There's a lot about Christing C that one might find intimidating -- her sultry pout and moody poses, legs that go up to there, and of course, a name that sounds almost worthy of worship.
But when we met Hong Kong-based fashion blogger Christing Chang at her brand new boutique and showroom on Wyndham Street, we were surprised at how friendly and down-to-earth she really was.
Chang was born in the US but moved to the UK when she was 15 for boarding school.
"I worked in a lot of fashion publications in the UK as an intern and fashion assistant before starting my own blog, Fashion Hedonism, two years ago," said Chang, who moved from London to Hong Kong last December to be closer to her brother.
"As it became more popular, I started meeting a lot of young fashion designers at fashion weeks and trade shows in Sweden, Australia, and New York. Many of them were already quite famous in their own countries and among fashion bloggers, but didn't yet have a presence in Hong Kong."
Christing C. caters to girls who like to have fun with fashion.
Seeing that there wasn't much of a middle market for fashion in Hong Kong, Chang decided to open her own boutique featuring designers like Bec & Bridge, Rachel Gilbert, Maurie & Eve and more to cater to "girls who like to have fun with fashion and aren't afraid to try something new."
The result, Christing C, is what Chang refers to as her "aspirational wardrobe," an online shop and rustic showroom space where pieces are not arranged by designer, but by the way she would have arranged them in her own wardrobe: "bottoms, blazers, knits, dresses, colourful dresses, neutral dresses, statement dresses and basic T's."
One thing that Chang can't live without are her black ankle boots.
"Everything's really easy to mix and match," said Chang, who looked camera-ready as ever in a stylish black tee with netted wing-sleeves, cut-off denim shorts and a pair of black, high heeled booties. But not everyone has the fashion sense to put together such an outfit, right?
"I definitely think anyone can be fashionable," said Chang, who encourages women to take risks with fashion in order to discover their own personal style. "Most people have an idea of what they want to look like but are too afraid to try it, and end up going the safe route instead."
Shop online at ChristingC.com or at Chang's showroom on Wyndham Street.
"In some situations, their inner fashionista only comes out on their birthday or wedding day, but why can't it be everyday? If you see something that you love, but think it's 'not you', you should try it on anyway because it just might be your style after all."
"Each season, I try to pick out two or three trends that aren't really 'me' and try to integrate them into my wardrobe," said Chang. "For example, I really like the metallic trend this season, and although I never really wear jeans or trousers, I've bought myself a pair of metallic jeans just to give it a try."
Still, there are some things Chang will never be caught wearing, like jeans folded up over boots, Crocs, and other things she deems as "non-fashion."
Chang says women should give all fashion trends a try, at least once.
Pop into the showroom this Saturday, 24 September 2011, from 2pm - 11pm to meet the fashionista herself, and you'll get a gift certificate worth HK$500 that's valid for a week.
Christing C, 3/F Kai Kwong House, 13 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 5370 8128, www.christingc.com
