Go West Sloanies seeking cheongsams and Mao jackets will be able to pop round the corner for them when Shanghai Tang opens a London shop early next year. The Sloane Street branch will be followed by shops in Los Angeles and other cities as the emporium expands. We're told the merchandise will be fresh, edgy and unlike the usual Shanghai Tang fare. There will also be an opening party to watch out for. Rock chick Next time you see social heavyweight Theresa Po at some high-profile gathering be sure to slip on your Ray-Bans ... the fabulously wealthy socialite has just bought millions of dollars worth of Chanel jewellery. Chanel's international jewellery director jetted into town recently to deliver personally two of Po's special orders. She happened to have some chunks of jade sitting in a vault somewhere (one of which weighed 56 carats), and asked Chanel to make her a little something to wear. The result was a necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring collection - given the name Fleurs de Printemps - comprising the jade plus rock crystals, diamonds and white gold. Another block of jade spawned a second necklace, complete with 86 rubies, fancy diamonds and South Sea pearls. The total bill was about HK$4 million - no doubt money well spent for Po, one of Chanel's top 10 jewellery customers worldwide, who had apparently asked for something 'out of this world and magnificent', said a source. Meanwhile, Chanel's Prince's Building boutique in Central now has a secluded room for people who want to inspect baubles in 'complete privacy', says Bambina Wise, Chanel's fine jewellery and watches business manager. Chanel surfing We hear local fashion buffs are in a tizz about being unable to find just what they want. It seems every petite, rich Chinese woman in Hong Kong - and there are plenty of them - wants Chanel's hot item of the season: denim/leather jeans. And there isn't a pair to be found. Initial sortie Russell Wong, he of Hollywood blockbuster Romeo Must Die and the man often seen accompanying Flora Cheong-Leen at international events, has ventured into fashion. Wong and Cheong-Leen - a cutter of flamboyant cloth herself - are soon to launch their own menswear label, RGW, sources say. Manufactured in China, it will be available this month. Shhhh ... Another specialist fashion PR and marketing company has entered the fray: Lillian Lim, formerly PR for Prada in this part of the world, is fronting new firm Principesse Asia-Pacific. There are five silent partners - so silent no one knows who they are - but we believe they are social-circuit habituees. There should be some innovative events to follow, so watch out. Net worth Click onto scmp.com and explore some of Hong Kong's top stores at our new Marketplace. You'll find retailers such as Lane Crawford, Paddyfield, Novica, Healthplus and Styletrek, with items ranging from American art, handbags and health products. Simply click on the desired item, pay with your credit card and delivery will be made to your door. Christmas shopping has never been easier. And scmp.com will donate $1 to Operation Santa Claus for every visit to Marketplace when you click on Santa.
