Instant Goddess declines drinks but dresses delectably at Damina

Under the Instant Goddess shopping spotlight this week is Damina. My regulars may recall that we gave a wee shout out to newly opened Damina in Soho recently, and the other week I swung by the store for a more in-depth look and to catch up with the creative duo behind this new label: Laura Nelson Carney and Donna Nguyen Phuoc.

We got off to flying start… on entering the store the first thing I was asked by the lovely Laura and Donna was whether I wanted a glass of champagne while I perused their fabulous array of signature maxis in gorgeous prints and wonderful bursts of colour. Immediately, I felt my fashion credentials go down the pan as I declined and settled for an espresso instead. I know, I know…how very un-rock-n-roll and un-Instant-Goddess-like… but it had been an excessive week, and it took the utmost resolve to decline!

But champagne and cappuccinos are par for the course at Damina. Laura and Donna want visitors to have an enjoyable and memorable shopping experience rather than the run-of-the-mill Velcro shopping assistants and “hello, welcome” robots found in so many of Hong Kong’s high street shops.

Damina is more than a shop… by day the boutique is a place where mamas can pop in to change nappies, with a full sized baby changing station in the shop and even feed their babies in the shop’s high chair with no obligation to purchase anything! Being mamas themselves, Laura and Donna insisted on this as they remembered oh-so-well the difficulty of finding somewhere baby friendly in Soho. But in true Sassy Mama/Instant Goddess style, once the babies are sleeping and calm, by night Damina turns into a place where you can sip champagne on the balcony overlooking Peel and Elgin Street while perusing Damina’s collection in-store.

Ava maxi dress, $1990; Aria dress, $1590; Joelle jumpsuit, $2390.

But back to the actual collection… Laura and Donna say it’s “fun, fresh, full of attitude, and on-trend” and on meeting Laura and Donna with their tales of an exciting lunch they had just been to with an emerald dealer you just know that the collections are always going to be fun, with a good punch of glamour to stand out from the crowd day to night.

I’ve already mentioned the gorgeous signature maxis, but there’s way more to this collection than just full-length. If long isn’t your thing, don’t worry – the glamorous resortwear side of the collection offers shorter dresses and unique jumpsuits. But, Goddesses – as we know so well – life is (sadly) not all about lounging, so the collection also includes work dresses that will take you from day to night with effortless style and glamour. With cooler times ahead in Hong Kong, Damina have also included tailored outerwear and cashmere sweaters as part of their collection.

Best of all, the designs in the collection are well thought out to flatter all figures and to complement busy mamas-on-the-go, as much of the collection is made from comfortable, lightweight jersey which means mama remains wrinkle-free and glamorous all day long –how very Instant Goddess! Certain styles also work well before, during, and after pregnancy and allow yummy mummies to nurse easily. The quality is impeccable with all garments being made in France or Italy.

Antionette, $2290; Gisele, $1590; Antionette, $2290.

Mariely jacket, $2450; Eloise, $2290; Lili $1390.

And men also get a look-in… Damina are introducing a range of Italian-made button-down fashion shirts with unique and exquisite detailing – contrasting or double collars, AMF stitching detail, French cuffs and bold colour. Laura and Donna say they’re “the kind of hard-to-find ‘anti’ business shirt that well-dressed men wear on a Friday night out”. The shirts are designed to fit a full range of Western and Asian body types and sizes and again the quality is impeccable but affordable… this could be the perfect present for your man this year! 

Top left: white blue flowers $980; Top right: blue white stripes $1090; Bottom left: small blue flowers $980; Bottom right: blue yellow flowers $980

Damina, Shop 1A, 63 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong; Tel 2559 9750; email [email protected]
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12pm-9pm; Friday and Saturday 12pm – 10pm.

www.daminafashion.com

Midweek Meal Inspiration
This week it’s yummy Broccoli, Gorgonzola & Walnut Quiche courtesy of the legendary Good Housekeeping from the UK. And we know that Instant Goddess does like to keep a good house! This dish is not only a full-on flavour, veggie option, but also easy-peasy with the use of ready made short crust pastry. Rolling pin at the ready, Goddesses!

Yogi tea saying of the week: “Don’t be afraid to be yourself”.

Instant Goddess saying of the week: “Just say no to the champagne… think of the heartburn the next day”.

Until next week goddesses and you’re ALWAYS, ALWAYS worth it! XX