On style, she rules

Reading Time:3 minutes

Published: 12:00am, 3 Oct 2010

I keep reading about that Isabel Marant brand but I haven't seen it in the shops. Is it sold in Hong Kong? What's it like?

Is A Belle?, Island East

The Dictator rules: Wait a second. First you're dying to buy her clothes and only afterwards do you ask what they look like? We're almost disappointed Isabel Marant's collections are effortlessly chic; it would have been fun to see you dressed like a joker simply because you heard it was cool. Since the late 1980s, Marant has been one of the designers to turn to for easy, urban, Parisian style and the kinds of boyfriend cuts that have become cool in recent seasons. Brought to you by the I.T group, there are two standalone Isabel Marant boutiques in Hong Kong, one in Tsim Sha Tsui (1/F, Silvercord, 30 Canton Road, tel: 2375 0727) and one in Causeway Bay (58 Paterson Street, tel: 2808 4698). Expect to pay between HK$1,299 and HK$8,199 for great knits, jeans, jackets, dresses, accessories and more. While in Causeway Bay's fashion hub, be sure to explore neighbouring Kingston and Great George streets, where you'll find shops for brands such as A.P.C., Blues Heroes, Y-3, Rock Candy, Sly, Love Girls Market, Ink and Frapbois.

Help me! Nars doesn't sell that lip stain any more. I hate fussing with reapplications of lipstick or gloss and I look like a pale vampire without any colour on my lips. Where can I get a replacement?

Pale Comparison, Yau Ma Tei

The Dictator: Gosh! You're more worked up than a blood-thirsty vampire. There are more than a few lip stains out there; you just have to know where to look. DuWop's Twilight Venom (HK$180; Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, tel: 3695 3388) was inspired by Stephenie Meyer's vampire empire; a little vial mixes the brand's signature lip-plumper with droplets of blood-like, crimson lip stain. Of course, when we talk lip stains, we automatically think of Benefit's scarlet Benetint (HK$310; Seibu, Langham Place, Mong Kok, tel: 2269 1827) and the pink Posietint (HK$310), not to mention its Pocket Pal with Benetint on one end and clear gloss on the other (HK$210). There are all kinds available, from the affordable strawberry red of The Body Shop's Lip & Cheek stain (HK$109; Langham Place tel: 2625 5587), to the one by luxurious Korean brand, Vidi Vici (HK$330; Seibu, Langham Place, tel: 2269 1765). You could always play the cannibal vampire and bring colour to your lips by gnawing on them for a bit. Or, avoid injury and stain your lips with Robertsons Jelly Powder (about HK$4.20 at ParknShop; www.parknshop.com). The strawberry flavour tastes much better than iron, if you know what we mean.