Impatient to see the styles of next season? If you trot along to the Cheung Sha Wan Plaza (833 Cheung Sha Wan Road, next to Lai Chi Kok MTR exit. Open: 10am to 9pm), you can buy from the same fashion wholesalers as high-street shops.
More than 60 wholesale garment and accessory retailers are clustered on the third floor of the mall and flocks of clued-up tai tais sweep through the centre at weekends, looking for the latest styles and bargains. Prices are likely to double or even triple once the products reach the regular boutiques, and if you and your friends buy in bulk you can occasionally enjoy even better bargains.
Chinese & Arts Company (Shop 329, tel: 2383 0826) offers hand-made crochet and knit outfits and is frequented largely by French and Italian fashion buyers. Each of the intricate garments takes a skilled worker three to seven days to make, a fact that is not reflected in the price tags. Crochet skirts and strappy dresses start at $120 and come with soft satin lining in a dazzling array of colours (the pastel shades are perfect for summer). For more dressy affairs, opt for the burgundy or black beaded crochet evening gowns embroidered with gold or silver silk thread (from $250). Matching chiffon shawls and scarves start at $150.
Golden Best (Shop 322A, tel: 2959 1287) sells a wide range of handbags, totes and briefcases, in both genuine or synthetic leather and exotic animal skins. Highlights include snakeskin handbags (from $300); camel or horsehair covered bags in electric colours (from $400); and Italian leather duffle bags and cabin-size holdalls (from $300). The Engs'Burg line of pastel-coloured clutch bags (from $300) is regularly stocked in local Japanese department store Jusco.
If you are having a hard time finding leather gear that fits, head for Rego Leather Co (Shop 306, tel: 2359 4129) which makes bespoke garments out of Italian leather, suede and soft sheepskin. Bring along magazine clippings for reference and your order should take around a fortnight to complete. The store also stocks ready-made items including leather boob tubes and bra tops for $500 and men's motorbike jackets, waistcoats and pants from $600.
Cartoon fans will love Dominique Fashion Wholesale (Shop 354A, tel: 2785 1733) which stocks pyjamas, Lycra tops, hooded shirts, windcheaters and denim jeans for adults adorned with the likes of Betty Boop, Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse. Prices are around $100 for tops and $250 for bottoms.