issue 54 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

femme fashion
Elegant show room displaying some
of the world’s most recognized Swiss
brands such as Rolex, Tag Huer, Baume
& Marcer, Omega and Hirsch. On-site
watch repair service and complementary
watch evaluation available. Also carries a
small collection of vintage Rolexes.
Massive and minimalist design-led interior
lets ultra high-end designer garments
stand out. Carries men's, women's and
children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes,
accessories along with home décor.
Brands include Chloe, Marc Jacobs,
Balenciaga, Sergio Rossi and Eres.
Know Your Skin
By Christina Yu
Those who know Ipa-Nima
know we didn’t start producing
leather bags until about
seven years ago. Around that
time I went to a course held
by the British Leather Centre
to learn more about leather.
I was surprised to find how
similar our skins are with
animal skins, and how many
misconceptions we have
about leather. Many who own
leather bags think they should
be as durable as possible
and never fade. The truth,
however, is the complete
opposite — we need to look
after leather in the same way
we look after our own skin.
The best kind of skin is the
top layer, also called aniline.
We buy skin care products
with collagen to ensure our
own skin looks as radiant as
ever. The same concept goes
for leather — the top layer is
the most precious. The best
aniline should have no scars
or marks, and be smooth and
consistent in texture. That
way the texture remains soft
and looks natural. However,
because of the lack of chemicals,
aniline leather is not as
durable as one would think.
In order to keep the leather,
you need to moisturize it from
time to time, and look after it
from the very beginning.
The first step in taking care
of aniline leather is having a
good leather moisturizer and
a good repellant, like Scotch
Guard Fabric Protector. When
you buy your bags, moisturize
them first and then spray
them with the repellant.
Concentrate on the back of
the bag where there may be
more friction. This can protect
it from being scratched easily
or scarred and also from
getting soiled in light rain.
Test your moisturizer on a
small part of the bag first to
see what kind of reaction it
will have on the rest of the
leather.
Do not leave the bag in
sunlight — put the bag in a
shady area of the room so it
will not change colour easily.
Some types of leather, called
a natural crust, may change
to a darker shade with use
and sunlight. This is a natural
progression for the leather
(similar to how our own skin
changes when exposed to
the sun).
Although you may think
your leather bag is defective
because it gets scratched
and scarred easily, the opposite
holds true. Now, you
know your skin.
Christina Yu is the creative
director and founder of
Ipa-Nima, an award-winning
accessories brand. Email
your questions to Christina@
ipa-nima.com or visit Ipanima.com.
Tombo
145 Dong Khoi, D1
Of all the embroidered and sequined
bags, shoes and tidbits (or “Zakka”
shops) that can be found in Dong Khoi,
this shop’s has products that are prettier
than most. Shoes can be custom-made
and the sales staff is friendly.
Umbrella
35 Ly Tu Trong, D1 and 4 Le Loi, D1
Tel: 6276 2730
www.umbrella-fashion.com
Sophisticated boutique showcasing
a diverse range of imported women’s
accessories. Also houses women’s garments
from office wear to cocktail and
party creations.
ACTIVE WEAR
Roxy and Quiksilver
Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1
The original active living and extreme
sports brands, Roxy and Quiksilver products
combine form and function. Choose
from outdoor gear to cool indoor clothes.
TBS Sports Centre
102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan
This store stocks a range of good sports
clothes and equipment from big name
brands such as Puma, Adidas, Ecco,
Nike and Converse.
Volcom
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1
Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brand
from America. Lots of tank tops, minis
and shorts for day tripping with girlfriends
or lazing on the beach.
READY TO WEAR
unisex
BAM Skate Shop
174 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 0903 641 826
In addition to a range of decks, wheels
and trucks, this small shop is stocked
with bookbags, skate sneakers, track
jackets and t-shirts emblazoned with
your skateboard company of choice.
FCUK
127 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 3914 7740
www.frenchconnection.com
Trendy UK brand with a selection of
fashion-forward dresses for women and
smart workwear and funky casual wear
for men, all at middle-market prices.
L’Usine
151/1 Dong Khoi, D1
Lifestyle store and cafe housed in a
period building restored to evoke the
aesthetic of an early 20th-century garment
factory. Carries an exclusive, frequently
refreshed line of imported men’s
and women’s fashion, including T-shirts
and footwear, and a range of unique
accessories. Entrance via the street-level
Art Arcade.
Replay
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
116 Nguyen Trai, D1
187 Hai Ba Trung, D3
Tel: 3925 0252
Wide variety of shoes, clothing, denim
for teens and university-age men and
women. Carries boots, sandals, pumps
and sneakers at mid-range prices.
Runway
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Tel: 3993 9988
runway.sg@global-fashion.vn
Versace
26 Dong Khoi
Designer brand in men’s formal wear.
Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirts
as well as an array of men’s accessories.
Also stocks womens clothing and
shoes.
men
Lucas
69A Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3827 9670
Fashion store housing contemporary
designs in casual, office and evening
wear imported from Hong Kong.
Massimo Ferrari
42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3
Tel: 3930 6212
Bespoke menswear shop also boasts
its own brand of contemporary preppy
attire tailored for the tropics. Carries a
line of European-quality shoes, bags and
accessories designed in-house, as well
as exclusive Orobianco unisex bags,
designer fragrances and eyewear.
Mattre
19 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3925 3412
This local men’s clothes shop has some
funky tops and jeans for more fashionforward
males. Apparel in sizes that fit
the typical Western man’s frame are
often available.
Milano
Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi
www.milanogoods.com
A conjoining shop with D&G offering
a selection of men’s shoes and accessories
with a sideline in women’s clothing.
D&G provides a collection of menswear,
from casual jeans and T-shirts to
uniquely designed suit jackets.
Timberland
Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1
Sells everything the brand is known
for, from heavy-duty boots to tops and
trousers that are both smart and casual.
The emphasis is on muted tones and
unobtrusive logos for men who don’t like
to show off.
women
Axara
Vincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le Thanh
Ton, D1
Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1
21 Nguyen Trai, D1
Tel: 3993 9399
www.axara.com
Carries women’s clothing suitable for
work, weekends or evening. Luxurious
fabrics and simple cuts and styles all at
reasonable prices. Also carries handbags
and accessories.
Balenciaga
Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue
Tel: 6291 3572
Sporting modern shapes and elegant
items crafted from natural, raw and
artificial materials.
BCBGMAXAZRIA
Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,
D1
American brand sells women’s day
dresses and tops, evening gowns and
wear-to-work attire in many prints and
colours. Also carries a small selection of
accessories, sunglasses and watches.
Bebe
Saigon Center, 65 Le Loi, D1
Tel: 3914 4011
www.bebe.com
An international brand that specializes
in contemporary, modern tees and sexy,
elegant dresse, tops and party attire.
76 asialife HCMC