A user's guide to fashion
Cheap and chic It's so last season ... and we love it! Outlet shopping, domain of only the most dedicated bargain hunters, is going overground. Joyce has opened another warehouse in prime, Causeway Bay retail space (G/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, tel: 2895-4225) in addition to its longstanding location in Ap Lei Chau (Marina Square, South Horizons, tel: 2814-8313). There are some great buys - items start at 50 per cent off their original price with further reductions every two months - in addition to the usual oddities from labels Comme des Garcons and Martin Margiela. Did they really expect to sell these things? And to whom?
I.T's sale shop (Basement, Sun Arcade, Tsim Sha Tsui) also has its share of shameful secrets. If you think some of the stuff it sells at retail is weird, check out the Japanese selection on the '90 per cent off' rack. Best buys include accessories - there are some great Helmut Lang shoes - and the occasional collector's item. If you're into Miu Miu, there's a large selection from many seasons past.
A fan of S.T. Dupont, Charles Jourdan, Polo and Kenneth Cole? These labels are discounted by up to 90 per cent at the Dickson warehouses in Sha Tin (4/F, New Town Plaza, tel: 2681-1882) and North Point (G/F, Olympia Plaza, 243-255 King's Road, tel: 2907-1068).
Not all outlet shops are designer. Chain stores such as Replay (7/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, tel: 2736-3303), Esprit (Basement, Sheraton Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2311-1273) and Ice Fire (Kowloon City Plaza, Carpenter Road, Kowloon City, tel: 2382-1794) sometimes sell new styles (with small defects) and one-off samples as well as old stock at their outlet stores. Best to call in advance because opening hours vary.
Hair piece The premise might seem suspect: a thick coffee-table book devoted to a single hairstylist. But if anyone is deserving of such an honour, it's Guido Palau. Part of the Brit pack (other members include David Sims, Melanie Ward and Kate Moss, above right) that rose to fame in the early 1990s, the cutting-edge coiffeur is the subject of Heads: Hair By Guido. The book includes styles such as the one modelled by Marianna (above left), who can make even helmet heads look good, and thankfully, there's not a blow-dried bouffant or Aniston shag to be found. The book costs $225 and is available from Page One locations.
Face lace Ever wonder what it would be like to have lace eyebrows? Neither did we - until Fred Farrugia, the makeup man behind Lancome's image and advertising campaigns (above), came up with one of this season's strangest accessories: eyebrow appliques. Originally created for the catwalk, they are now available for mass consumption from a Lancome counter near you ($200 including glue and remover, below). According to the instructions, all you have to do is apply some cosmetic glue, wait 15 seconds, and then stick the 'kit dentelle' directly onto your eyebrow, following its natural arch. Sounds easy enough until it's time to take them off. Ouch!