All my life, I've used supermarket brands like Woolite for washing my delicates. Any suggestions for a more luxurious, delicious-smelling wash for my smalls and cashmere?
Clean Thoughts, Wan Chai
The Dictator rules: I file these sorts of questions under, 'Just looking for another reason to spend money.' Enough said. We adore A.P.C.'s Fine Fabric Care, made in collaboration with Aesop (HK$299; A.P.C., 24 Wyndham Street, Central, tel: 2537 6993). Made for hand-washing or delicate cycles in washing machines, it's scented with lemon, cedar wood and petitgrain. Gorgeous. Of course, one of the most extensive speciality fabric-care lines is by The Laundress and includes: signature detergent (HK$260), fabric conditioner (HK$220), crease release (HK$110), denim wash (HK$240) and many others (Lane Crawford Home Store, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2118 3668;
www.thelaundress.com). Lane Crawford also carries luxury detergents in Tocca's scents (HK$160) and Agnona's white soap (HK$500), formulated specifically for cashmere.
Have you really exhausted all the supermarket options? We like the subtle scent and environmentally conscious ingredients of Ecover, including its delicate wash (HK$56.80; ParknShop, for locations, go to
www.parknshop.com).
I'd like a pair of those pants with the ruffly bit at the bottom. Are they Prada? Is there a cheaper sort about?
In the Ruff, Hollywood Road
The Dictator: Unless we're talking about freakishly long underpants or long johns, let's be very clear and call them trousers, shall we? Instead of 'ruffly' you might find it helpful to use terms such as bell-flared or kick-flared. You'll be glad to know that the wool-crepe trousers in question were made by Miu Miu (HK$6,850; The Landmark, Central, tel: 2523 7833), Prada's slightly less expensive sister, for its 1960s-influenced autumn/winter collection. The good news ends there, though, as they have mostly sold out in Hong Kong and worldwide. Locally, we uncovered just one pair in a size 42, so you should call before skipping gleefully to the boutique. Customer service being what it is, they might not think to check other stores for your size, so remember to suggest it. We usually have other suggestions but no such luck this time. The only passable alternative would be Jill Stuart's flared leggings (HK$795; Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong, tel: 2265 8060). Even then, they only have the grey ones left.
And no, flared dance pants from The Lanes won't have the same effect, so don't even try it.
I'm looking for one of those long necklaces that have stones but with a gold chain in between each one, if you know what I mean.
Unchained Quandary, Sheung Wan
The Dictator: Amazingly, yes, I understand what you would like to buy. Tayma recently put out a gorgeous collection of these in lengths of 18 to 24 inches with a few gemstone combinations, including rose- cut moonstones, tourmalines and citrine (HK$10,900 to HK$26,500; Prince's Building, Central, tel: 2525 5280;
www.taymajewellery.com). One of our favourite jewellery brands from Italy, Pomellato, has done them in handcrafted rose gold with amethyst, smoky quartz, prasiolite and rock crystal, but with the extra detail of the Arabesque collection's gold pattern on the back of each stone (HK$102,200; Lane Crawford, IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2118 7777).
The triple-strand Colette necklace by Pippa Small features raw rubies, quartz, aquamarine and chalcedony (HK$47,500; Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, tel: 2118 3668;
www.pippasmall.com).
OK, so not everyone has that kind of budget. How about HK$900 for Kate Spade's versions in gold-plate and black, red or diamond-like colourless bezel-set crystals (HK$900 each; IFC Mall, tel: 3188 1928)?
