Atypical Hong Kong...

The Loony Bin ( loonies@bloodaxe.com)
Thu, 10 Apr 03 01:10:36 +0100


Hiya People...

Today we look at the lighter side of the recent viral outbreaks in Hong
Kong...sent in by Andrew...

Wishes & Dreams...

- ANDREA
        xx

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*********** ANDROMEDA **** Internet Goddess ***********

  ------- Forwarded foolishness follows -------


Atypical Hong Kong
------------------

March 24, 2003

War may have just broken out in Iraq, and a contagious pneumonia is on
the loose, but Hong Kong people can't seem to get enough of their
beloved designer labels. On Saturday, Louis Vuitton in Hong Kong
released a limited edition atypical pneumonia mask, especially for the
Hong Kong market, in super-soft Connolly leather with a monogrammed
sterling silver clasp. This luxurious and unfeasibly comfortable mask
comes with a matching protective case to allow its users to store it
away safely in their Kelly bags without contaminating their shatoosh
shawls. At a retail price of HK$1,800 (approximately US$230), one would
have expected these to be more of a publicity stunt than a serious
retail proposition, but by Saturday lunchtime, all 88 limited edition
masks had been sold.

Across town in the sprawling Gucci boutique, the company spokesperson
said that they would be shortly releasing a designer mask as an addition
to their summer 2003 accessories range. She declined to mention details,
except to say that it would of course be in black and would incorporate
the Gucci buckle. A Hong Kong tai-tai (the local equivalent of ladies-
who-lunch) in the store at that time said that she was eagerly awaiting
its release and had put herself down on the waiting list, adding:
"Everyone knows that black is the new Burberry".

Burberry, meanwhile, has not as yet brought out a mask and says that it
has no immediate plans to do so, but fake Burberry masks can already be
found across the border in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, where Hong Kong
people and visiting tourists go for day trips to stock up on fake goods.
For just RMB10 (US$1.25), one can get a surgical mask with a Burberry
check trim and some functional yet rather fetching beige elastic
earloops. This correspondent bought a box of twenty, and was given a
free "men's hold-all", which despite its uncanny resemblance to a
toiletries bag appears to be hugely popular with the local menfolk.

All this consumerism may appear to be frivolous, especially in times
such as these, but it does emphasize the breathtaking speed at which the
fashion industry reacts to the latest news and trends. Mainstream and
luxury goods retailers are increasingly capitalizing on current affairs
in order to come up with killer fads. And where else to do this than in
a city full of fashionistas: as a Hong Kong advertising executive put
it, "When you have a cutting edge, never-seen-before virus, you've got
to fight it with a cutting edge, never-seen-before mask. Designer masks
for designer viruses".

Back at Louis Vuitton, a tai-tai who had bought two of the limited
edition masks - presumably one for herself and one for her husband -
wandered back into the store yesterday to say how much she loved her new
mask and how jealous the other members of her lunch group were. Before
speaking she of course had to unclasp the Louis Vuitton Connolly leather
mask that she was wearing... and then reached down to unclasp the second
Louis Vuitton Connolly leather mask that her pet poodle Benzie was
wearing.

Atypical masks for atypical pneumonia in an atypically unique city.


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