The Straits Times Blogs - Fash Hag

Bouquets and brickbats

2009-07-23T11:11:00Z

Fash Hag rounds up the best and worst of this year’s Great Singapore Sale.

MY DEARS, it's been a pleasure talking shop these past few weeks.

The Great Singapore Sale draws to a close on Sunday and, my, what an eventful (not to mention bountiful) season it has been.

You'd remember, of course, the early blowout sales at department stores like Robinsons, Isetan and Tangs. The lead-up to the GSS was also fuelled by the openings of new malls like Orchard Central and Tampines 1.

When the season kicked off at the end of May, retailers hit by the recession slashed their prices even further, not just in the malls but also in the heartlands and online.

Fashionistas weren't the only ones going ga-ga: travellers and techies also had the pick of the lot too.

True, not everything was smooth sailing. The season has produced its fair share of kiasu shoppers, and I'm sure many of you out there, like me, have made some utterly regrettable buys.

But just when I thought I'd swoon from sale fatigue, along came the strongest smelling salt of all: the opening of the glitzy Ion Orchard.

This is truly a fitting end to the sale season. All its new stores are perking me up already, and I'm not the only one: you should have seen the crowds at its opening on Tuesday.

Its host of new brands and flagship stores, from Steve Madden to Vivienne Tam, are enough to keep us shopaholics satisfied for the time being, I reckon.

There's been enough natter about Ion's fashion and food bonanza, but I'll leave you with one last tip: Check out its 360 Marketplace supermarket for some healthy premium treats.

I'm liking their range of Naked juice smoothies, Waitrose Organic food and Absolute Organic snacks such as popcorn and beetroot chips.

Vegetarians, you'd be pleased to know that Quorn, a healthy meat-substitute beloved by your British counterparts, is stocked as well. Prices range from $6.95 for a pack of "burger" patties to $8.75 for a pack of "sausages".

But my favourite is the La Fermiere yogurt range, sitting pretty in their small baby-blue sandstone jars ($8.90). Get the honey flavour: the texture is like a velvety yet lighter beancurd, and the yogurt bursts with the sweetness of orange flower honey. Best of all it contains only 132 calories per serving.

It's all good, nourishing food that we fashionistas ought to stock up. After all, we've got only four months to recover before the Christmas sale season starts, non?

This is the last Fash Hag Great Singapore Sale blog post for 2009.

Going potty over Ion

2009-07-21T22:47:00Z

Fash Hag says Orchard Road's latest mall's swankiness knows no bounds.

I NEARLY went potty over Orchard Road’s newest kid on the block, Ion Orchard, when it opened on Tuesday.

And I don't just mean that the stores were new, swanky and inviting. They were – but then, so too were the restrooms.

Now, these aren't just any ol' loos. They are the VIP loos, lined with black marbled wallpaper (not real marble) and adorned with gilded mirrors. Best of all, each one – there are just two for each gender in the whole mall – is spacious, reserved for one person's use at a time.

The piece de resistance? The automated Japanese toilet seat, complete with a suite of buttons to flush the toilet, rinse the bottom and warm the seat (not necessarily in that order, obviously).

The catch, of course, is that, as the name suggests, these posh loos are reserved for the VIPs who are "dignitaries or celebrities", although the word is that the international designer labels located on the first and second floors may also be able to let their top-spending customers use these facilities too. It's amazing what privileges await you when you're flush with cash. (You'll pardon the pun.)

Anyway, let's move on to the shops, as Ion is a mall after all. With 640,000 sq ft of net lettable space spread over eight floors, navigating this den of consumerism is best conducted in flat shoes.

Take along your credit cards too. I don't know what it is about sparkling new stores that make shopaholics want to swipe their plastic at every turn, as if it is good luck to christen cash registers.

I left the building with a new cocktail dress and a new clutch (two unplanned purchases that weren't even on sale) in tow.

Also, don't forget your sunglasses before stepping into Singapore's first Harry Winston store on the first floor. The haute bling in there – especially the 66-carat yellow diamond cocktail ring – nearly blinded me and might do the same to you.

Magpie types beware: The store features a double-door system that can very well trap you in the doorway if you try to make off with any expensive baubles.

To sum it up, prepare to be overwhelmed by the swankiness of everything, and don't be surprised if the mall makes you feel like you've been teleported to, say, the IFC in Hong Kong.

After all, Ion is a joint venture between Hong Kong's Sun Hung Kai Properties and Singapore's CapitaLand.

Other eye-popping designer boutiques to check out include Burberry (second floor), Valentino and Louis Vuitton (both first floor), while Topshop's duplex flagship in Basement 2 should help rack up several shopping bags.

Unfortunately, Uniqlo does not open for another several weeks. (An excuse to return? Mais bien sur.)

If you're hungry, there's a good selection of F&B outlets that are already open, ranging from Canton-I for Hong Kong nibbles to Sho Teppan (Japanese teppanyaki) to Burger King.

Don't forget the food hall on Basement 4, which offers a smorgasboard of options for those who want food on the go.

Thank me later for the footwear advice. Enjoy!

Read more: Ion on Orchard opens

Fingers find the (designer) bargains

2009-07-17T22:32:00Z

ST's Fash Hag recommends members-only online shopping communities.

MISSED out on a coveted item at the GSS? Why not turn to the wonderful Worldwide Web that is the Internet?

You see, my dears, all that running around the stores in stilettos has done my feet in, so nowadays I like to let my fingers do the walking.

I've discovered online treasure troves that sell relatively current bags and shoes from my favourite designer brands for similar discounts to those found in stores here. As The Wall Street Journal calls them: "Designer Bargains, for the invited."

To name but a few, they are Gilt Groupe, Rue La La, Haute Look, Ideeli and The Outnet.

The last is popular designer brand website Net-a-porter.com's sale store, and is a good place to turn to for those hard-to-get-here labels like Rue du Mail or Roksanda Ilincic for anywhere from 30 to 70 per cent off.

Depending on the time of day you surf 'n' shop, you could score extra-sweet deals at the site's "Pop-Up sales", which feature a group of items edited by brand or by theme and are only on sale for a limited time (usually up to 72 hours).

There is also the "Going, Going, Gone" sales, which allow you to choose the price you want to pay for a particular product.

In fact, I'm just waiting to pounce on a pair of studded strappy heels by Proenza Schouler that are currently at half price — 178 pounds (S$421). I wonder if I can get lucky by choosing to pay just S$100 for them at a "Going, Going, Gone" sale.

Of course, there is some hassle involved with ordering from these sites as they are based overseas — Gilt Groupe, Rue La La and Haute Look are anchored stateside while The Outnet is based in Britain.

That means some of these sites accept only US credit cards, or do not ship internationally, or both.

But there are ways to get around the problem, such as making friends with nice Americans, and using VPost (SingPost's online shopping and shipping service).

For the moment, RueLaLa, Haute Look, Gilt Groupe and Ideeli ship only within the United States. Billion Dollar Babes delivers to Singapore for a starting fee of US$45.80 (S$66.50) and TheOutNet ships internationally, while a Singapore-based site, Reebonz ships here and internationally.

Also, do not forget about currency exchanges. With the Sing dollar now at $1.45 to US$1, and $2.36 to £1, you would do well to consider the price after the conversion before you click "confirm purchase".

But when all's said and done, shopping on these websites is not too much different from shopping on, say, eBay.

Sure, the purchase takes awhile to arrive and might have to be stamped at various ports before arriving on your doorstep, but the satisfaction of scoring an It item at 80 per cent off nearly negates the inconvenience.

Best of all, you do not have to physically jostle other shoppers to get what you want.

A last caveat and tip: These sites call themselves "members-only shopping communities", which means you can take advantage of their sales only if you have been invited to be a member. (After all, no fashionista worth her Balenciaga City tote wants to shop at a store that is a free-for-all, right?)

But invitations and membership are free, and easy to get.

There is either an option on the website’s homepage to request an invitation, or you can simply go to Google, enter two or three key words, and you are on your way in.

FASH HAG: A nasty bunch

2009-07-14T07:30:00Z

Fash Hag hears some horror stories about retail customers from hell.

MUCH has been said about lousy customer service but shoppers, too, can be a nasty bunch.

When I trade gossip with my pals in the retail industry, one topic that always gets the conversation going are stories about customers from hell.

Most stories revolve around penny-pinching customers who will go to great lengths for a freebie.

Beauty brands, with their generous displays of testers at their counters, seem to be particularly susceptible to miserly customers who give new meaning to the phrase "stretching your dollar".

I've heard countless laments about customers who show up with near-empty bottles asking for refunds, claiming that the product gave them allergies.

Could it be that they develop allergies whenever it is time to stock up on supplies?

Then there are those who take empty containers to the counters and proceed to empty the contents of the tester bottles into their own tubs.

Now, if anybody reading this thinks this is a brilliant idea, I strongly recommend that you take a moment to think about the number of people before you who have dipped their fingers into those lotions and potions.

Some blatantly flaunt their freeloading ways.

There is one woman who is known to visit the various counters of a certain luxury beauty brand for her regular beauty ritual.

She zooms in on its most expensive cream, scoops out as much of it as she can from the tester jar and proceeds to slather it all over her face and body, oblivious to the looks of disgust around her.

The beauty assistants have since wised up. Now, when they see her striding purposefully towards them, someone will discreetly hide the top-dollar sample and politely tell her that they have run out of it.

Fashion retailers get their fair share of nasty customers too, especially those who resort to emotional blackmail to get their way.

You know, those who start raising their voices to cause a scene in the middle of a store, as a spoilt brat is wont to do.

Store managers fear such customers because they disrupt business and may affect other shoppers, but accept this as part and parcel of their job.

However, there is one shopper who has made a name for herself as the customer from hell.

Having studied law in school, she is known to use her legal expertise to terrorise hapless service staff.

She has been known to send letters to the management demanding an explanation — or compensation — should she think that service standards are lacking.

These days, sales staff everywhere have learnt to be on their toes when they see her.

Good for her but I do feel sorry for her. Why?

Sure, she may get polite and efficient service but with everyone quaking in her shadow, she will never experience truly good service that comes from the heart.

FASH HAG: Score travel deals

2009-07-10T22:00:00Z

Fash Hag works her fingers for that dream travel deal.

WHAT with Singapore being such a teeny tiny country, it's no wonder that everyone here is born with an innate wanderlust, yours truly included.

So I can't help but rub my manicured hands with glee at some of the eye-popping travel deals we're seeing now, thanks to H1N1 and a worldwide recession.

Why wait till later to book your year-end holiday? My dears, carpe diem -- and those GSS credit card promotions.

A quick browse through the websites of banks and credit card companies throws up some irresistible deals. One of my favourites is the Emirates online offer that is available to DBS/POSB cardholders (link: http://www.emirates.com/dbs). If you factor in taxes, the airline's flights to Australia are going for about $450.

But I'm loving its Europe fares the most: Paris for only $868? C'est incroyable!

Granted, the fares apply for travel only during the off-peak seasons of mid-September to end November, which have neither perfect summer weather nor Christmas charm. Still, you know what that means: thinner crowds, fewer people to jostle with you at the shops and tourist attractions.

There are other ways to score a bargain year-round.

Those looking for a cheap thrill - literally - can check out online travel agent Zuji's reverse auction site (link: http://www.zujireverseauction.com), where hotel stays and flights go on auction three times a day.

Prices drop with every second, so the longer you wait, the more savings you scoop up. But it's also fastest fingers first, so don't wait too long or you might get beaten to a dream vacation at divine prices.

Some of the savings are impressive: A night's stay at the boutique Siem Reap hotel FCC Angkor, where usual rates are $163, just went for a measly $39.60.

I'm also digging Adioso.com (link: http://www.adioso.com) , which focuses on searching fares from regional budget airlines. It doesn't really work for long-distance flights, but is great for booking that weekend trip to Hong Kong or Bangkok. The fact that its search engine is flexible and a breeze to use is a big plus.

If you're scrimping on airfare but splashing out on accommodation, it's great coupling Adioso with Luxurylink.com (link://http://www.luxurylink.com). The site offers great packages at droolworthy luxe hotels around the world, and even does mystery auctions.

Yes, not all us can afford $1,599 three-night stays in Ubud villas. Still, when the work day is getting to be a drag, I find there's nothing more tantalising than clicking around and indulging in a jet-setting fantasy.

FASH HAG: With great sales comes great remorse

2009-07-10T06:52:00Z

Fash Hag is hit with Great Buyer's Remorse this GSS.

THIS GSS, I've been hit by something I like to call GBR.

You see, with the Great Singapore Sale comes the Great Buyer's Remorse – which is when you take your purchases home, peel off the tissue wrapping and ask yourself: "What was I thinking?"

It all started when my favourite labels invited me to their preview sales early last month.

As soon as I got the call, I swopped my four-inch heels for ballet flats and hightailed it down to the stores to see if the merchandise I'd been eyeing would now go for at least 30 per cent off.

When the faithful sales assistant at an Italian label said, "Shoes and ready-to-wear are 50 per cent off", I spluttered in disbelief.

"I’m sorry, could you repeat that?" I said while thinking to myself: "Silk crepe clothes and towering stilettos at half-price! Charge!"

Now, a colleague recently noted in this newspaper that retailers, deprived of business as consumers like her turned thriftier in the recession, went all out with massive discounts this GSS. This meant that designer labels were suddenly in "hers and everyone else’s" price range.

Well, and mine.

So, like a hurricane, I ripped through the store and emerged with three dresses and a pair of shoes.

Then I bulldozed my way to the other end of Orchard Road to my favourite Dutch label and handed over the plastic for two more dresses and two skirts.

Laden with shopping bags, I staggered back to where I started and picked up two more pairs of shoes on a whim – they were pretty, they were at half-price and, most importantly, they fitted.

It was like opening a can of Pringles potato chips: Once I’d popped, I couldn’t stop. Before I knew it, I'd racked up five pairs of shoes in four days. Last weekend, I brought the total up to six pairs of shoes in one month.

Of course, I'm now kicking myself – and I'm not even wearing one of the new ones today – or all the impulse buys, which are what they really were.

And let’s not even bring up the charges on my credit card account. As I struggle to make sense of the string of numbers on my latest statement, I grapple with the realisation that I should have been more disciplined with my finances, what with the recession and all.

That’s the thing about a sale – it makes you throw all logic and practicality out the window. Why? Because that initial emotional payoff – that sense of euphoria at scoring something for half the price and twice the value – is too good to give up.

The retailers in this nation of great shoppers know this all too well. So we shall all brace ourselves in this last stretch of GSS when discounts get steeper and, consequently, buyers' remorse may grow deeper.

That said, is anyone up for a pair of brand new, patent lilac-with-a-slight-grey-tinge pair of slingback heels from Miu Miu? They’re going at half price. Size 37. Call moi.

FASH HAG: I Heart(land) the GSS

2009-07-07T22:00:00Z

Fash Hag treks to the heartlands and bags some good buys.

GLITZY new malls, as you know, are the rage. Exciting retail concepts, spiffy decor, trendy wares -- what more could a fashionista want?

Why, less jostling and more variety would be nice, methinks.

Which is why I believe in seeking alternative shopping haunts. The heartlands is a good place to start with its myriad of options ranging from humble HDB shops to friendly suburban malls.

Before you head out, though, I suggest planning ahead. You don't want to get lost in the maze of housing estates, which can overwhelm the uninitiated.

Here is my battle plan:

1) I trawl shop directories of suburban malls (all listed online), and check out the GSS official website at www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/2009 to find out what are on sale. I set my eye on no more than two malls per day.

2) I go to www.hdb.gov.sg/where2shop to chart my route.

3) I pick up my wallet and get ready to conquer the shops.

The HDB website is a godsend. Launched on July 2001, it lists more than 10,000 heartland retailers - from teh tarik stalls to lingerie shops.

Zoom in on your desired neighbourhood and, with a few clicks, you get a directory of shops in the various town and neighbourhood centres, along with directions on how to get there.

Thanks to the Internet, I also found a shop called Cache Cache Paris in Tampines 1.

Listed on the GSS site, the store stocks cute camisoles and dresses at 70 per cent off.

I also like Diva, a fashion jewellery chain found in suburban malls such as Parkway Parade that stocks on-trend costume baubles.

Other gems that I've uncovered include The Fireplace, a lovely lifestyle shop-cum-cafe at 268 South Bridge Road that stocks everything from designer clocks to hip fashion.

So veer off the beaten track once in a while. You will be rewarded with one-of-a-kind items at unbeatable prices, I promise.

FASH HAG: Go Go Gadget!

2009-07-03T22:00:00Z

Fash Hag gets the lowdown on all things tech.

MY DEARS, I'm interrupting my regular broadcast of GSS gossip and fashion buys with an important post on gadget-hunting.

Now, I know fashionistas like me are not known for their love for all things digital. But what with technology getting more stylish by the nanosecond (hello, new iPhone!), who can resist grabbing a cute laptop or camera going for cheap?

So I thought I'd pick the brains of tech writers on how to sniff out those deals.

As everyone knows, Sim Lim Square is the place to score a tres delicieux deal on gadgets - or to get majorly ripped off.

It pays to do a bit of homework. Instead of heading straight there like a wide-eyed deer bound for the lion's den, Straits Times tech desker Serene Luo says you should first check out the prices at established retailers such as Harvey Norman and Courts.

These set a benchmark from which you can haggle downwards at Sim Lim retailers.

Also, ask around and see if your friends in university, polytechnic, junior college or ITE are buying an Apple computer soon.

Apple's yearly Back To School offer, valid till Sept 8, has a fantastic deal for students and teachers in those institutions: a rebate of up to $365 if you buy a Mac and an iPod Touch. Considering an iPod Touch costs about $390, that's almost like getting one for free.

For those who travel frequently, ST tech writer Tan Weizhen recommends investing in a little nifty thing called the Ready-2-Go Travel Kit.

The kit has a country-specific overseas prepaid SIM card, so pay only the local rates at your destination (some countries also have free incoming calls for local numbers). It also has something called a link card which forwards Singapore calls to your temporary overseas number.

It's selling between $18.90 and $31.90 at most moneychangers, or you can get it at www.trusling.com. Just the thing to keep those exorbitant roaming charges in check.

Finally, I thought I'd ask the boys behind local tech site Tech65.org for their best buys this GSS season.

Those looking to pick up some nice audio speakers should try the X-mini II Capsule Speakers - small yet powerful, says the Tech65 crew. It's available at Challenger for $49.90, but if you're a member, you can knock $4 off.

And if you're keen on toting around one of those little netbooks, the boys recommend the Lenovo S10-2. It's super cute and light at only 1.25kg, and is available at major retailers for $799.

Tune in next week for more deals and steals.Till then, over and out, darlings!

FASH HAG: A breath of fresh air

2009-07-02T22:00:00Z

Fash Hag checks out the new Orchard Central Mall and is pleasantly surprised.

OKAY, so who among you is tired of bargain bin diving at the Great Singapore Sale (GSS)?

Because I am – well, a little bit.

So to cure my shopper’s fatigue, I decided to check out one of the newest attractions in town – the Orchard Central mall next to the Somerset MRT station.

Touted as the "centre of new", it is one of Singapore’s tallest malls, standing at 14 storeys high, including two basements.

What an eye-opener it was.

Although not many shops are open yet, the mall does a good job of advertising who’s in business by displaying wares from various stores in clear glass cases at various locations in the mall. There is also a cluster of mannequins – togged out in clothes and accessories from stores that are open – in the ground floor’s foyer.

For instance, I spotted an uber chic black-and-white maxi dress from Skye and cute tops for clubbing at Glitter Glam – both on the third floor.

Though the corridors look very dark and narrow, as a lot of hoarding is up around unfinished units, a good number of new things will keep even the most jaded of fashionistas occupied.

There are about 11 stores open on the ground level, and brands like Guess, Soo Kee Jewellery and The Hour Glass beckon shoppers with interiors so spanking new they glitter alongside the bling in the display cases.

Desigual, a Spanish casualwear brand on the ground floor facing Orchard Road, caught my eye with banners that said "up to 50 per cent off". I ventured inside and was greeted by cheerful colours and flirty sundresses. Itsy bitsy, cuter-than-polka-dot bikinis were going at a respectable $62 per set – talk about turning up the heat for summer.

Upstairs, I was attracted a mysterious little store called Mika Hayashi, which looked like an hermetic black box with just the words "Japanese diva retro funk store" on the outside.

It is an effective way of drawing curious shoppers in: I found the place crawling with youths pawing over Cosplay-type dresses in psychedelic colours.

Basement one seems to be the most bustling floor for now. Highly reminiscent of Far East Plaza, the stores here are small-sized but plentiful, and appear to cater to the youth market. I found my Louboutins involuntarily tottering over to a store called E2 Lingerie, which sells brassieres, arranged from floor to ceiling, in candy-coloured columns. Better still – some of them are going at 70 per cent discount.

So you see, my daaahlings, you don't need to hang around the same old brands to find good deals this GSS.

Oh yes, that reminds me: One of the best things I found about the mall was its innovative steel and glass facade, which has "super escalators" taking you up more than one storey at a time. The ones that take you to the higher floors give a bird's eye view of the Orchard Road surrounds, which is a breath of fresh air in more ways than one.

FASH HAG: Holidays as a sales haven

2009-06-30T22:00:00Z

Fash Hag thinks planning trips to coincide with sale season is a great idea.

HARDLY anything gives me as much pleasure as planning my next vacation.

Except this - being able to time my trip to coincide with sale season. The myriad choices at marked-down rates make me giddy with gratification.

I’m talking summer sales, dearies, and in the fashion capitals - New York, Paris, London and Milan – no less.

It’s a conundrum which I love turning over in my mind.

See, if you go in June, that’s pre-sales time. So, you will get first dibs.

By July and August, the sales are in full swing in these cities, so the sale picks are endless.

But the later you go, the deeper the discounts as retailers try to offload the current stock to make way for fall/winter merchandise.

I've heard that upscale department store Lane Crawford in Hong Kong may knock prices off by up to 80 per cent on its current season's stock in August.

Tough isn’t it, deciding on the timing? But go, my dears. Then, spend September and October saving up – for the next sale season, of course.

This time, you head to the United States on Black Friday. That’s the last Friday of November for the uninitiated, the day after Thanksgiving and the day that kicks off the year-end holiday sales, which ends on Boxing Day (Dec 26).

For many Americans, it has become tradition to wake up at the wee hours of the morning (think 4am) and head to the nearest mall or hypermarket to queue up – in the bitter cold –and be among the first make a mad dash into the stores once the doors open.

You’ve seen the scenes, I’m sure, in movies like Confessions of a Shopaholic. Yes, the scared-to-lose syndrome extends beyond Singapore shores.

While I don't recommend you open those peepers pre-dawn, it is an eye opener to pop by a mall later in the morning to observe conspicuous consumerism at its frenzied best.

And should you decide to dig in to unearth the buys – from refrigerators to toys – no one will judge: Everyone will be too busy ferreting items for the year-end gift giving.

For those who prefer to stay closer to home, the Malaysia Mega Sale kicks off at the end of November till early January.

With Kuala Lumpur practically a hop and a skip away in these jetsetting days, plus the favourable exchange rate, you can shop like royalty. No wonder Singaporeans were the top spenders at last year's sale.

Finally, fashion-holics, always think local when you shop global. For example, go for Chanel in France, Topshop in England and Uniqlo in Japan. Buying country-of-origin stuff is always cheaper and there will be wider range to choose from in those places than back here.

Not to mention, each time you use what you've bought, it will bring back great memories of your sales holiday.

FASH HAG: Not everyone loves a sale

2009-06-26T22:00:00Z

Fash Hag feels sorry for the victims of the Great Singapore Sale.

THE Great Singapore Sale can be quite a wild experience.

There are the eagle-eyed fashionistas who pounce on killer buys, the prowling bargain hunters who sniff through racks for good steals and, of course, the occasional catfight among shoppers.

When I was stalking the aisles of Wisma Atria last weekend for yet another designer deal, I noticed an oft-neglected species in the retail jungle.

Now, unlike the other three breeds of shoppers, this one is quiet and mostly dormant.

It has the tendency to loiter at shop entrances with a bored, weary or resigned look and maybe a baby or two in tow.

Some clutch multiple shopping bags which clearly do not belong to them while others clutch their hands together, as if praying that the earth would swallow them up.

I'm talking about the poor husband/boyfriend/male companion variety that gets dragged along by their female counterparts on sale sprees.

To while away the time while their gal pals go in for the kill, they hum, they nap or they work their fingers to the bone on their mobile phones.

They connect with their kindred neighbours with a sheepish grin and shrug of the shoulders before staring back down at the floor or into space.

Talk about being a fish out of water. Isn't the sale season supposed to bring great joy to mankind?

Here's a tip for sale victims: Even if nothing on the racks strikes your fancy, there is ample entertainment in store if you just keep your eyes peeled and ears pricked.

Like this posh customer who turned heads at a boutique that stocked European denim label with her loutish behaviour.

When told she would be charged for alteration services, she shouted: 'Some designer labels don't make me pay for alteration. Why should I pay for it here, especially when your items look like they’re made in China?'

Come to think of it, there is yet another species in the retail wildlife worth devoting a column to: the waspish Queen Bee.

Be scared, be very scared.

FASH HAG: Go pamper yourself

2009-06-25T07:51:00Z

Fash Hag gets in a bit of pampering during the Great Singapore Sale.

WE ALL need a bout of pampering every now and then.

More so during the Great Singapore Sale, when after hours of pavement pounding in towering Louboutins, arms laden with shopping bags — not to mention overworked credit cards — sneaking in a mani/pedi or a back massage brings incalculable benefits to body and soul.

As always, my tired soles seek respite in one of the many spa havens along Orchard Road.

My recession-friendly favourite these days: True Spa's 30-minute back relief massage. At just $48, down from the usual $110, it sends you to savings nirvana, doesn't it?

Located at Level 16 Ngee Ann City Tower A, it is so easy to pop by for a quick perk-me-up. The promotion is on till July 26.

After that, it's off to Watsons to check out their latest discounts. With a rotating roster of promotions and innovative products from hard-to-find brands sourced from around the world, especially Japan, many beauty junkies (myself included) have a soft spot for this beauty wonderland.

Ah, I've just spotted one of my favourite affordable make-up brands, the oh-so-girly Majolica Majorca getting into the spirit of bargains. Its user-friend felt-tip liquid eyeliner, the Neo Automatic Liner is now $17.90 (usual: $20.90). That’s not much of a saving, but it is a start for a brand that has never gone on sale before.

Or, give yourself a DIY facial at home with ZA's True White Essence Mask, $21.35 for a pack of six from Watsons (usual: $30.50). Leave the sheet mask, which is soaked with a moisturising essence, on your face for about 20 minutes and when you're done, your skin will be baby soft and glowing.

Me likey.

From one scent lover to another, the Estee Lauder counter at Tangs Orchard will be giving away a miniature perfume bottle of your choice when you spend $120. These tiny bottles not only look dainty on your dresser, they can be easily stashed into a cosmetic pouch when you travel too.

Don’t fancy the throngs along Orchard Road?

Look east – to the cheekily titled Recessionista Relief 2009 Calendar at Polished Hand + Foot Spa (695A East Coast Road). It is a calendar of 20 great deals that are happening throughout this year (also downloadable at www.polished.com.sg).

From now until July 25, get a classic pedicure using perennial fave nail polish brand OPI at just $55 (usual: $80). The best part — OPI's formulae are chip-resistant, so your pedi will last longer.

Now, is that value for money or what?

FASH HAG: Fancy a tasty quickie?

2009-06-23T22:40:00Z

Fash Hag shares her favourite cheap and good nosh spots.

DARLINGS, you know as well as I do that shopping is not so much a hobby as a full-body workout. And boy, does it work up a mean appetite in me.

What with all the traipsing between malls, lugging of shopping bags and elbowing my way through the shopper melee, I'm usually left teetering on my Manolos at the end, utterly famished.

Luckily I've sniffed out a few good places to grab a bite while on my shopping sprees. And I'm talking quality, healthy eats at a bargain, not the usual food court slop or soulless chain restaurant fare.

Whenever I head over to Tangs for my weekly dose of retail therapy, for instance, its gorgeous food hall in the basement always beckons to me with its bounteous offerings.

Make sure you grab the tofu salad ($5.80) at the sushi stall, which is deceptively simple but utterly delish. Crisp iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, silky soft cubes of tofu go perfectly with the creamy dressing (go easy on it to save calories though).

The stall also makes California and unagi handrolls ($1.80) on the spot — you can ask for more cucumber and less mayo.

Something that's definitely worth the calories are the crepes and soups at Saybons (B2-32 Plaza Singapura).

Nestled in handy eat-on-the-go packaging, the savoury crepes are simply divine. Nibble on the ham, cheese and mushroom one ($5.80) or treat yourself to the fragrant seafood bisque ($3.90 for a regular cup).

If you prefer a proper sit-down lunch, try Bakerzin (02-09 Paragon) where a weekday set lunch deal is currently going at $16.80++. This includes a soup, your choice from a limited range of scrumptious mains, and a drink.

Those hankering after some authentic nosh from Nippon should check out one of my fave haunts, Nanbantei (05-132 Far East Plaza).

Its signature lunch yakitori bento sets at $12.50++, which comes with five different types of well-grilled juicy yakitori, always sends me into a rapture.

Beyond Orchard Road, there's a whole host of good eats that can be found at fashionistas' hunting grounds.

Haji Lane, for example, has fresh Middle Eastern salads, dips and kebabs at Al-Tazzag Egyptian Restaurant (24 Haji Lane) and Deli Moroccan (30 Bussorah Street) — all at prices that won't bust your wallet.

And what's better than a frozen treat after a hard day's work at the malls? Bugis Junction has a Yami Yogurt outlet in its basement, while Raffles City has Yoguru.

Dragonfruit and pomegranate yogurt with granola and fresh blueberries at about $6 for a large helping — can anyone say delicieux?

FASH HAG: Smart shopping

2009-06-19T22:32:00Z

Fash Hag gives you the low-down on how to get the best deals at sales.

MY DEARIES, it is time for the ugly truth.

As much as yours truly loves snagging a great deal, the disgusting sight of people clawing away at heaps of bargains is enough to make me swear off sales.

How undignified!

But with the economy still on wobbly legs, every savvy fashionista worth her weight in gold (cards) knows there is no better time than the GSS to cop a few monster bargains.

So I plied my BFFs in the industry — fashion editors, retailers and diehard shopaholics — with bubbly and got them to spill the beans on how they have become masters of the sales.

For starters, why bother joining the scrum at the discount bins?

Simply look under display wagons and behind clothes racks for gems that others may have stashed away.

Apparently, that's where many undecided shoppers hide their shortlisted goodies while they wrestle with their conscience and wallet.

I cannot imagine how anyone could bear to lay down her hard-fought treasures, but as long as you are not snatching stuff out of someone else's hands a la Becky Bloomwood of Confessions Of A Shopaholic, I say it is fair game.

You can also try your luck at the return racks in dressing rooms, which can be a real goldmine especially if you can't find the desired size on the shelves.

Unfortunately, one of the dangers of sale shopping is that you risk running into someone else in the same bargain outfit as you at one point or other.

So, besides hitting the usual high-street labels, make it a point to check out indie boutiques in areas like Club Street and Haji Lane as well to sniff out under-the-radar brands.

To boost your chances of unearthing gems at these places, join their mailing lists or Facebook pages to get sale alerts.

Finally, here's a tip that takes the cake — go shopping before the sale starts.

Most department stores, including Isetan, Robinsons and Tangs, hold sale previews for their card holders.

Savvy shoppers hit the stores the day before the preview to pick out their buys, reserve them and return the next day to lap up the discounts.

Now, is that a smart move or what?

FASH HAG: Guilty no more

2009-06-18T09:25:00Z

Fash Hag gets shopping tips from the celebrity fashionistas.

FEELING guilty about your latest Great Singapore Sale steal(s)?

Well, there's no sweet comfort like knowing there are others like you so I've decided to get some of my famous fashionista friends to divulge what they've been blowing moolah on during this buying bonanza.

My favourite shopaholic pal David Gan incidentally isn't one of them. The hair-cum-shopping guru isn't big on sales – GSS or not.

It's partially because he's crushing on something sometimes even money can't buy: Three more Birkins to add to his collection of three.

But he also had some pearls (of wisdom, darn it) to cast my way: “Don't get too caught up and end up buying items just because they are cheap. It's likely you'll never wear them.”

Freelance creative consultant Tracy Phillips - who calls herself “a fan of any sale” - is one such savvy shopper.

The local style icon revealed that she spent $2,000 on a whooping 12 items at the Club 21 Bazaar, one of the events which kicked off the GSS, including a 3.1 Philip Lim blouse which you can wear many ways and a statement tee from Y-3 that ends in a tail.

Now, anyone who can snag a dozen designer items for the price of one deserves a gold medal from the Singapore Retailers Association, if you ask moi.

Never mind that one of her buys is a $100 Balenciaga cap which she bought only “because everyone else couldn't fit it and they were all asking me to buy it.”

I spotted it myself at the Bazaar preview and it was very cute in a Janet Jackson Rhythm Nation kind of way – a hard top dark blue beret with a chain in front that one gal pal described as “a bit policeman, a bit S&M (sadomasochism)”.

How about playing fashion police, girl? I've got your first criminal for you: Show producer Daniel Boey.

The dapper dresser shared that some of his top GSS buys this year include a – get this - $1,800 suit from a British mid-market label and some skinny jeans from a European brand for more than $200.

Dear boy, with several retailers slashing prices by up to 80 per cent, those don't quite seem like steals, do they?

But Boey’s defence: “I buy things not because of the price but because I like them and know they can match with at least five other items in my wardrobe and can be worn to at least five different occasions.”

Fair enough.

This fashion judge sentences you to a day of shopping at the Salvation Army and hope you learn a thing or two about bargain hunting.