Shopping secrets

LOS ANGELES

Ms Hortense Bonneau, 43

Founder and designer of Hortense Jewelry

The Frenchwoman has lived in Los Angeles for close to 10 years.

General Store

1801 Lincoln Boulevard, Venice

www.shop-generalstore.com

Local artisans and craftsmen have contributed to the eclectic mix of clothing, jewellery, furniture, plants and books.

Looking for handcrafted deodorant cream, delicate geometric rings, or classic leather totes? You'll find them here.

Collection

1282 West Sunset Boulevard

www.collectiononline.us

Not only are there designer collectibles to be found at this vintage clothing store, you can also get good deals on them.

Mohawk General Store

4011 West Sunset Boulevard

www.mohawkgeneralstore.com

It is hard to leave this much-loved store without buying anything.

Expect to find comfy hand-dyed separates from New York City-based brand Ace & Jig, handmade leather flats from LA-based brand Martiniano, and timeless garments from the store's in-house label, Smock.

Clare V. (picked by Urban)

619 North Croft Avenue, West Hollywood

www.clarev.com

Pick up simple, logo-less bags and clutches in a homey atmosphere at Los Angeles-based brand Clare V.

Nasty Gal (picked by Urban)

8115 Melrose Avenue

www.nastygal.com

The popular online fashion store, Nasty Gal, has some of its best wares on display at its only brick-and-mortar store.

Go to the back of the store to snap an Instagram-worthy photo of the shoe display, and then try on shoes from brands such as Shoe Cult and Jeffrey Campbell.

MELBOURNE

Ms Alli Sim, 31

Founder of bath and skincare brand Mmerci Encore

Originally from Melbourne, Ms Sim has lived in Singapore for eight years.

Mecca Cosmetica

79 Toorak Road, South Yarra

www.mecca.com.au

Mecca is still, for me, the one-stop shop to stock up on my Kai perfume and Frederic Malle candles. It's the friendly service and well-curated mix of iconic, and often hard-to-find, brands that makes this multi-label boutique an old favourite.

Incu

Shop ACL 12, QV Albert Coates Lane

www.incu.com

A multi-label boutique that best celebrates Melbourne style - understated luxe and a little bit European.

It has a mix of local brands, such as accessories label Lucy Folk, and international brands, including A.P.C and Rag & Bone.

Le Louvre

2 Daly Street, South Yarra

A high-fashion institution since its inception in 1923. Located in Melbourne's trendy South Yarra district, this is where the well-heeled get their fashion fix from luxury labels, such as Balmain, Lanvin and Valentino.

Marais

73-77 Bourke St

www.marais.com.au

Where edgy high fashion meets street.

Hit Marais for Alexander McQueen, Isabel Marant, Carven, Erickson Beamon and Mawi, just to name a few.

Direct Factory Outlets

Various locations

www.dfo.com.au

Those looking to save a pretty penny can pop over to DFO (Direct Factory Outlets) located throughout Melbourne.

There are more than 120 local and international brands under one roof, including Australia favourites Country Road and Witchery. These one-stop discount malls sell everything from 1,000 thread-count Sheridan sheets to end-of-season Calvin Klein lingerie.

SEOUL

Ms Ann Kositchotitana, 39

Co-founder of fashion label HLS (Headline Seoul) and owner of multi-label boutique Front Row at Raffles Hotel

She travels to Seoul about four times a year.

10 Corso Como Seoul

79 Cheongdam-Dong, Gangnam-Gu

www.10corsocomo.com

10 Corso Como was founded in Milan in 1990 by Carla Sozzani, a former fashion editor.

The branch in Seoul offers an eclectic mix of fashion, accessories and lifestyle products from designer and cult labels. There aren't many tourists and you can walk around without sales people bugging you.

MIK 24/7

Second floor Shinwoo Building, 664-19 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu www.mik247.co.kr

Fashion stylist Raymond Chae, who started the store, selects some of the best Korean designers to be stocked here.

SangsangMadang 65,

Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu

www.sangsangmadang.com

Located in the young and hip area of Hongdae, this shop sells lifestyle products, such as candles, bookmarks and lamps, from quirky young Korean designers. Items are creative and very affordable.

Primera

1F, 20 Myeongdong-gil, Jung-gu

www.primera.co.kr

A natural skincare brand that has something for the entire family. The prices are extremely affordable, such as $30 for a big bottle of moisturiser.

Aland (picked by Urban)

30 Myeongdong 6-gil, Jung-gu

www.a-land.co.kr

From easy-to-wear shirtdresses to bold flared skirts, there's likely to be something to suit every style at the trendy Aland. The chain of multi-label stores sells clothes, accessories, shoes and lifestyle products from local labels for men and women. It also carries a selection of vintage clothing. There are several locations throughout Seoul.

LONDON

Ms Elizabeth Seow, 22

Student at the London College of Fashion and part-time sales associate at fashion store & Other Stories

The Goodhood Store

151 Curtain Road

www.goodhoodstore.com

There is a lovely mix of luxury and contemporary brands, such as Moschino, Comme des Garcons, Designers Remix and Peter Jensen, with an emphasis on quality and design.

Folk

53 Lamb's Conduit Street

www.folkclothing.com

London-based independent label Folk keeps things nice and simple with its range of good quality and understated everyday clothing. Its designs have no obvious branding, but show attention to details.

Celestine Eleven

4 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch

www.celestineeleven.com

The store has a gorgeous concrete interior, but its holistic bent is what makes it stand out. Celestine Eleven offers a fresh take on luxury shopping by fusing high-end fashion labels, such as J.W. Anderson and Meadham Kirchhoff, with organic skincare brands, health supplements and books.

LN-CC

18 Shacklewell Lane, Dalston

www.ln-cc.com

Located in East London, LN-CC, which is short for Late Night Chameleon Cafe, is easy to miss, but it's worth the hunt.

One needs to make an appointment online before stepping into the concept store to shop from its selection of luxury offerings, which includes labels such as Rick Owens, Lanvin, Givenchy and Dries van Noten.

& Other Stories

256 Regent Street

www.stories.com

Make this affordable Swedish chain one of your stops if you like tailored, feminine silhouettes. The wide range of beauty products, with its minimalist packaging, makes perfect gifts. & Other Stories is an offshoot of H&M.

BANGKOK

Ms Janchittra Tantikarn, 27

Founder of Bangkok-based label Jan.Jan and freelance designer

Liberty Area One

No. 3, Soi Ekkamai 10, Sukhumvit 63 Road

www.libertyareaone.com

This is a multi-label haven for the fashionista with individualistic taste, as it is packed with wares from Thai designers as well as international cult brands. If you like vintage-inspired swimwear, labels such as Virgindaises will fulfil that desire. Another brand, Lalalove London, boasts elements such as psychedelic digital prints and swimwear with quirky prints.

Onion

19/12 Ekamai 12 St. Vadhana

www.onionbkk.com

Onion - together with its sister cafe One Ounce for Onion - is a one-stop shop for ultimate hipster fashion and food.

The store specialises in curated vintage eyewear, dandy casual styles, women's apparel and leather goods. This place is highly recommended, especially for fans of quirky vintage sunglasses.

Siwilai

Level 5 Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Road

www.siwilaistore.com

This store carries international fashion labels not available anywhere else in Thailand, such as Maison Kitsune,

Simone Rocha, J.W. Anderson and more. Simone Rocha is my all-time favourite fashion label for its unique and quirky style.

Rod Fi Market Ratchada

Ratchadaphisek Road, Dindaeng

www.facebook.com/taradrodfi.Ratchada

Fancy a shopping haven that will not break the bank? Rod Fi Market Ratchada is the place to be.

My favourite thing about this place is the amazing deals you can get on cool vintage items, such as a denim pencil skirt with front buttons I picked up for 300 baht (S$12).

The Wonder Room

Level 3 Siam Center

www.facebook.com/thewonderroomstore

Even if you have been to the newly renovated Siam Center, you may have missed this store because of its slightly hidden location. The Wonder Room carries designs from hip Thai designers, and I would recommend this place for anyone who loves whimsical jewellery, bags and shoes.

PARIS

Ms Sandra Cameron, 45

French founder of Pardon My French public relations agency

Buly 1803

6 rue Bonaparte

www.buly1803.com/en/

The original Buly perfumery and cosmetics shop started in the late 18th century in rue Saint-Honore, and it has been given a second life by creative genius Ramdane Touhami and his wife Victoire de Taillac, in a new location in the 6th arrondissement.

I love the scented matches, the scented candles in marble containers and the plant-based handmade soaps.

Bellerose

39 rue du Temple & 3 rue Jacob

www.bellerose.be

This Belgian fashion label caters to the whole family with its line of "old-school casual with a twist" apparel. There is also a lot of attention paid to details with surprise elements, such as contrast linings and colourful stitching.

The Broken Arm

12 rue Perree

https://the-broken-arm.com/en

I love this unpretentious concept store and cafe, where I can have my favourite small Galician sardines served in a tin, and then browse their curation of clothing and accessories. I've also heard they serve an excellent coffee.

Odetta

76 rue des Tournelles

www.odettavintage.com

This tiny boutique sells a selection of wearable vintage fashion pieces and highly sought-after second-hand pieces from contemporary designers; both retail at reasonable prices. The store also has vintage furniture for sale and its own line of leather sandals and boots.

Serendipity

81 rue du Cherche-midi

www.serendipity.fr

This lifestyle store specialises in vintage and modern furniture for kids. Actually, not just kids - adults also love the eclectic selection of decor items, bed linens and tableware. If you cannot make it to the store, make sure to check out their e-store that ships internationally.

NEW YORK CITY

Ms Lynn Ban, 42

New York City-based designer of Lynn Ban Jewelry

Resurrection Vintage

217 Mott Street

www.resurrectionvintage.com

Since its start in a former funeral home in the East Village 20 years ago, I have been a loyal patron of what I consider one of the best vintage stores in New York City - Resurrection Vintage. The Nolita boutique is an Aladdin's cave of vintage Chanel, Thierry Mugler, Alaia, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Ossie Clarka and Thea Porter.

MiN New York

117 Crosby Street

www.min.com

This beautiful apothecary with dark wood finishes and exposed brick walls exudes a clubby feel with its stuffed leather couches. It carries a selection of the best European bespoke fragrances, home fragrances, candles, and skin and haircare lines.

Beautiful shaving kits, English leather toiletry bags and rare fragrances are also great as gifts.

Dover Street Market New York

160 Lexington Avenue

https://newyork.doverstreetmarket.com

Comme des Garcon's multi-brand emporium is one of my favourite new stores in New York City. An incubator for new fashion lines, the store also carries established brands that have Rei Kawakubo's stamp of approval.

On any given day, you can find the latest collections from brands such as Christopher Kane, Undercover, Alaia and CdG.

Trico Field

65 West Houston Street

www.tricofield.net

This is a Japanese brand specialising in high-quality distressed denim and "new" Americana vintage for children. It stocks clothing for children aged six months to 12 years old, but a well-kept secret is that the store has adult versions of some of the styles. I especially like its cool vintage T-shirts.

De Vera

1 Crosby Street

www.deveraobjects.com

I can spend hours at this downtown cabinet of curiosities. Filled to the brim but expertly curated with antique objects (from religious relics and antique silver to oil portraits and natural pieces of coral) and jewellery (mediaeval, Edwardian, Victorian, Indian) sourced from across the globe, this all-black store is a constant source of inspiration.

TOKYO

Ms Leslie Kay Lim, 26

Half-Japanese fashion writer at The Straits Times Urban

Sacai

5-4-44 Minami Aoyama

www.sacai.jp

Fashion label Sacai, by designer Chitose Abe, is one of the hottest labels right now in Japan. The designer brand is known for beautifully fusing knits, woven materials and lace. The Aoyama store is the brand's flagship and, though small, carries the entire Sacai collections.

Anglobal

4-10-5 Jingumae

www.anglobalshop.com

Anglobal is a great multi-label store, with global brands ranging from Sophia Webster to Marni to MSGM. The Omotesando shop is located one back street from the main road, and makes it a fun excuse to explore the winding streets.

VintageQoo

Room 515, 4-3-15 Jingumae,

https://qoo-online.com

This obscure shop - located on the fifth floor of an office building - sells vintage designer bags, accessories and shoes from the 1980s and 1990s. They sell quite a few designer brands, but their speciality is Chanel - the store has a selection of quality designs from the label.

L'atelier du Savon

28-3 Sarugakucho

www.atelierdusavon-ambidex.jp

If a quirky girl with her head in the clouds started daydreaming, she might be wearing items from L'atelier du Savon. The fun Japanese brand is known for whimsical prints and surprising details. Items include cloud-print dresses and cardigans with numbered buttons.

Ainz & Tulpe

Level 1 Harajuku Quest Bldg, 1-13-14 Jingumae

https://ainz-tulpe.ainj.co.jp

This fun chain beauty store has it all - from local beauty brands to overseas imports. The last time I visited, the items I picked up ranged from lavender-scented keratin nail oil to bear-themed eyebag patches. The spacious two-storey Harajuku outpost, which gets plenty of tourists, has a great natural selection downstairs.

BALI

Mrs Innika Choo, 32

Freelance fashion stylist

Originally from Australia, Mrs Choo has lived in Bali for a year.

Escalier

Jln. Petitenget, Seminyak Instagram: escalierstore

Situated at the entrance of the popular Potato Head Beach Club, this store has a great edit of international labels. My favourites include American swimwear label Mara Hoffman and French apparel brand Maison Kitsune.

Kiosk

Jalan Kayu Cendana No. 1, Seminyak

www.kioskbali.com

This tiny store stocks an on-point mix of Australian and European brands, with a contemporary resortwear focus.

I love the sophisticated cuts by apparel label Celeste Tesoriero, sunglasses from Pared eyewear and circular towels from The Beach People.

Bali Boat Shed

At the corner of Jalan Kayu Aya and Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak

www.baliboatshed.com

This men's and women's store houses more than 30 Bali-based labels. Be sure to pop in a few times during your stay as the stock changes often.

Natasha

2A Jalan Kayu Jatih, Oberoi, Seminyak

www.natasha.net.au

This gorgeous Australian label is all about easy-to-wear, eye-catching pieces in a soft palette.

Do check out the stunning lace-up sandals that will take you from the beach to the bar. This is the brand's only retail store.

The Prisoners of St. Petersberg

942 Jl. Laksmana, Seminyak +62 361 73-6653

This is one for the bohemians. You'll find dresses in boldly coloured geometric prints and bejewelled clutches.

HONG KONG

Ms gladys chung, 31

beauty writer at the straits times urban

Juice

18A-B Tai Ping Shan Street, Sheung Wan

www.clot.com

This streetwear boutique is the third store of Hong Kong personality Edison Chen and Hong Kong entrepreneur Kevin Poon. Here, you can expect to find the pair's graphic fashion designs under the label Clot, and limited-edition sneakers made in Italy with crocodile skin-effect leather by Buscemi.

The Refinery Unit

410, 4th floor, Blk A, Police Married Quarters (Junction of Aberdeen Street, Hollywood Road and Shin Wong Street)

A multi-label boutique offering more than 30 labels. Highlights include statement handmade perspex jewellery by British designer Jennifer Loiselle, and kitschy bangles made with vintage watches set in resin by Hong Kong label Shannnam.

The Little Finger Unit

206, 2nd floor, Blk B, Police Married Quarters

www.thelittlefinger.com

An experimental jewellery design studio that crafts silver, brass and copper into sculptural designs with clean lines. Cotton thread and coloured yarn are incorporated into some of the geometric designs for a different spin.

The 9th Muse

No.1 Lyndhurst Terrace, One Lyndhurst Tower, 12th floor, 1204, Central

This multi-brand accessory boutique is the best-kept secret of the Hong Kong hipster crowd. It carries an impressive range of fine jewellery, bags and accessories from more than 90 international brands.

Cocktail Jojo

2 Moon Street, Wan Chai

facebook.com/cocktailjojo

The perfect place to pick up great souvenirs. This lifestyle and fashion store sells a mish-mash of affordable products, such as gift cards illustrated by Hong Kong designers, recipe books by Hong Kong chefs, and locally designed kimonos, T-shirts and accessories.

This article was first published on April 24, 2015.
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