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Kavita Daswani

HERE is the latest accoutrement for trendy tai-tais; a heart-shaped watch from Yves Saint Laurent given to 10 'social celebrities' at a luncheon recently.

The style divas - including the ubiquitous Ruby Tong and Yvette Yuen - received the red-strapped timepieces at a launch for new YSL accessories. Priced at about $1,300, the watches are probably the least expensive trinket owned by these ladies who lunch who also habitually drop hundreds of thousands of dollars at Bulgari and Cartier.

Still, no doubt none of their other watches can boast a dial displaying the name of the designer in what the PR blurb describes as 'a warped vision'.

mature taste A MINI-SHOW was held last week to showcase the new St John collection - a US line delicately described as being 'for the more mature customer' (think overstitching, sequinned jackets and rhinestone buttons).

Barely were the outfits back on their racks than women began whipping out their Amex cards. By the end of the night, 40 suits were snapped up, with another 15 reserved. They are not cheap either - prices hover around the $20,000 mark.

un-covered AN ANONYMOUS tip for reader Brad Warren, who wrote in a few weeks ago after spotting the ultimate designer accessory; a matching cover for a Ferrari sports car.

A correspondent known only as 'A.W' confesses to being the car's owner, plus all the designer goodies that Warren glimpsed.

For the record, Mr A.W wants to point out the goodies did not come free with the Ferrari. Instead, he had to have it made to 'protect my car from unsavoury pollutants thrown up into Hong Kong's atmosphere'.

A.W. thoughtfully enclosed the name of the car cover maker - a Hong Kong firm appropriately called 'Specialised Car Covers'. Fax them on 2564-5459 for a quotation.

jobs for the girls HERE is some industry gossip; one of the two most-coveted jobs in high-fashion PR has just been snapped up. Chanel has reportedly found someone to replace long-standing PR person Cecilia Tsang, who left the French company in February.

The new Cantonese-speaking incumbent apparently has a background in both journalism and fashion PR - which should help her fill Tsang's highly rated spot. The mystery lady comes starts in July, with her first semi-official appearance at Chanel's trunk shows at the Grand Hyatt on July 3 and 4. Byt the way, Chanel head office in Manila is scouting for extra talent, so those with any aptitude in luxury fashion should get their CVs in.

One prize position left is that at Louis Vuitton, vacant after Caroline Roberts' departure. Apparently, Vuitton has not been short of applicants, but still can't make up their mind.

One source claims Vuitton is not just looking for language skills and fashion experience, but also a high glamour factor and strong social connections.

No shortage of candidates for that? 'Yes,' the insider said, 'but she would need to to have brains too.' A tough call.

now and zen HONG KONG fashion designer Vivienne Tam has just opened a flagship store in New York. The designer set up shop in trendy SoHo a few weeks ago, with an interior described as 'an environmental reflection of the Zen Modern approach that Vivienne applies to design.' Inside the shop, it is as Oriental as it gets: antique wood screens, dressing rooms reminiscent of Imperial Chinese palaces and 'guardian' Fu dogs.

What's more significant, however, is that shoppers can find something for US$100 (HK$776) - this for clothes that Women's Wear Daily declared as 'really something special' and The New York Times called one of 'the strongest collections yet'.

laud cardigan Barney Cheng's embroidered viscose cardigan has made it to the list of seasonal 'must-haves' in Allure magazine - alongside a top by Fendi, a trouser ensemble from Jean Paul Gaultier and a terry-toweline outfit from Chanel.

'I guess I am the only unknown in the group,' said Cheng, a little modestly.

But not if Liza Minnelli has her way: the American entertainer commissioned Cheng to do a couple of dresses for her during her recent Hong Kong visit.

'All she knew was Sam the Tailor, so I think she expected me to make her a gown in 24 hours,' said Cheng. She got it in 48 hours - and it was a black charmeuse sheath cut to the navel.

Minelli also suggested Cheng help her repair and catalogue her collection of Halston dresses, which she intends to donate to a museum. Barney is going to be a very busy boy.



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