Maybe there is something to be said for the much-despised trickle-down theory of economics after all. As Hong Kong continues its Yupward Mobility, the charity shops selling secondhand goods are scaling the ladder too.
Natalie Foong of Conduit Road wanted to give some clothes away. Instead of just handing them to her maid, she decided to see if she could help a charity, and phoned Oxfam Hong Kong.
Oxfam: We have two outlets in Hong Kong but we have stopped accepting donations in one because there are already too many clothes. The other outlet is still open but only for designer labels.
Natalie (after an amazed silence): What do you mean by designer labels? Oxfam: Put it this way, we do not consider something like Benetton a designer label.
Natalie: Then what do you really mean? Oxfam: The things they sell at Joyce we would consider.
Natalie: What about a brand like MCM? Oxfam: No, the tai-tais told us MCM is last on the list. So, no, we would not consider that a designer label.