Turning away from mass production, Du chooses to present his creations as hand-made haute couture that can fetch high prices -- NT$40,000 for an evening dress, for example. His shoes' price tags are relatively low, fetching between NT$5,000 to NT$15,000. Another line of more casual footwear for young women is also on its way to the market.
Beside samples of haute couture dresses and high-heels, visitors at Du's boutique at the newly opened ATT Qui on Zhongxiao East Road can also check out the colorful handmade handbags from Ipa-Nima, the fast-rising handbag and accessory brand adored by Hollywood stars and models, and whose celebrity clients include former US first lady Senator Hillary Clinton and Asian diva Faye Wang (王菲).
Created by Hong Kong-born, Vietnam-based designer Christina Yu, who has graced the pages of Vogue and Asiaweek, Ipa-Nima's exotic creations are funky, boldly fusing colors and fabrics. Yu splashes sea blue, spring green, canary yellow, and gold and silver together on leather, hand-woven silk, cotton, and linen. Such a fusion screams fun, and satisfies women's desire to be fashionably different without going overboard. For women seeking a more dressy look, there are a series of small party handbags with sequins and gems, while cotton and canvas bags boasting floral patterns are good for work environments.
What's more, uniqueness in the form of Ipa-Nima access-ories won't cost you an arm and a leg. Imagine that -- walking out of a boutique with not only a one-of-a-kind look, but just enough spare change to get you home on the MRT to boot.



