alternative shopping in wanchai

The Blue House in Wanchai is one of the prominent landmark in the area. It refers to a 4-storey balcony -type tenement block located at 72 to 74A Stone Nullah Lane. This is one of the few remaining examples of Tong Lau of the balcony type in Hong Kong. If you are planning to check the Blue House, you can visit a secondhand items store (unknown name in English) and the Green Ladies.

The unknown secondhand items store. You can almost everything and anything in this place; from clothes, shoes, bags, CDs, DVDs, books, photo frames to plates, toys. Bought few books here and each book cost HK$10 each (about RM4.20 or US$1.30). Pretty cheap, right?

If you fancy designer or branded pre-loved items, after the Blue House, keep walking straight ahead until you see a red and white building with the name St. James' Settlement at the end of the road. The entrance to Green Ladies is at the ground level but clothing items, shoes and bags are located on first level.

Green Ladies

Address: G/F, St. James' Settlement Headquarters, 85 Stone Nullah Lane, Wanchai

Telephone: 2831 3204

Website:http://greenladies.sjs.org.hk/ENG/main.html

Opening hours:

Mon to Fri: 12.30 noon to 7 pm

Sat: 12.30 noon to 6 pm

Hope this gives you an idea of alternative shopping options in Hong Kong, particularly in Wanchai. Have a great weekend everyone!

vintage outfit: pink necklace with dark turquoise skirt

the outfit: top, vintage necklace, cardigan, vintage thrifted belt, vintage skirt, pumps

I am glad that spring is here although it has been raining a lot lately. Can't wait to wear vintage outfits and start posting outfit posts! This was my outfit for work on Friday. I love the how the pink necklace and dark turquoise vintage skirt pops out from the outfit. Definitely ready for Spring!

Have a good weekend and stay chic!

exploring north point, hong kong island

 

Map of North Point from Google Map 

In this post, I will be introducing North Point (Hong Kong Island) to you as off beaten shopping track (if I may say so). Areas like Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay are always packed with tourists so for those who loathe crowded places and enjoy shopping in less crowded places, North Point may be an option for you. So, what are in store in North Point for you? 

If you are looking for bargain, you can check out Esprit outlet and Nike Factory Store. If you love to check out affordable merchandise from Japan, there are two Living Plaza store in the area (all HK$12 merchandise store). And if you love to thrift, there is Salvation Army Family Store (but to set your expectation, there are not many vintage items here).

Metropole International Departmental Store

 Esprit Outlet

416-426, King's Road, 3/F, North Point, Hong Kong

Living Plaza 

 Portion of B/F, Metropole Building, 416-426 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong

North Point Family Store

G/F, Fok Ying Building, 379-381 King's Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Operation hours: Mon - Sat; 9.30 am to 8.30 pm, Sun: 2.00 pm to 8.30 pm 

Living Plaza

Shop B26-B28, Basement, Hom World, Provident Centre, 21-53 Wharf Road, North Point, Hong Kong

Operation hours: 10.00 am to 10.00 pm

Nike Factory Store

G/F, Shop G3-G5, Homeworld, Provident Centre, 21-53, Wharf Road, North Point, 

Hong Kong

One area to check off from my list. Stayed tune for more posts on stores to visit!

Have a good weekend everyone!

 

Further readings and references:

http://www.esprit.com/storefinder_map.php?id=1868396

http://www.nextstophongkong.com/outlets/esprit-outlet/

http://www.aeonstores.com.hk/chi/index2.htm 

http://www.salvationarmy.org.hk/en/about_us/center?service=family_stores

vintage store: select 18

At this eclectic store, you’ll find tables topped with jewelry, clocks, watches, fur coats, old cameras and even Barbie dolls. If you’re in the market for some signature spectacles, head to the back of the store and admire one of the city’s best selections of vintage eyeglasses. - See more at: http://hk-magazine.com/hong-kong-shop/select-18#sthash.BJgXFxQU.dpuf

It has been so long since my last vintage store hunting. I have been meaning to check out Select 18 for a while now however, in my first adventure back in 2102, I was unable to find the store. Must have read the map wrongly. Since then, I did not make any effort to find the store. Only lately, whilst checking my 'to do' list, I have decided to give it another try. I am glad, I did.

What can you find here? Vintage bags, vintage glasses, memorabilia, vintage luggage, costume jewelry and few vintage furniture to name a few. Would recommend this store for vintage lovers or anyone who is looking for one of kind pieces.

Details of the store:

Address: Shop A, 18, Bridges Street, Central, Hong Kong

Telephone: 9127 3657

Website: www.facebook.com/select18

I fell in love with this white shabby stool.... but it did not come home with me.

white shabby stool from Select 18

If you are planning to visit Hong Kong, do include this store into your itinerary. Opposite the store is Oolaa restaurant. Have a scrumptious breakfast or brunch at the restaurant first and then check out Select 18. 

That would not be my first and last visit to the store, definitely would visit the store again either just to window shop or to shop.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!Till my next post, stay chic and stylish!

At this eclectic store, you’ll find tables topped with jewelry, clocks, watches, fur coats, old cameras and even Barbie dolls. If you’re in the market for some signature spectacles, head to the back of the store and admire one of the city’s best selections of vintage eyeglasses. - See more at: http://hk-magazine.com/hong-kong-shop/select-18#sthash.BJgXFxQU.dpuf

At this eclectic store, you’ll find tables topped with jewelry, clocks, watches, fur coats, old cameras and even Barbie dolls. If you’re in the market for some signature spectacles, head to the back of the store and admire one of the city’s best selections of vintage eyeglasses. - See more at: http://hk-magazine.com/hong-kong-shop/select-18#sthash.BJgXFxQU.dpuf

the iconic 2.55 bag

In the early 1920s, Coco Chanel has decided to design a bag that would allow her to use her arm freely due to her frustration of having to carry her handbags in her arms during social events. She added thin straps which were inspired by the straps found on soldier’s bags and introduced the resulting design to the market in 1929.

After her successful comeback to the fashion industry in 1954, Coco Chanel updated the bag for modern women. The bag was created in February 1955, thus the name 2.55. Since then, the Chanel 2.55 flap bag has become the iconic to the Chanel brand.

In commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the 2.55, Karl Lagerfeld launched the Reissue in February 2005. The Reissue 2.55 design is exactly as the same as Coco Chanel 2.55 design. 

source: www.chanel.com

The features of 2.55 flap bag:

- Quilted diamond or herringbone pattern on the exterior. The pattern is believed to have been inspired by few sources for instances; by jockey’s riding coats, by the stained-glass windows of the abby at Aubazine and by the cushions in Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment. 

-    - The front lock is called the Mademoiselle Lock (rectangular shape) because Coco Chanel was never married.

       - All chain shoulder straps. 

      - The backside of the bag has an outside flap. 

      - There is a zippered compartment inside of the front flap. 

-     - Burgundy lining which is believed is the colour of the uniforms at the convent where Coco Chanel grew up. 

 - Different type of leather which is made to seem to be more worn or vintage like leather.

The sizes for Chanel Reissue 2.55:

     - The baby – 7.5 inches (W) X 5.75 inches (H) X 1.75 inches (D)

     - Small – 9.75 inches (W) X 7.06 inches (H) x 2.16 inches (D)

     - Medium – 11 inches (W) X 8 inches (H) X 2.5 inches (D)

     - Large – 12.25 inches (W) X 9.18 inches (H) X 2.5 inches (D)

     - Extra Large or Jumbo – 14.2 inches (W) X 9.8 inches (H) X 3 inches (D) – rare 

Over the years, there are many variations to the 2.55 design such as the material; leather or fabric, the chain; metal or interwoven leather, the flap; single or double and the closure; mademoiselle or interlocking CC (which was introduced in 1980s by Karl Lagerfeld). In short, the 2.55 refers to all flap-style bags, including variations of the original. The term classic flap is generally refers to the flap bag with the interlocking CC lock and the leather interwoven chain. 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanel_2.55

http://stylefrizz.com/200712/short-history-of-the-famous-chanel-255-bag/

http://www.wikifashion.com/wiki/Chanel/Bags/Chanel_2.55_Bag

http://www.purseblog.com/chanel-bags/chanel-classic-flap-bag-vs-reissue-255.html