A user's guide to fashion

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Published: 12:00am, 25 Nov 2001

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Web-friendly fashionistas are making a favourite of www.antiquedress.com. Devoted to original antique and vintage clothing from the 1800s to today, this exhaustive site was set up by Deborah Burke, an American connoisseur whose collection had outgrown her closet. Her solution was to sell off selected items including authentic Victorian ensembles, Edwardian whites, flapper dresses, bridal gowns, accessories and 'unmentionables' such as corsets, bloomers and antique nightgowns. Other castaways include classic designer items - from early House of Worth and Elsa Schiaparelli to 1980s Moschino and Bob Mackie - and ensembles previously owned by celebrities, socialites and their help. Check out the tiger-print, Yves Saint Laurent jacket once worn by Fran Drescher in The Nanny - a steal at US$825 (HK$6,434). Almost everything comes with a certificate of authenticity and can be ordered online. Log on weekly for updates and additions.

Mad hatter

Hats off to Marie (55 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay), the trend-setting shop that re-introduced Cacharel to Hong Kong two seasons ago, for bringing back another favourite: the eccentric designs of English milliner Stephen Jones. A frequent collaborator of John Galliano, Antonio Berardi and Karl Lagerfeld, Jones' signature style is innovative, irreverent and consistently cheeky. We love his cut-out tiaras (only $650), shapely, leather top hats ($9,500), Eastern Bloc-inspired military caps ($4,250) and black velvet crowns ($7,900). Indeed, one of Jones' hats was recently immortalised on the Royal Post's 45p stamp, where it was worn by English supermodel Erin O'Connor.

Wizard wear

Hallowe'en may be over but the costume drama continues chez agnes b. The French designer has become caught up in the Harry Potter hysteria, launching a new line of reversible, satin ensembles and accessories inspired by the books. They come in black, yellow and purple and can be mixed and matched for role-playing, games or real life. No grown-up sizes, we're afraid - unless adult fans can squeeze themselves into a child's size 14. Prices range from $200 to $1,200. From all agnes b. shops from December.