Brett Davis - AsiaLIFE Magazine

femme fashion
Falling for Fall
By Adrian Nguyen
Fall is here at last, and it’s
that time of the year to try on
new trends, create some new
looks and reinvent yourself.
The weather might not be
changing much here, but that
shouldn’t stop you from being
fashionable. Here are a few
starter tips for the season.
Camel Classic. Camel is an
important trend this season.
This time around, you can
even go head-to-toe camel:
evening dresses, skirts,
blouses, tailored pants,
shoes, hats—just go for it! It’s
not often that you can rock a
head-to-toe look, so if you’re
into it, now is the time.
Sixties Siren. The mini is so
yesterday; it’s all about longer
hemlines and fuller figures
this fall. The 60s silhouettes
have swung back into modern
times, so get your Mad Men
DVD and start looking for the
same thing Joan is wearing!
Amazing Lace. Lace always
brings out the sexiness in
a woman, and season after
season lace can be found
somewhere in designers’
collections. This fall, mix
sex-appeal with elegance.
Instead of opting for a dress
that screams, “look at my
junk,” go for a subtle lacey
top with a jacket and tailored
pants and red-hot lips. It’ll
work—whatever it is you’re
working for.
Gentlemen’s Club. This look
is all about the juxtaposition of
masculine tailoring with softer,
womanly lines in jackets,
pants and even loafers. To pull
this look off you need to inject
your femininity into the outfit,
for example, by pairing your
tailored pinstriped jacket with
a strapless floral underneath.
Drape It. If you’re into high
fashion then this should be
your way to strut through fall.
Draping is simply making a
multi-layered masterpiece
from a simple piece of fabric.
Opt for hand-made fabrics—
they always have that luxury
feel, and of course, a luxury
price tag, too. But who cares
about money when you want
to project sophistication.
Leopard. What’s fall without
some animal prints? Currently,
leopard is having a major
moment. The classic way to
wear this is to limit yourself
to one print per outfit, but the
modern rendition allows you
to just put everything on and
call it a “style.” I still prefer the
old way; it was so fabulous
when Audrey Hepburn accessorized
her red-hot coat with
that leopard pillbox hat in the
movie Charade in 1963.
That should be enough tips
for you to get started for the
season, so dress up, take
some pictures and send them
to me!
Adrian Nguyen is a designer
and the owner of the
Valenciani brand. Email your
fashion questions to Adrian.
ngn@gmail.com.
shirts, dresses and more. Also available in
Zen Plaza and Diamond Plaza.
Gaya
1 Nguyen Van Trang, D1 Tel: 3925 1495
Carries a range of couture and pret-a-porter
garments and silk and organza dresses
in vibrant colours created by Cambodiabased
designer Romyda Keth.
Geisha Boutique
43 Ton That Thiep, D1 Tel: 3821 8272
enquiry@geishaclothing.com
Facebook: Geisha Boutique
Australian fashion label offering a contemporary
range of casual and evening
wear with an Asian influence. Printed tees,
singlets, shorts, skirts, jeans, summer
scarves, dresses, silk camisoles and satin
maxi dresses.
Tracey Kociuruba Fashion Gallery
2nd floor, 43 Ton That Thiep, D1
Australian designer Tracey Kociuruba
creates intricately embellished statement
pieces in her Easten-European inspired
shop slash studio.
Kiwi
74/1 Hai Ba Trung
Tel: 3822 1191
Small and intimate shop with a modern
collection of fashion items geared towards
the young and active urban female. The
showroom has a wide collection, from
casual clothing to office wear.
Kookai
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi
French brand stocking classic, feminine,
styles with a twist. Gypsy day dresses and
classic little black dresses at mid- to highrange
prices are perfect for twenty- and
thirty-something women.
La Senza
47B–47C Nguyen Trai, D1
Tel: 3925 1700
65 Le Loi, Saigon Centre, D1
Tel: 3914 4328
www.lasenza.com
Boutique carrying a wide range of bras,
panties, pyjamas, accessories and lounge
wear.
Labella
85-87 Pasteur, D1
This three-storey shop will take care of all
your wardrobe needs: affordable clothes,
shoes, bags and lingerie, all well made
and fashionable.
Le Samedi
21 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3925 5013
Boutique retailing in clothes imported
mainly from Italy and France, from cocktail
dresses to chiffon skirts.
Lulu Lacy
www.lululacy.com
Boutique label featuring retro designs in
high-quality fabrics. Website frequently
refreshed with latest offerings, including
maxi-dresses, tailored blouses and shorts.
Shop online or request a party at your
house.
Mai Lam
132-134 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2733
www.mailam.com.vn
Boutique store housing an eclectic mix of
vintage designer clothes and accessories
made in Vietnam. Specializing in handsewn,
multi-dimensional embroidery, the
re-design of the traditional ao dai and an
army vintage collection.
Mango
96 Mac Thi Buoi, D1 Tel: 3824 6624
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
A favourite with fashion-conscious
women, this mid-range store stocks
clothes from simple tees and jeans to
evening wear.
Marc Jacobs
Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue , D1
Tel: 6291 3580
This spacious shop with high-ceilings carries
up-market clothes, shoes and accessories
from the internationally recognized
designer brand.
Minh Hanh
24 Dong Khoi, D1 and 114B Nguyen Hue
Tel: 3824 5774
www.mhminhhanh.com
Hand- and machine-embroidered fashion
made from natural fabrics and materials
wed traditional Vietnamese elements with
modern trends. Local celebrities frequent
this shop.
Muse Boutique
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Boutique store carries well-known international
brands like Miss Sixty, BCBG, Rock
Republic, True Religion, Tbags and Killah.
Nang Boutique
181 Dong Khoi, Room 209, D1
iheartnang@gmail.com
Houses an assortment of mix-and-match
skirts, floral dresses, chiffon lace-trimmed
gowns and accessories, such as hats,
shoes, bags, scarves and jewellery.
Ngan
23 Ly Tu Trong, D1
The Ngan collection includes high-quality
evening gowns and swimwear made
locally. Also stocks a new line of men’s
casual wear.
Nino Max
189B Hai Ba Trung, D1
A local popular brand of active-casualwear
t-shirts, jeans and khakis. Local pricing.
You can also find their other outlets in
Zen Plaza and Diamond Plaza.
Peacock
35 Ton That Thiep Tel: 3829 7045
Moulin Rouge-themed boutique housing
an interesting selection of women’s
clothes designed and produced in Vietnam,
including dresses, shirts and t-shirts,
as well as jewellery.
Rana Abodeely
Villa Anupa, 17/27 Le Thanh Ton, District
1, Tel:3825 7307
Luxury resort wear in soft, feminine styles.
Made with 100% Vietnamese silk with
signature glass bead detailing. Comfort,
ease and elegance are the main forms of
the collection.
Shae
101-103 Nguyen Trai, D1
www.shaeny.com
New York brand housing streetwear
such as cardigans, dresses, shorts and
accessories.
Signature Boutique
154 Dong Khoi, D1
Houses some of the world’s most recognized
luxury fashion brands: Roberto
Cavalli, Versace, D&G and Missoni.
Song
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
76D Le Thanh Ton
Offers women’s fashion designs by Valerie
Gregori McKenzie, including evening
dress, tops and hats.
Tracey Kociuruba Fashion Gallery
43 Ton That Thiep in District 1, 2nd fl.
Tel: 3915 3242
www.traceykociuruba,com
Eastern European-inspired fashion
boutique with eclectic yet elegant designs
with intricate hand-spun details—50s-style
jumpsuits with bustier necklines, silk kaftans
and high-waisted shorts and skirts.
Valenciani
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Tel: 3821 2788
66-68 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 7302 4688
valenciani.sg@gmail.com
www.valenciani.com
Homegrown luxury boutique carries silk
dresses, velvet corsets, chiffon shawls
and a range of accessories, all designed
in-house.
CHILDREN
Children Planet
90 Vo Thi Sau, D1
Mid to high-range prices for quality apparel,
imported material from Singapore.
Offering from the age of 5 to 14 years old
boys and girls.
Dabs Kids Fashion
222 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3
A good selection of both casual and
formal clothing for kids aged five to ten.
Party dresses, simple T-shirts, trousers
and more are all good quality and very
reasonably priced. Backpacks and other
accessories are also on sale.
DLS Paris
17/5 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1
Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
A superb range of unique and beautiful
clothing for young children (from newborns
to pre-school age) at high to midrange
prices. The quality compensates for
the price. Bedding, baby equipment and
furniture and organic and natural supplies
also kept in stock.
Little Anh – Em
41 Thao Dien, D2
A French brand made in Vietnam offering
a wide selection of colourful, simply packaged
and thoughtfully collated “sets” of
garments for girls and boys from newborn
to 10 years old. Lifestyle pieces also
available include sleeping bags, bedroom
accessories and bags.
Ninh Khuong
44 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3824 7456
83 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 9079
220 De Tham, D1 Tel: 3920 3224
222 Nguyen Dinh Chieu, D3
Tel: 3930 9183
www.ninhkhuong.vn
Well-known hand-embroidered children’s
clothing brand using 100% cotton. Newborn
to 10 years old (girl) and fourteen
years old (boy). Also stocking home linens.
Prices are reasonable.
Small is Beautiful
227 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 38 23 87 54
contact@smallisb.com
www.smallisb.com
This newly opened boutique aims to be
the chic shop for kids in the city. There is a
selection of brand name clothing, accessories
and creative toys. Clothing comes
from international designers such as Baby
Dior, Sonia Rykiel and DKNY.
Tuti Bella
Vincom Center, 70 - 72 Le Thanh Ton,
District 1
75 Mac Thi Buoi, D1
49A Nguyen Trai, D1
Tel: 3993 9088
www.tutibella.net
Self-described as a “chic and trendy
children boutique.” Carries high-end
causal clothes, formal wear, shoes and
accessories for ages 1 to 12 years.
SHOES
Aldo
157 Dong Khoi, D1
Offering a wide selection of affordable
footwear from mid- to high-range prices.
Carries office-appropriate and party-ready
heels and flats, as well as a range of accessories
and bags.
Catwalk
80 Pham Hong Thai
Tel: 3829 6819
www.catwalkshoes.com
Carries a unique range of Spanish shoes
and bags.
Charles & Keith
10 Mac Thi Buoy, 18-20 Nguyen Trai
Tel: 3925 1132
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
www.charleskeith.com
Singapore brand housing youthful and
trendy shoes of a contemporary, high
fashion design.
Converse
186 Hai Ba Trung, D1
148 Nguyen Trai, D1
122 Ba Thang Hai, D10
Tel: 3827 5584
www.converse.com.vn
Sells iconic Chuck Taylor, Jack Purcell and
All-Star sneakers and Converse brand
clothing and accessories. Also at department
stores around HCMC.
Dr. Marten’s
173 Hai Ba Trung, D3 Tel: 3822 4710
Air Wair sandals and shoes here feature
the classic yellow stitching and chunky
rubber soles. Also stocked with clothes
and accessories by Replay and Kappa
tracksuit tops.
Nine West
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Stocks an extensive range of designer
footwear for women. Handpicked by a
global community of independent trendsetters
and stylists.
Sergio Rossi
146AB Pasteur, D1
Rex Hotel, 141 Nguyen Hue, D1
World-renowned Italian brand stocks a
diverse European-style collection of upmarket
shoes and bags made of quality
materials, from crocodile and python
skin laterals to garnishings of Swarovski
crystals and colourful beads.
Star Polo
97B Nguyen Trai, D1
Mix of imported shoes and locally made
footwear crafted from Australian leather
for men and women as well as imported
ones. Sizes from 38 to 42 for men, and
from 34 to 40 for women.
TAILORS
Dieu Thanh
140 Pasteur, D1 Tel: 3824 5851
www.dieuthanh.com
Experienced tailor shop specializes in
swimwear and cotton clothing, as well as
business suits, evening dresses, luxury
fabrics and accessories.
Dzung
221 Le Thanh Ton, D1
One of the most reliable and respected
men’s tailors in town with prices and production
time to reflect the quality of the
workmanship. Shirts start from US $30.
Fabric Street
Hai Ba Trung, D1 across the street from
Tan Dinh Market.
Spools upon spools of fabric manufatured
locally and abroad, with more than
ample variety of textures, colours and
materials to choose from.
Massimo Ferrari
42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3
Tel: 3930 6212
Traditional Italian sartorial techniques
are employed to offer a full wardrobing
service and custom tailoring for men.
Stocked with imported fabrics primarily
from Italy. In-office and workplace fittings
available.
Thuy Nga Design
7 Lam Son Square, D1
Conveniently located at the Opera
House, this local boutique is a one-stop
shop for both men and women. The
range includes clothes, men’s and
women’s accessories and costume
jewellery.
LINH‘S WHITE
PLEASANT LIVING MINIMALISM
37 THAO DIEN
(OPPOSITE AN PHU SUPERMARKET)
67 XUAN THUY - DISTRICT 2
PHONE: (84) - 62819863
- 62818488
E : linhnguyen@hbdecor.com.vn - www.linhfurniture.com
102 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 103