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TOP SHOPS
Top shops shopping news from bangkok airways’ destinations
GREEN BEANS GALORE
Coffee Meister “Castella” runs a very fashionable shop called Green Co~ ee near Hiroshima’s Hijiyama Park. Its name comes from the colour of the beans when they arrive at the shop – green, fresh and ready to be roasted.
This shop is also “green” in another way because it promotes healthy fair trade by working within a Japanese co-op of co˛ ee roasters who buy their beans directly from the farmers – thus creating a much better relationship between grower, roaster and consumer.
Green Co˛ ee is a simple set-up with a selection of freshly roasted co˛ ee beans on display, tables for people to enjoy a cup of drip co˛ ee and a roaster in the back. ˚ e interior combines a rough, unfi nished look with glamorous details and antiques.
This is a perfect place to just drop in and enjoy a cup of one Castella’s delicious blends before or a~ er a visit to the Contemporary Art Museum, or when you’re done pottering around the numerous fascinating antique shops in the area.
Open noon to 7pm, Monday-Saturday. Minami-ku, Danbara 1-5-7, tel +81(0)82 264-7084, www.green-web.jp
BLINGO!
The Crystal Lounge in Bangkok has received a lot of attention, thanks to its (literally) dazzling reputation. ˚ e theme of this multi-functional café-cum-bar-cum-jewellery boutique has to do with anything sparkling. ˚ ink not so much De Beers but Beyoncé.
In the case of the Crystal Lounge, the Blingfest extends from the diamanté-striped tuk-tuk (which you cannot miss) at the entrance, to the beautifully cra~ ed jewellery, artworks or accessories – all appealing to the passionate glitterbug for whom diamonds really are their best friends.
Crystal adorns everything from the signage to artworks and lighting. Even if you don’t get as far as buying anything vaguely crystalline, the gem-encrusted tuk-tuk is there to ferry guests back to the Skytrain. Open 11am-1am, Tuesday-Sunday. 28 Sukhumvit Soi 20, tel +66 (0)2 258-1599, www.crystal-lounge.com
HITCH A RIDE
˚ e hotel’s private driver and limousine will transport you straight to all the best, hidden shopping secrets around town and o˛ -the-beaten-track treasure troves that will delight. Stylish souvenirs include Siam Royal Orchid’s range of handcra~ ed jewellery and gi~ s made from real orchids and Wit’s Collection of chic household decoration. |
TREASURE TROVES
For a selection of the highest quality handicra~ s, the boutique in Luang Prabang’s beautiful La Residence Phou Vao showcases the work of legendary weaver, Carol Cassidy. It is the only outlet in town that stocks her exquisite scarves and wall hangings, as well as a wide range of books on Luang Prabang and unique silver items.
˚ e perfect time to shop is just before sunset, so you can adjourn to the hotel’s terrace and watch the sun dip behind the temple spires with a cocktail in hand. Phou Vao Road, tel +856 (0)71 21294, www.pansea.com
Serious shoppers will love Cool Shops Hong Kong by teNeues (www.teNeues.com) – a chic yet practical guide to Asia’s retail paradise. ˚ e hand-picked selection of the city’s boutiques and designer stores are illustrated throughout with 130 stylish colour photographs of the shop’s interiors and products. Get your purses ready! |
BEST BUYSQ&A
Born in Phnom Penh, Cambodian designer Romyda Keth spent most of her formative years in the fashion capital of the world, Paris. It’s little wonder that she decided to train in fashion design, following studies at the Paris School of Fine Arts.
Returning to her hometown, the talented wife and mother opened her first boutique Ambre in 1999, as a place to showcase her feminine collections, followed by two more outlets in the city’s Raffles Hotel Le Royal and Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap.
Find her clothes around the world from Paris to Tokyo and Singapore to Mexico city. We asked the successful businesswoman to reveal her inspirations and top travel tips.
What led you to open Ambre at a time when such boutiques did not exist in Phnom Penh?
At that time (1999), I was producing designs to supply to the Paris market and people convinced me there was a real demand from women living in Cambodia. My encounter with a couple owning an antique shop gave me the opportunity to have a retail space.
What inspires your designing?
My inspiration is related to Japanese, Chinese, and old Hollywood movies: My Fair Lady, Dolls and In the Mood for Love are among them, and more recently, the epic, Rome.
What type of woman do you design for?
I do not think about “types of woman”, as I believe that women who feel comfortable with their body, regardless of its size and shape, will always look for a feminine figure. In keeping with this, all my collections always emphasise curves and women’s elegance.
What do you most enjoy designing?
My all-time favourite is dresses!
How did you rework the interior design of the building?
My boutique is within an old colonial mansion. Each room is decorated using a different colour scheme to showcase matching collection pieces.
What do you never travel without?
I never leave behind my black jersey dress.
How do you combat jetlag?
I’m lucky to fall asleep as soon as I get on the plane.
Do you recommend any shops or restaurants in the region?
I don’t travel around Asia often, so I don’t have much advice to offer. In Phnom Penh, however, I like the interior design shop, Bazar Art de Vivre (N° 28 Sihanouk (Street 274), tel +85 (0)12 776492) which always satisfies my home decorating needs.
I would recommend eating at Sa, in front of the Royal Palace, and the gourmet restaurant at Raffles Hotel Le Royal. In Siem Reap, FCC Angkor and Hotel de la Paix both have stylish bars.
Which Bangkok Airways destinations would you like to fly to?
Koh Samui – I’ve heard it’s a fantastic family holiday destination and a great place to relax.
With four children and a thriving business, how do you relax? My own miracle recipe is to retire every Sunday with the whole family to our country house overlooking the Mekong River.
What does the future hold for you?
As a Buddhist, I believe that only time will tell!
Ambre, 37 Street 178, Phnom Penh, tel +855 (0)12 688608
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