From the money honey boulevards of haute couture houses in Paris to the bustling market stalls in Bangkok, where haggling is polished to a fine art, our six fab fashionistas share their ultimate shopping destinations.

interviews KRIZETTE LAURETA CHU
THE HOLY GRAIL: PARIS
Debbie Co, designer

As a designer of wedding gowns and romantic frocks, it’s no wonder that celebrated fashion designer Debbie Co’s pick would be Paris. “It was love at first sight,” she shares. While studying fashion design at Parsons two years ago, she had ample opportunity to explore the city. “If I had the time and money, I’d visit Paris every year…” she sighs. “Or maybe twice a year!”

What makes Paris special?

Its unique ambiance, feel, and culture are just nowhere to be found anywhere else in the world. Parisians make impeccable fashion sense look like a walk in the park. A sense of individuality is taken seriously in this city.

Must-visits:

Colette, Maria Luisa, Le Bon Marche, Azzedine Alaia

Best places to splurge:

Azzedine Alaia, Balenciaga, Chanel, Hermés, Lanvin, Givenchy
Best places to hit when you’re cash-strapped: H&M, Monoprix (it’s like the US Target!)
Best buys: Bags from Balenciaga, Goyard, and Chanel since they are a lot cheaper in Paris as well as some unique clothing items I’ve found in small boutiques in the Marais. Also, some items from high-end labels like Jil Sander that I got during the summer sale season.

FROM PRESTIGE TO MASSTIGE: SINGAPORE

Mutya Laxa Buensuceso, beauty executive

As a young girl, Mutya Laxa Buensuceso learned how to be creative dressing up, especially with a “costurera” at her disposal. Now the Singapore-based Ponds’ global director loves her husband’s art so much she wears it with her structural cotton tops for her corporate wear. “I like comfort, but I also like looking different and special!”

Why do you love it here in Singapore?

Singapore is a coming together of different Asian influences and experiences all in one clean, safe, and efficient place. Plus, the variety of merchandise from all the luxury brands to the flea markets in Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street, and the sheer number of malls! When one does not have natural tourist attractions, world heritage sites, or an old-world culture, one, I guess, really has to create something to drive the commerce and tourism. And for Singapore, it’s shopping and Sentosa for now.

Must-visits:

The new Ion at Orchard, the classic Takashimaya at Ngee Ann City, Raffles City Mall, and Vivo City. You can never go wrong with the shopping here. All the brands you know of are all here, from prestige to masstige.

Best place to splurge:

JNBY. It’s by Japanese designers and the collections are simply amazing. I like their structures and cuts and the sheer comfort of their clothing whether for office, smart casual, or weekend wear. My other favorite store is Club Monaco.

Best places to hit when you’re cash-strapped:

There are a couple of stores at Vivo City that can rival Mango, Topshop, or Uniqlo like Kitschen and Marc, but I would still go for the ever reliable Mphosis, which is a Singapore brand that is also wildly popular in Manila.

Best buys:

I was able to buy a really good CK and Club Monaco wardrobe during their fifty to seventy percent off sales here. I just went crazy buying tops and dresses because of how huge the discounts were on favorite brands. I also got a really nice limited edition blue, black, and white tote from Longchamp at fifty off!

This article has been edited for this website. Get the complete lineup of photographs in the November 2009 issue of Sense&Style.