Sister and Brother websites and other amusing findings

Hello! Another random post by Delilah before I start noting down my favorites from the current F/W 2011 Fashion Week. I've been online quite frequently these days since there's no school next week (thus, no assignments due and time to slack off...not exactly what I should be doing) and I noticed how quite a few new websites have started up: some are sister or brother sites of its well-known counterparts and others completely started from scratch. Let me take you on a brief guide to the new fashion-related sites out there.

Type 1: Retail Therapy

Mr. Porter

Brother site of Net-a-porter

Fashion Focus: Designer fashion for men (obviously!)

BHLDN

Sister site of Anthropologie, thus also a part of the Urban Outfitters Group

Fashion Focus: Bridal
Sooo pretty! Very non-traditional, yet remains really graceful.

Type 2: For the Curious Fashionable Soul

Where to Get it?

Seems to me, it's brand new. No affiliations.

Fashion Focus: Getting the online fashion community to hunt down what you want and where you can get it

Type 3: Street Fashion with a Brand

Need I say more? Basically, it's a NewLook/Chicotopia/Weardrobe type of website where people can post up pictures of their outfits, except this time, since the websites are started by various brands (such as Zara and Uniqlo) the people are wearing pieces from the brand. 

Zara People

Zara tries to attract fashion lovers by awarding those with selected outfits, after rounds of selection, with a monetary prize. The perks of it are that you must have at least two Zara items in your outfit and I'm not certain if this offer extends outside of Europe.

UNIQLOOKS

Uniqlo basically has a Where to Get It? vibe going on. You get to see people from all over the world show off their outfits and UNIQLOOKS will let you know if that particular piece is available in stores near you.

Hope you have a great weekend web-surfing :)

Baby Steps to Becoming a Fashionista

As random as it is, I'll dedicate this post to my baby cousin, S, who learned how to use her first Gmail account this Monday. She's eight years old and she's tiny! I don't think she's more than130cm tall and she'll be a budding fashionista one day, I'm sure of it. Last summer at the Zara sale, she immediately grabbed a grey silk kiddie romper and said "I WANT THIS!" Haha, that was the moment when I realized "this kid might have potential!" Note: Zara kids is absolutely adorable but a wee-bit pricey. That romper was on sale for 200HKD and that's the equivalent of an item from TRL.

Anyways, this is to the baby fashionistas out there: YOU'RE SO CUTE!

Delilah's Baby Cousin, S

Photo by me :)

Alexander Wang's Niece

Cuteness! I wanna hug you so badly!

Sisters in Marc by Marc Jacobs on the Streets of Paris

I told my friends that I'd buy these dresses for whichever person that has a baby girl first. I got a list of requests on Facebook the next morning. Haha. Let's they don't remember that.

Photo Source: Alexander Wang's Niece, Marc by Marc Jacobs Sisters on the Streets of Paris

Mass Elitism: Starting with the Birkin

Who knew Karl Largerfeld's idea of Mass Elitism would come true so soon? Bringing luxury to the masses. I used to think only Karl had the ability to do that, but it doesn't seem to be the case. There's a huge Hermes Birkin bag fettish all over the world right now and when I looked farther into it, there's actually quite a few sources. The basic idea is to print the Hermes Birkin bag on a canvas bag, thus everyone can get Birkin bags at cheap and affordable price(plus the environmental damage caused by dying leather bags would also be lowered and canvas bags can be made of organic materials). So there you have it, low prices, environmentally friendly and very classy and stylish. Here are three sources I've found so far.

Banana Taipei

in French Honey Camel

From Taiwan, this bag reaching the hands of fans all over East Asia. I would know because I just helped my aunt get one. We put in an order for a Supper Champagne Grey one late December and it finally reached us earlier this week. I had actually seen it on the streets earlier but decided not to buy one after finding it in nearby boutiques. The good thing about it is that the size is similar to the original Hermes Birkin, great for school, books and A4 files, the handle is also printed on, theres a magnetic button inside, and there are ten colors to choose from. But on the minus side, you have to be really careful about keeping it clean if you buy a light colored one. The price is around 400RMB to 590HKD including shipping in the East Asia area(I'm not sure about the price in Taipei).

Picture from: Facebook Banana Taipei

Official Site: bananataipei.com

TATA Baby Birkin

From Japan, this is the one that's REALLY hard to get a hold of. I can't even find an official site. I know it's from Japan for sure and available for purchase at a boutique called Liger in Hong Kong. There's quite a few pro's about the TATA Baby Birkin: the material is waterproof, the printing is very detailed, there are various sizes and colors, and there's an extra cross shoulder strap! But on the other hard, the TATA Baby Birkin is the most expensive of the three options. I've flipped around and found that auction sites are selling them at 3400HKD and my aunt gave me a heads up saying it around 3000HKD

Picture from: Savvy Mode

Thursday Friday Together Bag

in Blue

From the US, this is a much more simple version compared to the Banana Taipei and TATA. Nonetheless, it conveys a similar message. Three colors: red, blue, and camel. Available online for 35USD and ships everywhere (which is REALLY convenient for people in the US, Canada, or Europe because the other two do not ship that far yet). It's similar to the large original Hermes Birkin size. The longer straps are easier to through over your shoulder.

Picture from the Official Site: ThuFri website

So, what would you say?

Yes or no to a new canvas look-a-like Hermes Birkin?

As awesome as it is, I think I'll keep looking first.

All for now!

Delilah

Holiday Dressing

Departing from my Balmain obsession for just a bit, all this holiday spirit has really gotten to me! Especially when I'm in Asia, where people don't celebrate Thanksgiving! But I've got tons to give thanks for, and I sure don't mind an extra week of holidays, especially when I was on the verge of collapse last week. (the after effects of too much work still remain: shoulder pain, eye strain, bad skin, ouchies what a horrible experience), Nonetheless, I treat myself towards the holiday spirit buy lots of online retail therapy (my Juicy Couture bag during Juicy's online sale on sale offer, I can't wait to get it! It's currently with my friend in the US because Juicy doesn't ship internationally. And my many purchases on taobao.com, China's ebay network, I can't wait to get all that jewelry in my hands!). It's surprising how the internet shopping trend is on a rise. Asos is doing free international shipping all holiday season and the Outnet had a free international shipping weekend last week. And Google's opened boutiques.com. I wonder if that means I don't need to go out shopping anymore. I doubt it. It's not the same when you get to feel the textures and try the items on :)

Anyways, I came across these dresses when flipping through Nasty Gal's latest lookbook on facebook. And I thought "these dresses would look awfully good during the holiday season!" Simple colorful sleeveless dress. Very cute, young chic, with a bit of a vintage-y vibe. Yet bright, silky, and very structured for a formal holiday dinner.

BB Dakota 

Halsey Dress and Winsor Silk Dress

Both dresses available on Nasty Gal's site: Halsey Dress and Winsor Silk Dress
Words of wisdom (and those of a thrifty shopper): It's cheaper on Nasty Gal then BB Dakota's site! Plus you can try to getting it during Nasty Gal's special sale periods.

Enjoy!
Delilah :)

these shoes are knockin' on heaven's door

In continuation and in addition to Knock on wood by Jeisa

In response to Jeisa's post about these wooden shoes that are popping up all over the SS 2011 collection, I decided to add some of my own picks in this wooden shoe trend. I actually had a huge obsession for clogs this summer. Wooden clogs to replace those straw platform sandals that I've seen way too often. I thought that would be a nice replacement, no? Plus wood can withstand rainy weather and not fall apart (unlike my ancient straw platforms that shredded apart after that sudden short rain shower one night). So, personally, I think this wooden shoe trend is here to say. Get ready to throw out those gladiator sandals and find some space for those clogs, wooden boots and all those wooden heel shoes that are available. Here are some of my picks that lean towards the affordable side (btw, in no way am I advertising for these companies or brands, these are just my personal preferences I've found so far)...

Jeffrey Campbell

Phone Platform Oxfords

Broome St. Wedge

Less wood, less chunky option: Lexie Platform Pump

pictures from and shoes available for purchase on shopnastygal.com

ZARA

 Wooden Sandal with Cross Straps

Vamp Sandal with Strap Wood
I swooned over these shoes for the longest time in Europe, during my summer trip. I told my mom again and again: I'm gonna get this, no matter what you say! (My mother's a very "comfort-oriented" person, so wedges/clogs are a big "no, no" in her opinion) I ended up hoping to buy these shoes in HK (*shhh, I wouldn't need to let my mom know!) but ZARA in HK didn't seem to carry these shoes. Darn!

pictures from and available for purchase on Zara's UK online shop

Swedish Hasbeens

Sky High Peep Toes

Covered Super High

the Autumn and Winter Option: Lace-up Boot High

pictures from and available for purchase on swedishhasbeens.com and urbanoutfitters.com

Next question: How will you match these shoes for the upcoming and present Autumn/Winter season? Well, before it gets too cold, I suggest a long cardigan, long t-shirt of any sort, and skinny jeans with a pair of wooden sandals. Since wooden sandals generally have a ankle strap, you can roll up the bottom of your jeans or khakis to show off your pretty new shoes. The Swedish Hasbeen boots are good for those cold winter days, wrapped up in your down jacket or this year's preferable military jackets or shearling jackets. And lastly, Jeffrey Campbell shoes are a good all-year-round option. Match Jeffrey Campbell shoes with jeans, shorts, skirts, and leggings. It'll look good and your shoes would be good for as long as this trend stays.

I'll let you know if I buy a pair of wooden shoes. :)

All for now!
Delilah

the truth about warehouse sales.

Living in Hong Kong, I don't exactly get the sample sales that fashion lovers in New York and London get. However, what we do have are major end of the season sales and warehouse sales all the time. So this weekend, when my friend C. called me up and asked me if I was interested in stopping by the I.T (the shop that French Connection, Izzue, and a billion other brands are part of in Hong Kong) warehouse sale, I thought "umm...why not? I guess I wouldn't mind another pair of shoes and I remembered that I had an email last week about the Pedder Warehouse sale at Times Square. But I also had in mind my past experience at an I.T. warehouse sale, which wasn't all that fun. Most of the clothes there were leftovers and of sizes which no one could wear. However, Pedder Warehouse at Harbour City was slightly better, I got to freely try on YSL heels and Marni glasses without annoying salespeople wandering around me.

But to my disappointment, the  I.T.  sale was no different than my past experience. Way too many people in a room filled with clothes that no one really wanted. Warehouse sales basically look the same as sample sales in other places. You get a big empty room filled with racks of clothes, sometimes tables with clothes folded up, and racks of shoes by sizes. They say that it's market down 90% but really, it depends on the style and the prices. For example, there were a bunch of funky high heeled boots. But the problem was, it's almost spring and the prices were so high (1500-2000HKD, that's around 200-250HKD, for non-designer), that even on 70 or 80% off, you weren't going to buy them. So C. and I just headed towards Times Square for the Pedder Warehouse sales, hoping to find some really amazing shoes. Well, the shoes were there. Lots of Stella McCartney, YSL, Jimmy Choo, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman heels all lined up on shoes shelves. separated by sizes. All you had to do was go to your shoe size and try them on. But to our disappointment, nothing was anywhere less that 1000HKD. The only thing I found slightly reasonable was simple beige Marc Jacobs leather tote at 4000HKD, marked down from the original 13,000HKD but still, I wasn't going to spend that much money at one go on a bag that I didn't have my mind set on.


So, there it is, my weekend at warehouse sales. To tell the truth, I really don't suggest anyone to go to these sales, unless you're really into something and you know that you'll find it there. Otherwise, my suggestion would be to RUN the moment you hear that the store you like is on sale and get whatever you like and think is at an appropriate price. Everything outside your budget can wait till the prices are market down (Zara does this a lot, so it's definitely worth the wait). Other than that, you can also try boutiques (which are readily available in Hong Kong, and a lot of places in Asia) or online shops (eg. Ebay, Taobao in China, Urban Outfitters online). There's a great selection out there, so warehouse sales don't have to be the solution to your shopping frenzy. Have fun!

the end marks a new beginning

I'm not sure if all you hong kong-ers out there know, but the one and only Sephora in Hong Kong (on Sai Yeung Choi street) is closing by the end of this month! Like many of you, I am shocked too. My first mascara was from Sephora. My bestie bought me a whole set of stuff from Sephora for my birthday last year. And it's always been a fun place to poke around, try their many scents and shades of eyeshadow, and sporadically bring home an eccentric color of nail polish from.



However, although Sephora's gonna be leaving Hong Kong (I wonder what they will do to those lists they have outside shops of all the different cities that have Sephora), there's on thing we can all look forward to... the final sale! With prices down by 70%, it's a good time to stock up and try out all things you wanted to buy oh so badly but never had the chance to dish out the money to do so.



After class today (yes, I occasionally have class on Saturday. ugh), I decided to check it out Sephora myself. After (almost) an hour of major poking around, eyes searching wildly over the store for best finds, I headed to the cashier with items I simply could not resist. I could have bought lots more (blush, extra black eyeliner, funky dark shades of lipstick) but I decided to hold back and buy things that I would more likely use and have not tried before.

As the salesperson rang up the receipt, I stared at the prices... 10 hkd... 20 hkd... 50hkd, and the salesperson finally said "100hkd, please." I never thought I could get that much for 100hkd (less than 13 USD) at Sephora. So I was all smiles on my way home. Now I've got shocking dark pink, metallic magenta, and glittery black nail polish, extra blue eyeliner (trust me, it looks good. Maybe I'll show you next time), and lots of make-up remover for future use. hehe. With new make-up, my goal now is to find ways to use it! With ten days left, it's really time to head towards Sephora. So if you haven't been, RUN!

All for now :)