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issue 54 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

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femme fashion<br />

Elegant show room displaying some<br />

of the world’s most recognized Swiss<br />

brands such as Rolex, Tag Huer, Baume<br />

& Marcer, Omega and Hirsch. On-site<br />

watch repair service and complementary<br />

watch evaluation available. Also carries a<br />

small collection of vintage Rolexes.<br />

Massive and minimalist design-led interior<br />

lets ultra high-end designer garments<br />

stand out. Carries men's, women's and<br />

children’s clothing, swimwear, shoes,<br />

accessories along with home décor.<br />

Brands include Chloe, Marc Jacobs,<br />

Balenciaga, Sergio Rossi and Eres.<br />

Know Your Skin<br />

By Christina Yu<br />

Those who know Ipa-Nima<br />

know we didn’t start producing<br />

leather bags until about<br />

seven years ago. Around that<br />

time I went to a course held<br />

by the British Leather Centre<br />

to learn more about leather.<br />

I was surprised to find how<br />

similar our skins are with<br />

animal skins, and how many<br />

misconceptions we have<br />

about leather. Many who own<br />

leather bags think they should<br />

be as durable as possible<br />

and never fade. The truth,<br />

however, is the complete<br />

opposite — we need to look<br />

after leather in the same way<br />

we look after our own skin.<br />

The best kind of skin is the<br />

top layer, also called aniline.<br />

We buy skin care products<br />

with collagen to ensure our<br />

own skin looks as radiant as<br />

ever. The same concept goes<br />

for leather — the top layer is<br />

the most precious. The best<br />

aniline should have no scars<br />

or marks, and be smooth and<br />

consistent in texture. That<br />

way the texture remains soft<br />

and looks natural. However,<br />

because of the lack of chemicals,<br />

aniline leather is not as<br />

durable as one would think.<br />

In order to keep the leather,<br />

you need to moisturize it from<br />

time to time, and look after it<br />

from the very beginning.<br />

The first step in taking care<br />

of aniline leather is having a<br />

good leather moisturizer and<br />

a good repellant, like Scotch<br />

Guard Fabric Protector. When<br />

you buy your bags, moisturize<br />

them first and then spray<br />

them with the repellant.<br />

Concentrate on the back of<br />

the bag where there may be<br />

more friction. This can protect<br />

it from being scratched easily<br />

or scarred and also from<br />

getting soiled in light rain.<br />

Test your moisturizer on a<br />

small part of the bag first to<br />

see what kind of reaction it<br />

will have on the rest of the<br />

leather.<br />

Do not leave the bag in<br />

sunlight — put the bag in a<br />

shady area of the room so it<br />

will not change colour easily.<br />

Some types of leather, called<br />

a natural crust, may change<br />

to a darker shade with use<br />

and sunlight. This is a natural<br />

progression for the leather<br />

(similar to how our own skin<br />

changes when exposed to<br />

the sun).<br />

Although you may think<br />

your leather bag is defective<br />

because it gets scratched<br />

and scarred easily, the opposite<br />

holds true. Now, you<br />

know your skin.<br />

Christina Yu is the creative<br />

director and founder of<br />

Ipa-Nima, an award-winning<br />

accessories brand. Email<br />

your questions to Christina@<br />

ipa-nima.com or visit Ipanima.com.<br />

Tombo<br />

145 Dong Khoi, D1<br />

Of all the embroidered and sequined<br />

bags, shoes and tidbits (or “Zakka”<br />

shops) that can be found in Dong Khoi,<br />

this shop’s has products that are prettier<br />

than most. Shoes can be custom-made<br />

and the sales staff is friendly.<br />

Umbrella<br />

35 Ly Tu Trong, D1 and 4 Le Loi, D1<br />

Tel: 6276 2730<br />

www.umbrella-fashion.com<br />

Sophisticated boutique showcasing<br />

a diverse range of imported women’s<br />

accessories. Also houses women’s garments<br />

from office wear to cocktail and<br />

party creations.<br />

ACTIVE WEAR<br />

Roxy and Quiksilver<br />

Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />

The original active living and extreme<br />

sports brands, Roxy and Quiksilver products<br />

combine form and function. Choose<br />

from outdoor gear to cool indoor clothes.<br />

TBS Sports Centre<br />

102 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu Nhuan<br />

This store stocks a range of good sports<br />

clothes and equipment from big name<br />

brands such as Puma, Adidas, Ecco,<br />

Nike and Converse.<br />

Volcom<br />

Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1<br />

Chic and funky ladies’ apparel brand<br />

from America. Lots of tank tops, minis<br />

and shorts for day tripping with girlfriends<br />

or lazing on the beach.<br />

READY TO WEAR<br />

unisex<br />

BAM Skate Shop<br />

174 Bui Vien, D1 Tel: 0903 641 826<br />

In addition to a range of decks, wheels<br />

and trucks, this small shop is stocked<br />

with bookbags, skate sneakers, track<br />

jackets and t-shirts emblazoned with<br />

your skateboard company of choice.<br />

FCUK<br />

127 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />

Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan, D1<br />

Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1<br />

Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />

Tel: 3914 7740<br />

www.frenchconnection.com<br />

Trendy UK brand with a selection of<br />

fashion-forward dresses for women and<br />

smart workwear and funky casual wear<br />

for men, all at middle-market prices.<br />

L’Usine<br />

151/1 Dong Khoi, D1<br />

Lifestyle store and cafe housed in a<br />

period building restored to evoke the<br />

aesthetic of an early 20th-century garment<br />

factory. Carries an exclusive, frequently<br />

refreshed line of imported men’s<br />

and women’s fashion, including T-shirts<br />

and footwear, and a range of unique<br />

accessories. Entrance via the street-level<br />

Art Arcade.<br />

Replay<br />

Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />

116 Nguyen Trai, D1<br />

187 Hai Ba Trung, D3<br />

Tel: 3925 0252<br />

Wide variety of shoes, clothing, denim<br />

for teens and university-age men and<br />

women. Carries boots, sandals, pumps<br />

and sneakers at mid-range prices.<br />

Runway<br />

Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />

Tel: 3993 9988<br />

runway.sg@global-fashion.vn<br />

Versace<br />

26 Dong Khoi<br />

Designer brand in men’s formal wear.<br />

Houses suit jackets and trousers, shirts<br />

as well as an array of men’s accessories.<br />

Also stocks womens clothing and<br />

shoes.<br />

men<br />

Lucas<br />

69A Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3827 9670<br />

Fashion store housing contemporary<br />

designs in casual, office and evening<br />

wear imported from Hong Kong.<br />

Massimo Ferrari<br />

42-A1 Tran Quoc Thao, D3<br />

Tel: 3930 6212<br />

Bespoke menswear shop also boasts<br />

its own brand of contemporary preppy<br />

attire tailored for the tropics. Carries a<br />

line of European-quality shoes, bags and<br />

accessories designed in-house, as well<br />

as exclusive Orobianco unisex bags,<br />

designer fragrances and eyewear.<br />

Mattre<br />

19 Nguyen Trai, D1 Tel: 3925 3412<br />

This local men’s clothes shop has some<br />

funky tops and jeans for more fashionforward<br />

males. Apparel in sizes that fit<br />

the typical Western man’s frame are<br />

often available.<br />

Milano<br />

Sheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi<br />

www.milanogoods.com<br />

A conjoining shop with D&G offering<br />

a selection of men’s shoes and accessories<br />

with a sideline in women’s clothing.<br />

D&G provides a collection of menswear,<br />

from casual jeans and T-shirts to<br />

uniquely designed suit jackets.<br />

Timberland<br />

Parkson Plaza, 39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D1<br />

Sells everything the brand is known<br />

for, from heavy-duty boots to tops and<br />

trousers that are both smart and casual.<br />

The emphasis is on muted tones and<br />

unobtrusive logos for men who don’t like<br />

to show off.<br />

women<br />

Axara<br />

Vincom Center B1, 70 - 72 Le Thanh<br />

Ton, D1<br />

Saigon Centre, 65 Le Loi, D1<br />

21 Nguyen Trai, D1<br />

Tel: 3993 9399<br />

www.axara.com<br />

Carries women’s clothing suitable for<br />

work, weekends or evening. Luxurious<br />

fabrics and simple cuts and styles all at<br />

reasonable prices. Also carries handbags<br />

and accessories.<br />

Balenciaga<br />

Rex Hotel, 155 Nguyen Hue<br />

Tel: 6291 3572<br />

Sporting modern shapes and elegant<br />

items crafted from natural, raw and<br />

artificial materials.<br />

BCBGMAXAZRIA<br />

Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,<br />

D1<br />

American brand sells women’s day<br />

dresses and tops, evening gowns and<br />

wear-to-work attire in many prints and<br />

colours. Also carries a small selection of<br />

accessories, sunglasses and watches.<br />

Bebe<br />

Saigon Center, 65 Le Loi, D1<br />

Tel: 3914 4011<br />

www.bebe.com<br />

An international brand that specializes<br />

in contemporary, modern tees and sexy,<br />

elegant dresse, tops and party attire.<br />

76 asialife HCMC

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