shopping news from bangkok airways’ destinations

WEAR THESE

For open shoes that look smart, look no further than nuabs comfortable sandals, made from soft leather and lightweight rubber for men and women. Perfect for sight-seeing – especially to slip on and off when visiting temples. Priced at S$91.90 (US$60). Available in five colours from www.nuabs.com

SENSIBLE SILK

What happens when a Hungarian artist falls in love with Lao silk? Wearable art. The self-taught designer behind Lisa Regale Fusion Gallery (Ban Xieng Th ong 42/4, Luang Prabang, tel +856
(0)71 253224, www.lisaregalelaos.com) collects the country’s finest textiles and conjures up modern classics with european style.

Her latest designs experiment with lightweight organza, transforming the simplest dress into eveningwear. The wrap tunic with an asymmetrical hem (above, US$85) adjusts to flatter a wide range of figures, making it a perennial customer favourite.

FAIR TRADE

Representing hundreds of talented artisans who make home and beauty accessories from materials such as rattan, silk, bamboo, coconut husks, bulrush, ceramics, cotton and water hyacinth, the Thai Craft Association (www.thaicraft..org) is showcasing products at their upcoming one-day fairs – more than 60 stalls will be selling locally-produced favourites. The fairs will be held at the International School Bangkok (Nichada Thani, Nonthaburi) on 10 May and at The Ambassador Hotel (Tower Wing, level three, Sukhumvit Soi 11) on 24 May and 10 June.

JAPAN CHIC

A homegrown Fukuoka success story, Beni-ya (2F Marinoa East Side, 2-12-30 Odo, Nishi-ku, tel +92 885-3410) offers a wide variety of accessories, clothing, stationery and foods – all with a traditional Japanese touch.

The shop has since expanded with outlets in Kyoto. How about a set of personal chopsticks? Forget disposal cutlery: select a set from their collection of 80 and complement it with a stylish carry case. Of the many colourful accessories here, the furoshiki, or traditional textile wraps, are of note.