Rarely do I mention about my shopping here nor at my columns, guilty pleasure or not, this is personal issue, no offense. I think it’s a bit vulgar to talk about what one buys. However, my shopping is not the main point at this post, but the Hong Kong spending power is. It’s a good news I guess.
I must admit, I’m pretty lazy these seasons in terms of shopping in any kind, as I’d just do my seasonal purchase from those few brands on top of high street pieces which I try to avoid, because I don’t want to have irrationally shopping with regrets. Last weekend, I was in the neighborhood and thought might as well take a turn to Givenchy shop at Harbour City. Without expecting much from the sale frenzy, little do I aware that the new arrivals are actually here already. I had my eyes on the bondage knit, it comes in turtleneck long sleeves or vest styles, and the bondage details is supposed to be at the back, but the sales associate was sweet enough to suggest to wear it both ways (circled at far left). The turtleneck was a no go, but the vest was really fitted to the point where’s a bit tight even to skinny me. Sadly they’ve only ordered size S or S+, not M or L. I instantly speed dial Harvey Nichols and Lane Crawford at the Givenchy shop, but they don’t have the style. I then checked with Joyce boutique, only to find out the style was completely sold out, I stood there feeling shocked, thinking when was the last time I heard something was sold out at the very beginning of the season? At the end, I had no choice but opted for size S and something else.

Blimey. The lace up trousers in wool are over HKD25,000 at retail.

I then went across the harbour to check out Joyce in Central, the men’s department was quite happening. No doubt the new arrivals attract their loyal customers. Stingily though, they only put out three expensive Balmain homme tees on rack but not the rest, I assume the SAs hide them at the backroom for VIPs and regulars. Not that I have huge interested in this season’s Balmain, ‘cos they’re so talked about and hyped up to the point where’s uncool  to me now, but I think it’s so unfair to non-regulars (but old chum).
One can easily tell the Hong Kong’s shoppers are working it again which is good, but I hope it’s driven by real fashion lovers, not mainland Chinese tourists or stock market investors this time. My feeling is ambiguous, do you want the scene healthy or be tasteful? Why do these against each other in this supposedly sophisticated market? Is this a sad fact we have to accept?