and a bunch of other cool people are organizing. The second annual Oceans '12 supports conservation charities Ocean Recovery Alliance and Sea Shepherd Hong Kong, specifically targeting issues such as the plastic vortex, unsustainable overfishing, and cetacean slaughter. The $300 door charge ($250 if you buy in advance, online) will gain you entrance to the party at Volar after 9:30pm on June 8. More info here!

Bag Lady: Stella McCartney Alice neon resin box clutch

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:00:00 +0000

I can't quite get enough of resin box clutches... you may recall the Charlotte Olympia one I loved before and say this is similar especially with the colour but regardless, I still love this Stella McCartney Alice neon resin box clutch and still want it!

SHOErotica: Versus Decollete Patent-leather and Mesh Pumps

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:15:00 +0000

Ice cream time!

Get them at net a porter.

Hey Sailor from MAC

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:30:00 +0000

Feast your eyes on MAC’s Hey Sailor collection, a massive 40-piece collection that gears up for the summer months of junk trips. From lipsticks, eye shadows, lip glosses, lip and eye liners, nail polish, bronzing powders, mascaras and brush, Hey Sailor dons on the something for everyone hat. What do you think? Makeup overload or will you be picking some of the items to spruce up your summer makeup collection? Available June 1.

Waddup Wasson

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:56:00 +0000

The undisputed queen of effortless cool; the girl every blogger wants to be, whether she's Rumi Neely or one of the hundred Rumi wannabes. The girl who made not washing your hair the chicest thing on the planet. The girl who made no-makeup makeup a thing. The girl who made other girls ruin all their best jeans trying to achieve the ultimate cut-off shorts. The girl whose face fills the rest of this blog post: piercing eyes, long limbs, flawless abs, tousled hair and indescribable It quotient. Ladies and gentleman, Erin Wasson.

Images: Fashion Gone Rogue

Al Fresco Sunday Brunch at Kowloon Shangri-La

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Food and travel guest blogger hkLifestyleGeek gives us her next scoop on fantastic restaurants.

If you're on the Kowloon side looking for a laid-back place to dig into some Sunday brunch, look no further than Tapas Bar at the Kowloon Shangri-La. It's a cosy bar area behind the lobby and it opens up to the harbour area for some al fresco dining. The day we went it was a beautiful day, the sun made an appearance and we even got a slight tan outside. Pedestrians walking by will look on with envy as you dig into some gourmet dishes presented buffet style.

There's an international selection of goodies, starting with freshly shucked Coffin Bay oysters from Australia, sushi and sashimi, and freshly sliced Iberico and Serrano ham. Enjoyed the juicy plump scallops speared with young asparagus stalks, while the organic greens are refreshing but there's there seem to be four mystery dressings as they weren't properly labelled.

Other items include black olive tapenade with snapper in vinegar, and a cantaloupe, chorizo and artichoke salad that were delish. We also loved the marinated olives and aubergine, tuna cubes, and cheese fans will appreciate the selection on the cheeseboard, with most soft cheeses.

But wait -- we haven't gotten to the mains yet.

You can choose from the Boston lobster, chopped lengthwise and roasted, paella with mussels and Serrano ham, and the sinfully decadent beef tenderloin with a giant piece of panfried foie gras on top. The grilled lamb chops with pesto was excellent and a good small portion considering we were already almost full.

Brunch isn't complete with dessert, and again there's a tempting array of sweet finishes to the meal. They're all small portions, so it's only too easy to try all of them.

The vanilla creme brulee was excellent as well as the white chocolate pudding with red currant and mango, and of course the fresh fruit platter. Other desserts include coconut agar agar and hazelnut cheesecake.

Prices for the brunch are as follows: Without wine it's HK$398 per person, and then with wine it's either an additional HK$150 for four choices or HK$280 for the sommelier selection of six wines.

Tapas Bar Sunday Brunch
Sundays and public holidays 11am-3pm
Kowloon Shangri-La
64 Mody Road
Tsim Sha Tsui East
Kowloon
2733 8756
www.shangri-la.com

Going for the Golding

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Tue, 22 May 2012 06:43:00 +0000

We're past the days of the Victorian era, when it was only proper for a lady to don a hat for a stroll to town... And sometimes I think it's a shame that we've dispensed with such formalities in our wardrobes. Like when you get a load of Awon Golding's perfectly sophisticated headwear. I don't tend to be a lover of the chapeau for practical reasons (as if I don't wear enough ridiculous stuff to the office) but if I were, I would be very enamoured indeed of these elegantly proportioned pieces, large enough so they don't have that "not a barrette, not quite a hat" syndrome going on, but discreet enough that it's not like some colourful beast is trying to eat your face.

Items available at Hatwoman.

Food Revolution Day Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

This past Saturday was Food Revolution Day, a concept by Jamie Oliver where the purpose is to encourage people to avoid processed food and making real food again by cooking. The talented e_ting decided to take it upon herself to do a Hong Kong event that celebrates Food Revolution Day and single handedly put together an awesome cooking event held at a new private kitchen called Culinart in Wong Chuk Hang.

Chef Stanley Wong (who's cooked at Jean-George Vongerichten’s Spice Market in New York, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong) demonstrated how to easily put together salads and pastas in less then five minutes while using organic vegetables from Au Law Organic Farm and Bon Vivant Organics alongside organic pastas. After a short cooking demo, we settled into a long table (there were about 30 of us so I do mean long) to enjoy lunch while learning about biodynamic wines from Romain Comte of La Truffière and happy beef that run free at the Cedar River farm distributed by Angliss Hong Kong Food Service. There was also a delicious tasting parmesan cheese dip as well as the most adorable fresh bread baked in flower pots. All in all, was a great experience with a group of foodies.

I’m certainly guilty of throwing processed food (frozen dumplings has been a staple of my diet since college days) thinking it’s much quicker and faster but once you actually see how little time it takes to prepare everything and with the summer months approaching, I might just try to recreate the salad even when I come home dead tired after work. Click on to see photos of the food we ate (which I’m just stealing from my Instagram feed) and also a recipe for the warmed castelluccio lentil & faro pasta salad with organic honey dressing and goat cheese.

Warmed Castelluccio Lentil & Faro Pasta Salad with organic honey dressing and goat cheese recipe

1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp organic honey
1 tsp cider vinegar
1 tbsp organic olive oil
2 tbsp castelluccio lentils, cooked (or canned)
½ cup faro pasta, cooked
1 sprig thyme
½ cup rocket salad, washed & dried
1 pc crottin goat cheese
1 tbsp spiced almonds, crushed
1 slice parma ham, dried in the oven, crushed

1. Combine mustard, honey and vinegar, then using a whisk incorporate the oil. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

2. Warm lentils in a pan, then add the pasta and thyme.

3. Mix the rocket with the dressing.

4. Place the lentils & pasta on a plate then top with rocket salad.

5. Crumble the cheese around the salad, sprinkle with nuts & parma ham crisps.

6. Drizzle some additional olive oil over the salad and grind some black pepper on top.

Got Wood?

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Mon, 21 May 2012 06:00:00 +0000

A little bit obsessed with these driftwood lamps from Tree. I already have one (from Indigo, actually) as well as the most beautiful raw whitewashed wooden dining table from Tree, so maybe those two items will one day make love while I'm out of the house, and 40 weeks later I'll come home and see a litter of driftwood desk lamps from Tree.

Loewe x Antonio Ballester Moreno

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Mon, 21 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

I love Loewe videos. They are so fun and quirky from the Amazona that was blown up to wonderfully whimsical Christmas video by Gary Card. Now there’s another one that celebrates the annual crossover that the brand does with a Spanish artist. This year, they have invited Madrid-based artist Antonio Ballester Moreno to work with them on their new line of silk Mantón de Manila scarves, the traditional shawl that Flamenco dancers wear. With colourful patterns of flowers and birds, the video just makes me smile and is the perfect thing to get rid of the Monday blues.

SHOErotica: Casadei Blade Heel

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Sun, 20 May 2012 03:39:00 +0000

The first pair of luxury-brand heels I ever bought was a pair of black Casadei leather pointy-toe pumps with a bamboo stiletto heel. It was all about the bamboo, those days. That and going into severe debt as a jobless college grad who needed a pair of cute, confidence-boosting heels in which to go to job interviews.

Some decade or so later, Casadei offers a silhouette that would totally fit the same purpose, but might scare your interviewer a bit, too. The blade heel is both delicate and deadly, with an acute pointed front that shows the perfect toe cleavage (the only cleavage you can show in an interview and get away with it). That this one is in shiny patent black gives it a little fetishistic edge, like: "These shoes match the whip and cuffs I keep at home, you naughty boy. Now give me that job."

Get them at Farfetch.

Bag Lady: Louis Vuitton's Epi

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:26:00 +0000

You all know that bright colours make me drool so what better way to showcase the gorgeous colours of Louis Vuitton's newest Epi than with a black and white film showcasing model/artist/architect/graphic designer, Claire Courtin?

Restaurant Review: Amber

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Food and travel guest blogger hkLifestyleGeek gives us her next scoop on fantastic restaurants.

Amber recently made the S. Pellegrino Top 50 Best Restaurants list this year again and it's no surprise why -- Chef Richard Ekkebus is constantly striving to improve and create new dishes that surprise and delight his customers. Ekkebus likes using a lot of Japanese products in his dishes as well as organic vegetables and line-caught fish to practice sustainability in his restaurant. Before our meal began we were treated to a deep-fried whiting fish that was filleted and then deep-fried tempura style garnished with a kind of mayo and radish. It was so light and retained the fresh fish flavour.

Next was the famous -- or infamous -- foie gras lollipop covered in raspberry and beetroot gelee that goes down so easily it's tempting to ask for another! But we haven't even started the dinner yet!

The first dish had two components: the top of the dish revealed a thin bruschetta with tomatoes, olive oil caviar and greens that was alternatively crunchy and smooth, while the underneath was a sayori needle fish painstakingly decorated with tomato and zucchini circles and one caviar on each piece garnished with more olive oil caviar, lying in a bed of tomato water. It sounds complicated, but really it's simply delicious.

Next up was roasted wild Suzuki seabass accompanied with organic heirloom tomatoes with the cutest little baby squid that were sweet and crunchy. Ekkebus is always aware of playing with textures that makes his plates so interesting and gives taste buds a full workout.

Next came his version of paella featuring rice-shaped pasta called puntalette, with shellfish, chorizo, tomatoes and asparagus in a light creamy sauce topped with a large thick piece of seaweed.

Then we moved onto more heavier dishes. The duck foie gras was first steamed then charcoal grilled with virgin pistachio oil, complemented with salt-roasted beetroots in cherry juice and hibiscus reduction. As Ekkebus explains, the hibiscus sauce cuts through the foie gras nicely and we like the use of cherries instead of the typical apple or pear.

Probably the highlight of the evening was the very young spring lamb rack, roasted with cumin that was so so tender it almost melted in the mouth. The outside of the lamb was wrapped in a thin layer of crispy sweetbreads and accompanied with asparagus, morels and mustard seeds.

If you have room you can have a selection of cheeses that come fresh from France, mostly soft cheeses and goat cheese.

Or you can go straight to dessert.

A refreshing palate cleanser is the pink grapefruit and campari sorbet over hibiscus jell-O. Yes, Ekkebus is really into his hibiscus, and why not? It's exotic and has a tangy flavour.

Finally the last dish of the evening arrived, not before our stomachs were full to the brim. We loved the construction of the sponge cake at the bottom, white chocolate rolls on top, a crunchy caramel wafer then topped with earl gray milk tea sorbet. More texture playing came to mind with this dessert that was very light and scrumptious to the last bite.

Ekkebus' keen interest in experimenting and concocting new tastes are recognised as one of the best in the world; and if you have a chance, you should try Amber out too.

Amber
7/F, Landmark Mandarin Oriental
15 Queens Road Central
Central
2132 0066
www.amberhongkong.com

Geek Gab: Victoria Beckham

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Wed, 16 May 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Victoria Beckham walks into the Peak Suite on the top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong. Nine reporters watch as she teeters in, the heels on her six-inch Louboutin Daffodils as pin-thin and precarious as her own legs. Apologies for her tardiness -- a mere 20 minutes, standard waiting time for any interviewee, much less a former pop star-turned-WAG-turned fashion designer -- precede the strange query, "Is the floor slippery?"

We, the nine reporters, look at each other. Is this a rhetorical question? Have we been granted permission to address her fashion highness? Is the floor actually slippery? How would we know? Is she genuinely afraid of falling, or is this a carefully calculated question intended to show us she's just a normal gal?

Reporters, traditionally, aren't the reticent sort, but prior to the interview we have been sent strict directives regarding this group interview session: do not be late. Do not send us questions. These are the questions that will be asked. They will be asked by a moderator. If you ask questions, you will be promptly hung, drawn and quartered. (Actually, more like the interview will end promptly for yourself and everyone else, and you will be held responsible for ruining this opportunity for eight of your competitors who will thereafter shun you for life.)

I'm used to having questions banned, having eyes narrow when I ask the questions anyway, receiving post-interview emails from PR reps asking me not to run particular quotes, having stories run only after approval by the interviewee... but this actually makes my job easy. So I don't have to send in questions. I don't have to be prepared. I don't even have to try my best to ask questions in an engaging manner so that afterwards I can show off that I got a quote that nobody else could, or so that I can pretend Mrs Beckham is my BFF after a strictly supervised 15 minute Q&A session. This could be fun.

And it is. After ascertaining that she won't slip or trip in the 10 steps of space between the doorway and the wall of couches, VB crosses the distance, somewhat less confidently than you'd expect given her photo fierceness. She asks where she should sit before plopping down in our midst, instead of as we expect, on the single armchair adjacent to us. She suggests we start the interview while the models strut down the function room in her new Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection (that, by the way, is the reason for her visit to our fair town).

And so the PR Cher, standing just off to the side of us, begins addressing the questions. And in this specific context, Beckham is a dream interview. She's well-rehearsed, but casual. Her legs are crossed, and one Daffodil pump dangles off her foot. There's a Coke (Diet, I presume, but there's no way of knowing) in her right hand, which sits on the couch next to her. She clutches it rather tightly, either because she's worried it's going to spill, or because at any moment we could attack her with our hands, or worse yet, illegal questions. It's a fair concern.

The questions, yes, are generic, but that's because this is about Lane Crawford its launch of the Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection. And as much as we want this to be about how David is in the sack, or which Spice Girl she hates the most, and how she managed to affect a total image change from ironic Posh to actual posh (accent almost incuded)... it's really about the clothes.

And the clothes, they're good. The mainline Victoria Beckham is streamlined, minimalist, sleek and sophisticated. Victoria is younger, funner, with more prints and easier silhouettes. There's drop in waistlines as well as the price point, and while Beckham can hardly be credited with bringing back the pencil dress -- like Roland Mouret's garments, her pieces are perenially flattering, rather than seasonally important -- her drop-waist dresses could very well be her first step in trend-setting, which makes tons of sense because, as both designer and ambassador constantly in the public eye, she's in a very unique position to set trends herself.

The whole experience, by the end of it, has been rather... pleasant. At the end of the interview, the always outspoken Kawai, TimeOut's fashion editor, ventures a compliment. She loved VB's shoot with the avant-garde Chinese photographer Chen Man for Harper's Bazaar China. Beckham is just slightly taken aback, as if she cannot believe someone dared to breach the code. Except that Kawai hasn't -- yet. She's about to, though. Why did you decide to do that shoot, put yourself out there in China, she questions? It's a tame enough question, the boldness inherent just in the fact of asking. To her credit, she answers it politely ("I just wanted to do something different"), as well as the two other questions posed by other journos who've summoned nerve in the wake of the first transgression. Is it your first time in Hong Kong? No, but the last time was with my parents when I was 13. What's with the cat print? It's fun and girly. (But she has a dog at home). All the while, one of VB's team edges inch by inch into our vision, declaring, after the third stolen response, that they are grateful for our time. The interview is over. With a gracious goodbye and a repeated warning to beware the floor (a model tripped on it earlier, she clarifies), she is gone. Her final words are apt: "be careful" -- because despite risk-taking leaps in career and design, that's ultimately what Victoria Beckham is. A careful interview subject, in control of every bit of her empire. A considerate designer, no doubt born of years of being snapped by the paparazzi from every angle. A control freak, by her own admission. And without a doubt, a very savvy businesswoman.

The full transcript from the interview follows.

How different is the main line woman from the Victoria woman?
You'll see lots of dresses that bridge the gap between the two collections. I think it's the same woman, but then I also think there's going to be another customer as well, because the prices are more affordable. With the first collection of the Victoria line, in the space of a few days, Julianne Moore wore a dress, Michelle Williams wore a dress and Celine Buckens wore a dress. That's an example of three women -- different shapes, different sizes and completely different ages -- that can all wear the same collection. Julia Roberts wore a dress the other day. So that's the great thing about the Victoria line. It's my existing customer as well.

You design for yourself. Is this practical approach part of your success?
One-hundred percent. I'm designing things I want to wear -- I think I know what women want to wear; how they want to feel and look. I think that that is an enormous part of it. And women can relate to me. I'm a designer who loves women, and I want to give my customer what she wants.

Do you think that you have already proven critics wrong at this stage in your career?
I never went into this wanting to prove anybody wrong. I just wanted to do what I love to do. I'm very lucky to have a job I love. I think the reviews have been great, I think the industry has welcomed me and I'm very appreciative of that. I'm constantly wanting to better myself.

How do you handle the pressure of the industry?
I think there's pressure on everybody, no matter what industry it is. It's a lot of work, but then I love what I do. I've got four kids, and I work. But it's no different for me as how it is for other women that have children and work.

When did you find yourself as a designer?
Probably in the last few years. I don't look back at anything and cringe. I look back and think that everything was good, at the time.

What are your fashion rules -- your dos and don'ts?
Fashion rules...I think to dress in a way that suits you. To be appropriate for your shape, size, age, is important. I never like to get too much out -- if I'm wearing a short dress, then I like the top to be covered. If I'm wearing something that might be a little more daring or challenging on the top, then I don't like to get too much out. But I think that's just modern, as well. Is it modern to wear something that's super, super short and super, super plunging? I don't think so at the moment. Leave something to the imagination.

How would you define your own style?
I would say that it's quite European, though I do like to get influenced by all the different countries that I'm fortunate enough to travel to. It's not overly complicated. I'd say that it's quite chic -- I'd actually say that it's quite French, my taste and my style. And I want to stay true to myself. I'm not trying to be anybody other than myself.

And what are the things or people that inspire you?
Goodness, I get inspired by so many places. My family inspire me, my husband inspires me. I meet so many amazing people, I'm really lucky.

What do you think of the Asian customer?
I'm really excited to be in Hong Kong. We've been in Beijing for a week and I'm excited to be here. Asia is a very important market for me. I love Asian women, I find them very chic, at the forefront of fashion. They understand fashion; they appreciate fashion. I think this market gives me the opportunity to have fun as well. I'm very aware when designing clothes how much everything costs. I have to be very aware of that sort of thing. And I was talking with Andrew Keith from Joyce, and he was saying that I have the opportunity here to do exclusives, which is very exciting. I want to have fun, I want to experiment with different things that maybe in other territories I can't do for various reasons. It's an exciting place. I woke up this morning, and the view out of my window is incredible. I wish I was here longer, I definitely want to come back and bring David and the kids because it's really quite breathtaking. I want to get out and see more. I definitely think Hong Kong could influence what I'm doing, and I'm just scratching the surface at the moment. One day, obviously, retail would be a dream come true. The first one would obviously be London, and we're also looking at e-commerce, but I'd love to have a store here one day. I get the feeling from the women that I've met here in Hong Kong and Beijing, they really love fashion and they're passionate about fashion, and they want something different. And they look great. I did an in-store event with Joyce in Beijing, and there were a few Chinese celebrities that came and the best customers. And I was absolutely blown away by how the women look. Though what I do caters to a lot of shapes and sizes, the women here, they have the most incredible physiques that actually work really well with my designs.

The last question -- as a working mother, is there anything that you haven't done that you'd like to? Where do you get the energy to do it all?
There's lots of things that I want to do. Business-wise, I want to expand in every category that I'm currently in. I'd love to do knit, I'd love to do separates, I'd love to do tailoring. There's lots that I want to do, but I want to do it properly. I'm very hands on, I own everything I do, I don't have any licensing at all. And so, I want to do everything in the right way. I'm a control freak, but in the nicest sense of the word -- not a mean one, I'm a nice one. And I'm just really passionate about what I do, and I want to reach out to as many women as I can, whether that's Asia, whether that's America, whether that's Europe, and just make women feel good about themselves. To make women feel beautiful. There's lots of things I want to do. I've just designed a Range Rover Evoque with Range Rover which has gone down phenomenally well. People have responded really positively to that. I like to think outside the box and do different things, that make people say "Why a car? You're not a car designer." Why not a car? I came from a different industry, it wasn't the fashion industry. Why not do a collection? I think it's a very modern approach, very innovative to think outside of the box, do different things. And that's what excites me, that's what I like to do. But make sure it's done properly, done in the right way.

Image of Victoria Beckham shot by Chen Man for Harper's Bazaar China from Makeup4all.

Warehouse Sale: Pedder

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:40:00 +0000

Pedder sales will be the bane of my wallet's existence yet please please keep them coming!

Nail Files: China Glaze Hunger Games Collection

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:30:00 +0000

Been meaning to post this as soon as I got the polishes but somehow, it had slipped my mind. So after waxing lyrical about the colours I wanted to get in this post when I saw the actual collection, I realised I wanted other colours as the green and orange were amazingly similar to other colours I had. (The orange in particular is very similar to the OPI orange from their Burlesque collection.) So the two I have on here is Stone Cold with a smattering of Electrify on the tips. Stone Cold is awesome. It's a gun metal grey similar to OPI suede colours and so doesn't last as long but looks real pretty. Electrify, much like other glitters, is a bitch to take off but on the other hand, it also means it lasts forever and a day so I'm currently using it as my pedi colour since I am lazy and can't be bothered to change pedis as often as I do manis. A little tip on removing glitter polish, I've found that soaking cotton with nail polish remover, then wrapping aluminum foil around each finger for about five minutes make removing glitter easier. So there you have it, my desire for the Hunger Games Collection is satisfied and so I move on lusting after other collections.

Cupcakes & Coupons

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

Went to the Shopbop event, at which spring/summer trends were introduced. Most of us already know about the encyclopedic shopping site; heck, many of us are on it every other day. But as if I didn't have enough addictions, the event gods furnished us with cupcakes and a shopping coupon... which I may or may no have used within four hours of receiving it to buy that T by Alex Wang skirt and neon La Mer wrap watch. Thanks, Shopbop!

Off to Tokyo today for work, have fun this art week without me!

And It Was All Yellow

noreply@blogger.com (hkShoeGeek) — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Alba Prat's sophomore collection is that perfectly awkward marriage of awkward and hip. Feels very Scandanavian, a kooky aesthetic that's really starting to grow on me. PS, those mittens are awesome.

Images: Trendland

Monki Festival Collection

noreply@blogger.com (hkFashionGeek) — Mon, 14 May 2012 01:00:00 +0000

I don't know why when I see this collection, the song Summer Nights from Grease immediately fills my head. Maybe it's the vivid colours, the bright blue skies last week and the fun quirky graphics on towels and flip flops. Either way, I likey. Monki is great for fun accessories and outfits, my only complaint is that it's alllll the way over at the dark side and so my visits to the store is far less frequent than they should be. Ah wells, just means I spend more each time I'm there right? MONKI HK STORE Shop L1/29-31, Langham Place 8 Argyle Street, Mongkok Kowloon Tel. +852.3585.8026