Smelling sweet and looking fresh at Tiare

The Tiare, a type of Gardenia, is native to Polynesia where young women tuck the flowers behind their ears to show whether they’re on the look out for Mr. Right or not. The white, star-shaped flower is credited with curing a number of ailments, including migraines, and thanks to its sweet, heady fragrance does a pretty good job of covering up the less delicious scents associated with living in a hot and humid climate.

I found a Tiare on Staunton Street. It was a prize example of this pretty genus of flower, and the perfect cure for many frustrating hours spent tramping the malls of Hong Kong looking for something decent to wear. Shopping in Hong Kong isn’t easy unless a) you’re as petite as the Chinese, b) you have a small fortune to spend on designer labels or c) you don’t mind ending up in the same thing as everyone else from Mango, Zara, French Connection or H&M.

Tiare Boutique in Soho is a breath of sweet fresh air that does its namesake proud. Stocked with both established and up-and-coming LA brands the shop offers Western girls on an average budget perfectly selected, stylish clothes that can be worn both at work and play. US clothes means US sizing, and it came as a very pleasant surprise to finally be zipping up into a small again!

Owned by Kathleen Sweeney, a Hong Kong born Californian who’s returned to her roots, and managed by her best-friend and fellow California girl the shop is light and spacious with a refreshingly relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Shoppers can roam the rails in peace without an irritating assistant following half a pace behind, as is so often the case in this city. Dressing rooms are large and even include a pair of stilettos to try the gorgeous dresses, skirts and jeans on with. Make sure you come out of the changing room to admire your reflection though as the mirrors inside make you look deceptively slim.

Tiare’s collection typically includes dresses and t-shirts from Velvet (their bestsellers apparently), Raven Denim (I loved the selection of skinny jeans), Michael Stars tees, clothes by Indo-Chinese inspired brand Da-Nang, dresses by Alan Schwartz for ABS and the new luxury line, Graham & Spencer, from Velvet designers Jenny Graham and Toni Spencer. Accessories junkies can further sate their appetite for all things Californian with a spot-on selection of chunky belts, sexy-but-cute underwear and semi-precious jewellery from Vietnamese-born, US-based designer Thoi Vo.

The collection at Tiare is constantly updated and refreshed and the shop staff are a real help if you’re looking for something special: they know about everything that’s arriving well in advance and I’ve already got my sights set on a slinky deep plum number by Graham and Spencer. Ask to be added to the mailing list too so you can be kept up-to-date about what’s coming in, special events and sales.

I’ve saved best part about Tiare until last… Every girl out for a retail fix can rest easy, the boutique stocks just one of each size in every style throughout their collection. At long last they’ll be no more turning up for drinks and dinner to be greeted with ten identikits looking better in your outfit than you; retail migraine officially relieved.

Tiare Boutique, Ground Floor, 53 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong
t. +852 2540 3380 f. +852 2540 3382 e. info@tiareboutique.com
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm; Sunday, 12pm – 6pm; closed on Mondays.