Seoul is synonymous for great shopping and Korean girls are true devotees when it comes to fashion. Shopping in Seoul is like having an incredible dream filled with infinite clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.
While doing some much needed Seoul-searching, I felt it was only appropriate I pay my fashion dues. So I decided to shop my way through Seoul accessorising with a different designer bag each day. Actually this wasn't hard considering I was staying with Gracie, who has a love for latest and greatest designer bags. This is a showcase of Seoul's shopping districts and a tribute to the beautiful designer bags that carried me through each day.
Day 1
Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Alma BB Rose Florentine
While doing some much needed Seoul-searching, I felt it was only appropriate I pay my fashion dues. So I decided to shop my way through Seoul accessorising with a different designer bag each day. Actually this wasn't hard considering I was staying with Gracie, who has a love for latest and greatest designer bags. This is a showcase of Seoul's shopping districts and a tribute to the beautiful designer bags that carried me through each day.
Day 1
Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Alma BB Rose Florentine
Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong
This is one of Seoul’s main shopping districts featuring mid-to-high end local and international retail stores – and possibly my favourite shopping area. This is where the huge department stores are including Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store. Definitely for the uber-brand-conscious consumers - with stores such as Mont Blanc, Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Bottega Veneta and the list goes on.On the main street of Myeong-dong, you’ll find Zara, Forever 21 and H&M, but my favourite stores are actually the local boutiques huddled in the smaller streets and alleyways. I brought so much here I ended up having to post the clothes I originally packed back home.
Chanel @ Shinsegae Department Store, super-sized chicken, potatoes & noodle dish for dinner, plasma in the toilet & even a store with my name - ALO!
Day 2
Design Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Manhattan MM
Design Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Manhattan MM
Shopping Destination: Namdaemun Market & Dongdaemun Market
Namdaemun Market is comparable to Flemington Markets or Paddy’s Markets in Sydney – crowded, a little dirty, great area for souvenirs and bargains.
Thinking we were going to stay longer in this area (we were supposed to meet with our wholesalers to stock up on new accessories for Dress Me Pretty, but they were on holidays!), Gracie and I ate at this modest Mandu (bun) noodle shop. We look really happy in the photos, but it was so hot and humid (especially in my fur – don’t ask me why I decided to wear this), the seating was uncomfortable and dirty and the Mandu wasn’t that great. On the plus side sitting outside the shop attracted so many customers for them. Before GA (Gracie and Ange) – zero customers, After GA – long queues of customers.
Namdaemun Market is comparable to Flemington Markets or Paddy’s Markets in Sydney – crowded, a little dirty, great area for souvenirs and bargains.
Thinking we were going to stay longer in this area (we were supposed to meet with our wholesalers to stock up on new accessories for Dress Me Pretty, but they were on holidays!), Gracie and I ate at this modest Mandu (bun) noodle shop. We look really happy in the photos, but it was so hot and humid (especially in my fur – don’t ask me why I decided to wear this), the seating was uncomfortable and dirty and the Mandu wasn’t that great. On the plus side sitting outside the shop attracted so many customers for them. Before GA (Gracie and Ange) – zero customers, After GA – long queues of customers.
Mandu noodle soup, Namdaemun Market stalls, fruit on a stick & weird footwear trend (apparently Koreans love them)!
Luckily, much to my shopping relief, we soon headed to Dongdaemun Market. To Koreans this area is known as the "world's extraordinarily large shopping town". With over 30 shopping centres and 30,000 stores and opening hours from 10am to 5am the next day – shopaholics can shop till their hearts are content. The three main shopping centres to visit are Doosan Tower (or Doota), Migliore and Hello apM (all right next to one another). Doota is the more xsy of the three, but it is definitely the best in terms of quality, design and shopping experience. Friends of ours who have come here have shopped till 3am just in Doota!
Day 3
Designer Bag: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Hobo
Designer Bag: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Hobo
Shopping Destination: Garosugil, Sinsa-dong
In this upmarket area, Garosugil literally means 'tree-line Ssreet'. This is 'Europe in Seoul' (perhaps preparing me for what to expect when I get to Paris??) and is impeccably lined with trees (of course), trendy fashion boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars.
In this upmarket area, Garosugil literally means 'tree-line Ssreet'. This is 'Europe in Seoul' (perhaps preparing me for what to expect when I get to Paris??) and is impeccably lined with trees (of course), trendy fashion boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars.
In laneways off the main street, you’ll discover more designer boutiques such as Vanessa Bruno and Jill Stuart. A must to stop-by is Le Bunny Bleu – a café & shoe store; Gracie and I must have tried on every single shoe and they were still gracious enough to take our picture. Need a break in between shopping? Visit Goodovening Cupcakes and try the English Tea Party cupcake.
The tree-lined streets of Sinsa, our fave store Le Bunny Bleu for cute ballet flats, Goodovening Cupcakes & ramen for dinner
Day 4
Designer Bag: Valentino 360 in Fuschia
Designer Bag: Valentino 360 in Fuschia
Shopping Destination: Hongdae
Hongik University is located here, so Hongdae is an area that boosts the swankiest bars and hippest clubs for college youths. Another attraction to Hongdae is the number of kitschy and eclectic cafes on offer. Our agenda to Hongdae was the latter. Everyone knows I have 2 loves - Hello Kitty (my bridal shower was Hello Kitty themed) and dogs. Hongdae satisfies them both – so this was on my VIP Must-Dos while in Seoul.
I did Gracie’s hair in the morning (putting into practice my new talent;) and I donned cute bunny ears and we headed to Hello Kitty Cafe!! We even skipped breakfast and lunch just so we can fit as much kittylicious in!
I did Gracie’s hair in the morning (putting into practice my new talent;) and I donned cute bunny ears and we headed to Hello Kitty Cafe!! We even skipped breakfast and lunch just so we can fit as much kittylicious in!
Sayonara Kitty...
All sweetened out, Gracie and Steve took me to celebrate my birthday at Mercado for Brazilin BBQ. They made the token Brazilian serve all the customers LOL. We finished the night with more sweet things - ice cream at Cold Stone tehehe.
Day 5
Designer Bag: Balenciaga City Neiman Marcus 10 Year Anniversary in Bois de Rose
Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong
Gracie had to work, so I decided to head back to Myeong-dong. You really need more than one day here especially if you want to look in the department stores, but I prefer browsing the shops located on the street.
Another must-do while here is to stock up on Korean beauty products and Myeong-dong has plenty of beauty boutiques. It’s really a novelty, but all the stores try to entice you in by handing out free samples, pens, face masks, makeup removal pads, etc. I wish they did that in Sydney…My fave beauty destination was Etude House. I couldn’t get enough of their BB Cream and Faux Lashes.
Later that night, I made red velvet cupcakes! Korean kitchens don't have ovens(!!), luckily Christine brought Gracie a Sunbeam Cupcake Maker. These are the yummiest cupcakes (recipe in my next post).
Day 6
Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton Judy in GM
Shopping Destination: Garosugil, Sinsa-dong
In the morning, I accompanied Gracie for her 20 week ultrasound scan. It was so exciting watching baby Nugget on the monitor, but the scan revealed some sad news for Gracie and that she has placenta pervia : ( At this stage Nugget is healthy and extremely active, so we are all praying that mum and Nugget will be fine.
Not much to report on the shopping-front, went back to Garosugil and chilled out in the Nescafe. I think at this stage, I was all shopped-out (or maybe it was staying up till 3am baking red velvet cupcakes...) so I headed home for some much deserved sleep – refreshed and ready for 50c ribs that night in Itaewon (tourist/expat area)! Yums – I was so excited!
Day 7
Designer Bag: Prada Nappa Antique Tote
Shopping Destination: LONDON!!
Oh farewell Seoul! I had to carry my own bag for this leg…it was fun carrying all the other ones though. I wish I could pack Noodles (Gracie’s dog) and take her home with me.
Week’s Verdict
Fave Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong. Anything and everything from high-end to chain stores to local designers all in the one place.
Fave Designer Bag: Valentino 360 – this bag is surprising roomy and extremely comfortable to carry. Plus I love the colour – it’s so much fun and brightens up any outfit. Doing some quick research, I can get one from Strictly Pursonal for only $995 plus $200 shipping. I want! I want!
Also while I was never a huge fan of the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato when it was introduced, I was proven wrong and I love this bag now. It's understated chic, making it a classic investment piece.
Thanks Gracie for taking me on a shopping expedition plus letting me carry all your fabulous bags xoxo
Day 5
Designer Bag: Balenciaga City Neiman Marcus 10 Year Anniversary in Bois de Rose
Gracie had to work, so I decided to head back to Myeong-dong. You really need more than one day here especially if you want to look in the department stores, but I prefer browsing the shops located on the street.
Another must-do while here is to stock up on Korean beauty products and Myeong-dong has plenty of beauty boutiques. It’s really a novelty, but all the stores try to entice you in by handing out free samples, pens, face masks, makeup removal pads, etc. I wish they did that in Sydney…My fave beauty destination was Etude House. I couldn’t get enough of their BB Cream and Faux Lashes.
Street food- so yummy & totally acceptable to eat & chicken soup in Sinchon for dinner
Later that night, I made red velvet cupcakes! Korean kitchens don't have ovens(!!), luckily Christine brought Gracie a Sunbeam Cupcake Maker. These are the yummiest cupcakes (recipe in my next post).
Day 6
Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton Judy in GM
In the morning, I accompanied Gracie for her 20 week ultrasound scan. It was so exciting watching baby Nugget on the monitor, but the scan revealed some sad news for Gracie and that she has placenta pervia : ( At this stage Nugget is healthy and extremely active, so we are all praying that mum and Nugget will be fine.
Not much to report on the shopping-front, went back to Garosugil and chilled out in the Nescafe. I think at this stage, I was all shopped-out (or maybe it was staying up till 3am baking red velvet cupcakes...) so I headed home for some much deserved sleep – refreshed and ready for 50c ribs that night in Itaewon (tourist/expat area)! Yums – I was so excited!
Day 7
Designer Bag: Prada Nappa Antique Tote
Oh farewell Seoul! I had to carry my own bag for this leg…it was fun carrying all the other ones though. I wish I could pack Noodles (Gracie’s dog) and take her home with me.
Week’s Verdict
Fave Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong. Anything and everything from high-end to chain stores to local designers all in the one place.
Fave Designer Bag: Valentino 360 – this bag is surprising roomy and extremely comfortable to carry. Plus I love the colour – it’s so much fun and brightens up any outfit. Doing some quick research, I can get one from Strictly Pursonal for only $995 plus $200 shipping. I want! I want!
Also while I was never a huge fan of the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato when it was introduced, I was proven wrong and I love this bag now. It's understated chic, making it a classic investment piece.
Thanks Gracie for taking me on a shopping expedition plus letting me carry all your fabulous bags xoxo
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3 comments:
OOooh get the bag hun, thats a great price!! And what a fabulous post u put up, im linking it directly from mine :)
I misses u already!!!! XXxxxxxxOooooooo
i miss Korea & Gracie too!! So much fun when I went there this year...the best host ever! Great photos & very descriptive...I dont think I remember what all the places were called!
Oh Gracie helped with the names of the places. But let's go together next time - it will be sooo much fun
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