Help! The zip on my favourite vintage dress burst open while I was out one night. I managed to move it up and down until it re-aligned but don't want to strip in public ever again. Do you know of a good alterations place that could replace it for me?
Strip Tease, Mid-Levels
The Dictator rules: Mmm. Definitely not a good look. Head to Perfect Dress Alteration aka Ann and Bon (2/F, Melbourne Plaza, 33 Queen's Road Central, tel: 2522 8838). The coiffed tai tai clientele with their designer bags should be assurance enough that these guys know their stuff. The highly experienced tailors charge relatively reasonable prices. They'll need to see it before they can tell you how much it'll cost but expect to pay HK$140 to HK$160 to get it fixed within four to five days. The lesser-known Maggie Fashion Alteration (2/F, Tower 2, Admiralty Centre, tel: 2528 2555) does good work for slightly less money. It'll charge about HK$90 and up and finish the work in about four days. Fabric, lining and intricacy of cut will affect the price. Finally, always ask to see what kind of zip they will use and buy your own if necessary.
I'm lovin' all the leather these days but it's a bit too much for me. I reckon just a few nice leather bracelets or something with metal studs or details might suit me better.
Looking Leathery, Kennedy Road
The Dictator: Woo hoo. Don't get too wild there, lady. Next, you'll be dancing on bars and riding a Harley. The best selection of leather bracelets we've seen is at teenybopper trend chain Maple (106 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, tel: 6133 4022). They come in various widths and styles, from plain leather to faux diamonds to metal studs (HK$29.90 to HK$189.90 each). For leather bracelets that wrap around the wrist several times and come in different colours, try Initial (HK$190; Queensway Plaza, Admiralty, tel: 2442 1373). For understated leather goods, we love Lianca (27 Staunton Street, Central, tel: 2139 2989), which has simple, chic leather bracelets (HK$190 for 5mm width or HK$230 for 12mm width) and embroidered styles (HK$1,190 to HK$1,990). For a good selection of black leather goods with silver embellishments and closures, Thomas Sabo (HK$390 to HK$2,790; 1/F, IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2295 3585) is a good bet. For branded names, Bottega Veneta (Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2918 1792) has placed its weave on a bracelet (HK$1,150 to HK$2,610) - instead of the usual bags and wallets. The men's section of Yves Saint Laurent (Times Square, Causeway Bay, tel: 2506 3226) also has several choices (HK$950 to HK$1,650). Understated but recognisable, there is, of course, the Collier de Chien studded bracelet by Hermes (HK$9,300; The Lee Gardens, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, tel: 2907 2974). Even the usually minimalist CK Calvin Klein has slapped its name on leather and metal bracelets (HK$650 and up; Times Square, tel: 2510 5260). Things get even more exciting if you switch to online shopping at sites such as www. maxandchloe.com, whose massive assortment of jewellery includes the brands CC Skye, LK Designs, Ettika, Vita Fede and Presh.