The pouring rain did little to dampen the spirits of women shopping for a good cause yesterday morning, when more than 1,000 designer handbags sold within an hour on the first of a three-day charity fashion sale to raise funds for Sichuan earthquake victims.
The sale at the Mandarin Oriental, organised by jeweller Patti Ho, offered more than 3,000 articles of clothing and more than 1,000 brand-name handbags, from Chanel to Hermes to Christian Dior and Gucci.
All were donated by tai-tais, including tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun's third wife, Chan Yuen-chun, and their daughters; Yvette Yuen Wing Man-wai; and Susan Tang Yew Zoe-chi, mother of Chief Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen.
Organisers said all proceeds would go to the Salvation Army for earthquake relief. A seven-digit sum was expected to be raised.
Ms Ho said that apart from raising money for the victims, the sale helped recycle used clothing.
Organising committee member Danny Lai Ping-pui, the hotel's executive assistant manager of guest relations, said many women had helped organise the sale.
Hundreds began to queue before 8am for the sale's 11am opening.
