February saw me back in Hong Kong for the Hong Kong Jewellery and Diamond Expo. Hong Kong is one of those cities which is every changing, and while I had the chance to do a solid swathe of vintage shopping in November, my most recent trip brought me some new finds.
Here they are.
Select-18
18 Bridges St, Tai Ping Shan
I meant to get to this store on my last trip but did not get a chance. I was intrigued. A vintage shop principally dedicated to eyewear. Novel.
This store is a bit of an institution in Soho – a tiny jumble shop which could keep you wandering around for hours. As you walk in, you’re immediately overwhelmed by decades of pop culture, gadgets, cameras, jewellery and eyewear. And so much eyewear: vintage eye glasses, sunglasses and optometry equipment. It’s like a trot through time.
There is a little bit of everything here. It is more vintage and less luxury but there are a few luxe treasures if you look hard enough. Prices are reasonable and there is a great range of 80s and 90s sunglasses in particular – Dior, Chanel, Linda Farrow and Sunday Somewhere all get a mention.
The daily luxe pick: Being the contrarian I am, I didn’t buy eyewear, but I did opt for a gorgeous pair of vintage red leaf motif earrings. Not high-end but definitely statement elegance.
OnceStyleHK
1F, 8 On Wo Lane, Central
This place is divine. It is the sort of place you could burn an inheritance on one-off vintage luxury goods. All the international designers are represented with a particular focus on Chanel, Versace, Moschino and Escada. It is a place where statement vintage luxury hits its straps.
You can spend hours in this gorgeous showroom. It is like flicking through a 1980s Harpers Bizarre.
Prices are quite expensive but the items are high quality, rare, and in excellent condition. Many still with the tags on.
The boss lady pick: An Escada navy jacket with gold stars and matching clutch. Unreal quality and very unusual.
Label Chic
Flat A, 3F, Gough Plaza, 33 Gough St, Central
This is another stunning, open, well-lit showroom similar to OnceStyleHK, however it focuses more on recent preloved luxury as opposed to vintage luxury. This store has a varied range of international fashion houses with a particular focus on French fashion houses.
The owner Heliose is knowledgeable and super helpful. She has that effortless French chic style which I am more than a little jealous of.
The items in this store are quite reasonably priced and are in excellent condition. Head to this store if you are looking for a recent chic luxury find.
The Daily Luxe pick: A stunning pair of red and white canvas Sergio Rossi pumps. Had they been a size 38 they would have definitely come home with me.
May’s fashion
282 Queen’s Road, Central.
This one is not for the feint-hearted, nor for anyone who likes a well-organised and well-lit showroom. That being said, it does have some amazing finds for a patient fossicker. May’s is essentially rows of vintage luxury clothes, accessories and furs crammed in an attic above an antiques shop in Sheung Wan. Many mid and high-end designers get a mention, and notably, there is a good range of Chanel suits carefully stored in garment bags and in excellent condition.
Like all stores of this type you need to wade through plenty of stock to find your treasure but it is well worth the wait. This shop is perfect if you like a rummage and want to pick up an unusual vintage find. Prices are cheap. Space is limited.
The Daily Luxe pick: I picked up a stunning vintage Escada camel hair oversized blazer. In love.
Update
I went back to Green Ladies in Wan Chai for a rummage. I managed to pick up a stunning pair of Chloe lambskin flat heel ankle boots. These are in excellent condition and are the perfect addition to my casual winter wardrobe.
I also visited Vintage 1961 again. They had a stunning pair of 1980s dragonfly inspired bejewelled articulated earrings which I just had to have. These will be excellent for a vintage fashion shoot.
