I love contemporary Asian design but am of a larger size. Can you recommend some quality Chinese fashion designers who stock my size without making me wait for a custom order?
Design Giant, The Peak
The Dictator rules: Sure, if you would just inform me exactly what size you're talking about. What constitutes 'larger' these days anyway? This is one of the few cases where we won't blast you for not checking with the stores yourself. We know size fours who are eyed up by Hong Kong sales assistants, then given unsolicited reassurances that they can find their size. We love the understated, not overtly branded style of local designer Lu Lu Cheng (The Landmark, Central, tel: 2537 7515). Although her sizing only goes up to 10 or 12, this season's tops would accommodate an even larger size. The beautiful, sophisticated designs at Blanc de Chine (2/F, Pedder Building, 12 Pedder Street, Central, tel: 2524 7875) go up to US sizes 14 or 16. It also has a gorgeous store in The Landmark but there's apparently a wider selection in the Pedder Building. Then there is the creative Sin Sin (52 Sai Street, Sheung Wan, tel: 2521 0308). Sin Sin's clothes are made with innovative fabrics and designs and you should be able to find pieces in the larger of her sizes and the occasional 'free-size' items. We'd be surprised if you hadn't already visited Shanghai Tang (G/F, Pedder Building, tel: 2525 7333) but just to remind you, the largest size for their distinctive womenswear is a US 14. You don't want to hear it but the last three take custom orders.
I am looking for a wallet made of exotic skin but costs less than HK$2,000. Do you know any brands that make them at that price?
Snake in Pocket, Happy Valley
The Dictator: You want luxury for less? Who doesn't? HK$2,000 for a luxury item sounds very cheap to us. Make sure you're not cutting down on quality, too. The best options around include Lianca Central (27 Staunton Street, Central, tel: 2139 2989), where well-made snake- skin wallets cost about HK$1,520 to HK$1,800. Reasonably priced local brand FX Creations (Queensway Plaza, Admiralty, tel: 2821 9722) also does snake-skin wallets in a variety of styles and colours for about HK$500 to HK$800. For ladies' wallets, try snake-skin accessories shop Fiona's Collection (HK$1,300 to HK$1,500; G/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, tel: 2581 3968).