I’m a big fan of Balmain’s work. I love his clothes and perfumes! So when I heard he did hair products I rushed to the store to get some, but they weren’t there. Was it all just a dream?
Haute Hair, Tai Tam

The Dictator rules: Ah, how you make me laugh and laugh. Have you never heard of licensing deals, my dear? Monsieur Pierre Balmain, who founded his couture house in 1945, has not been with us since 1982. Since then, many designers have created and shaped collections under his name, including Oscar de la Renta and, now, Olivier Rousteing. Now to shatter your illusions. They all have massive teams of designers working for them across all categories. When it comes to beauty, everything is created and operated separately, though the creative director might have a say in the direction, development and final selection. So, yes, there has been a licensed Balmain Hair brand for years, and it’s most famous for its hair extensions, actually. You’ll find its products at hairdressers such as Private i Salon (IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2526 4488), which sells a selection for about HK$150 to HK$260, or HK$1,000 for a deluxe set. Before you make any purchases, you might want to get informed at www.balmainhair.com, where you’ll find full descriptions of all the shampoos, conditioners, treatments and styling products. The Mandarin Salon also offers a small selection of the products, plus a hair-extension volumising service (price upon consultation; Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, tel: 2825 4800).

I love, and practically live in, DVF wrap dresses. In my experience, there’s nothing more comfortable or flattering for my shape, even long after having kids. However, I’ve become quite annoyed by women saying, “Oh, I have that, too!”, or even worse, being at the same event with a woman in exactly the same dress. I know DVF invented them, but are there are any other places where I can get wrap-style dresses?
Forever Wrapt, Central

The Dictator: What? Like Levi’s is the only place you can buy jeans? Of course you can find wrap dresses by someone other than Diane von Furstenberg. But it doesn’t sound like you’re too concerned with being “in fashion”, if you don’t mind me saying. Actually, I don’t really care if you do mind. You sound more like an Anne Klein kind of woman, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Her pretty collection includes faux wrap dresses, meaning they are sewn in place but give the effect of a crossover, with belt ties at the front (HK$3,200 to HK$3,600). Or were you thinking more basic? Nothing could be simpler, or more affordable, than American Apparel’s cotton interlock wrap dress (HK$390), which comes in a range of solid colours. Last season, Banana Republic offered the Gemma wrap dress (from HK$585 to HK$750), which is still available. Or if you want to still be recognised, but for a different label, go for Pucci (from HK$8,750 to HK$25,700) or Vivienne Tam (HK$2,750 and up).