Truly Asian shopping

With her kohl-rimmed eyes and neon-pink bob, Zandra Rhodes is as vibrant and unmistakable as her designs, worn by fellow free spirits such as Debbie Harry, Bianca Jagger and the late Isabella Blow. The British fashion icon — one of the few who put London on the map in the 1970s — was on a two-pronged mission in Kuala Lumpur: to showcase her upcoming collection at Esplanade KLCC, part of KL Fashion Weekend AW13, and to promote her exhibition, “Zandra Rhodes: A Lifelong Love Affair with Textiles.” Her presence on that rain-lashed afternoon was a very good omen.

That this series of events, held in conjunction with the 1Malaysia Year-End Sale, coincides, in turn, with the hustle and dance of the holidays, is a masterful stroke. Half a decade ago, when I first set foot in the Malaysian capital, I already sensed the makings of an emergent and thoroughly exciting shopping destination.

This time around, I noticed that the retail scene in Kuala Lumpur has not only gathered momentum but is, in fact, charging at full speed. Its deluxe malls and humble markets, comparable to the world’s best, heaved with even more steals, splurges and surprises. CNN, who ranked it fourth in its list of the world’s 12 best shopping cities, behind New York, Tokyo, and London, says: “KL’s impressive score comes from its winning combination of high-quality shopping, affordable prices and reliable sales, which can stretch for several months.”

EXCUSE TO BE GIDDY

For instance, Suria KLCC, the shopping complex at the base of the mighty Petronas Twin Towers, seems to be busier than ever. While the likes of Tod’s, Prada and Mulberry continue to serve as its reliable top-drawer anchors, youthful diffusion brands such as Versace Jeans and Denim & Supply, launched by Ralph Lauren in late 2011, have since set up shop.

Aseana, which calls itself Malaysia’s largest luxury multi-brand boutique, can also be found at Suria, sating those with a yen for MSGM, Marchesa, and Pedro Garcia. Since Malaysia does not impose any duty on books and magazines, the titles at the beloved Japanese chain Kinokuniya — whether Monocle, Another Man or Alexa Chung’s It — turn out to be significantly less expensive than they are in Manila.           

Pavilion KL, all dolled up for the Christmas season, is another excuse to be giddy and a reason to linger in the trendy Bukit Bintang district. Label hounds will have a field day caressing the racks at Lanvin, Givenchy or Saint Laurent Paris, and perhaps even the children’s wear by Moschino and Burberry at Parkson. (The toddler version of this season’s royal guard cashmere knit is annoyingly adorable.) Other signs of civilization abound: The Topshop there carries the Meadham Kirchhoff collaboration and a free-standing Diptyque outlet stocks special-edition candles by French design duo Tsé & Tsé.  

HOMEGROWN AND PROMISING

But if you ask me, it’s the homegrown shops that hold the most promise. At the Padini Concept Store, I succumbed to a few items by Seed, including the perfect chambray shirt and a bright red hoodie that exudes tailored refinement beneath its casual top notes. I also browsed Typo for holiday presents and ended up buying multiples: one or two to give away and yet one more to keep for myself. There’s a line of quirky expression that runs through this novelty boutique, right down to the ceramic pen holders in the shape of a baby fox, gold-plated scissors inspired by the Eiffel Tower and dinosaur tree ornaments that amplify the Christmas spirit.

Still in the Golden Triangle, a manageable stroll from Pavilion KL, lies a cluster of shopping centers catering to a range of needs, wants and tastes. Sungei Wang, whose name translates to “river of money” or “river of gold,” speaks foremost to young consumers in search of Korean-style streetwear. Plaza Low Yat, often abbreviated to PLY, specializes in all manner of electronics. Berjaya Times Square, further afield, houses a hotel, condominium and indoor amusement park alongside a massive shopping center.

GUILTLESS PURCHASES

It was at Berjaya Times Square where I came across a branch of Kitschen. The local brand, founded in 2008, focuses on fun, colorful, livable things to be worn any time of day, much like a Southeast Asian Topman. I swooned over a red field jacket reminiscent of a classic CP Company design and a bomber that borrows Christopher Kane’s punchy galaxy prints, each with a maximum RM100 (P1,400) price tag.

Though the quality of certain items is open to discussion — a loose button here, shoddy stitching there — the wallet-friendly Kitschen is undeniably popular with Malaysian youth, going by the queues at the cashier on a Saturday evening. I exited the store guiltlessly, clutching a graphic sweatshirt and an ethnic-print shirt to fill the gaps in my wardrobe.

As I gazed at the faraway Jamek Mosque, huddled at the junction of the Gombak and Klang rivers, I noticed something I hadn’t seen in the past. In this area, behind Kuala Lumpur’s Central Market, was an abandoned building, beguiling in its decrepit, early-1900s beauty. Like catching sight of Zandra Rhodes, this, too, was a good sign.

The serendipity summed up, in some way, my brief visit to the Malaysian capital. Though it’s a place I’m beginning to know like the back of my hand, it still yields enough untold wonders to make it seem as if I’ve never been there before.

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The 1Malaysia Year-End Sale runs from Nov. 16 to Jan. 14, 2014. www.tourismmalysia.gov.my.

Special thanks to Bianca Tamayo of Tourism Malaysia, Miriam Chicote and Francis Dumlao. 

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