Ten years ago, if a fortune-teller had told me I would be purchasing HK$7,000 shoes online without trying on the actual product, I would have said he or she were mad.
Fast-forward and now any brand worth its salt is flogging goods online, whether it's Chanel, Burberry or Hermes. This month the one that started it all, net-a-porter.com, which just sold a majority of its shares to financial conglomerate Richemont, announced it would be launching a multi-brand designer boutique dedicated to the guys.
Mr Porter, which will be out in time for the spring/summer season in January, will offer Net's signature edit of international designer labels and niche specialist brands including Lanvin, YSL and Rick Owens, as well as editorial and style advice. Eat your heart out, ladies.
Taking a more interesting approach to online shopping is Faberg?(yes, of the Faberg?egg fame). The brand, which is relaunching this year with a collection of one-of-a-kind 'art jewels', is forgoing retail space altogether and will sell its bling to customers online through a 'global flagship'. Just browse the website, find a piece that tickles your fancy and fill in a form.
A multitalented 'sales adviser' (apparently they speak 12 languages between them) will then contact you. It's an easy way to spend a minimum of HK$1 million - if you can afford it, that is.
Back to the real world. Tomorrow, Joyce boutique will host a soiree during which it will unveil a special exhibition of photographs to celebrate its latest coup as the exclusive retailer for Chanel's much-coveted Paris-Shanghai collection. Joyce has flown in French stylist Camille Bidault Waddington from London to style 15 high-profile personalities, including Hilary Tsui Ho-ying (below left), Wyman Wong Wai-man (below right) and Fan Bingbing. They were snapped by mainland photographer du jour Chen Man; the photographs will be on view to the public on Friday.