Here’s the happy news… Seby is returning to Vancouver!

The Tokyo-based model/musician and I are guests at Anime Evolution (June 27 and 28), at the University of British Columbia. We hope to meet you there!

Keep reading for the convention details, and a peek inside one of my favorite Hong Kong streetwear stores, Izzue.

Join La Carmina and Seby at Anime Evolution in Vancouver, Canada!
WHERE: University of British Columbia
WHEN: We are appearing June 27-8. The convention runs til June 30.
TICKETS: Info here.

- Thursday, June 27
7-8pm Autograph session outside the main events room

- Friday, June 28
1-2pm Fashion & Modeling panel (Main Events 2) – We’ll talk about our work in entertainment, and breaking into music & TV.
2-3pm Autograph session (Exhibitors/Vendors Hall)
4-5pm Living and Travelling in Japan (Main Events 2) – We encourage you to ask questions about visiting and moving to Tokyo.

Seby and I have traveled all over the world together, and one of our favorite stops is Hong Kong. I always look forward to shopping in the I.T Izzue boutique. Why? A picture is worth a thousand words.

The Chinese chain has locations all over Hong Kong, but only some of the Izzue shops carry the streetwear brand Hyoma.

These photos are from last fall (I’ll post the spring collection soon). Who can resist a googly-eyed pumpkin face?

Or an eye-ball purse? A snow-ball scarf?

One of my favorite branches is the I.T store in Causeway Bay. The store has its own sleek fashion line, and it’s one of my favorites for menswear. Slim fits, leather, crosses and rocker edge.

The top floor of Causeway Bay’s I.T holds international designer brands, like Alexander McQueen.

The shoe selection, oh!

Hyoma, the bunny-faced character, originated in Japan but is now produced here.

There are multiple mens and womens brands inside, but this is my favorite, for obvious reasons.

Recognize the fuzzy big-eyed purse? I have it in black.

The Babydoppy Mini Cream line is for kiddies.

Some of the coordinates are a tad over-the-top, even for me.

But a few choice pieces — a scarf, or polka dot shoes — can give you street-style spark.

I know you want bunny sneakers…

I.T and Izzue are must-visit shops in Hong Kong. The displays are always inspiring, such as this Red Riding Hood window.

This is the designer-only I.T branch in Elements, the Tsim Tsa Shui shopping center.

A Rick Owens vibe, on the mannequins.

A great place to pick up Gothic and leather wear, if you can afford it.

What do you think of Hyoma and the I.T & Izzue stores? Does Hong Kong fashion surprise you? How does it compare to Japan’s?

For more images, see my 2011 blog about this Chinese clothing chain.

Be sure to read my Hong Kong fashion category for more shopping suggestions. And add Discover Hong Kong on Facebook for peeks into local fashion boutiques.

Seby and I can’t wait to meet you at Anime Evolution Vancouver, June 27-30. Hope to see you at our panels and autograph tables — don’t be shy!

Yes, I travel non-stop. Days after Montreal, I’m hopping on a plane for Hong Kong — excited to do a fantastical magazine shoot here!

(Above, I’m wearing Hong Kong clothing brands: a bunny scarf from the Miffy clothing store, and shoes from Izzue.)

I was in Hong Kong last September, and already miss the shopping. The fashion turns over quickly, and cute cats are a popular design motif.

While strolling in K11 Art Mall last autumn, I discovered a new brand Toro x Mandycat.

These kawaii kitties are the star of this pop-up shop.

Glasses cat + eyebrows cat = an amazing “classroom” design collection.

The bright display extended into the floor, with decals of raised cat paws and classroom materials.

I bought this silver wrap-around kitty ring. I had to. (Here’s a similar cat-faced ring.)

It’s hard to pass up shopping in Hong Kong when prices are low, there’s no tax, and you can’t get these items anywhere else. To convert prices to US dollars, divide by eight.

The stationery is cute without being too kiddy-ish. If you like the items above, check out this Kutusita Nyanko cat pencil case.

The cartoonist’s cats took over several locations of Ginger, the t-shirt and accessories stores.

I bought the striped t-shirt dress on the far left. You can see me wearing it in my Hong Kong travel video.

The pop-up shop was in K-11, the art-themed shopping mall in Tsim Tsa Tsui. It’s relatively new, and has a Mona Lisa made of toast in the entrance.

K11 houses many design shops and random installations, such as these dreidel-chairs…

Superhero penguins…

Sneakers made of paper…

,,, and neon teddy bears!

Since we’re on the subject of cats… Doraemon had a limited edition fashion collaboration with Hong Kong clothing brand Chocoolate.

Last simmer, Doraemon (or Ding Dong, as he’s known in Chinese) celebrated his “100th birthday” with a hundred cat-statues in Hong Kong Harbour. Remember John Skeleton’s photos of the Doraemon anniversary exhibit?

Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, almost all the items had sold out. Only the pancake pillows were left.

On the bright side, Chocoolate is always doing enticing collaborations with cute characters. In 2011, they worked with Snoopy. Last fall’s line featured Wallace and Gromit.

Thoughts on Hong Kong’s fashion, compared to Japan’s? Are you intrigued by Chinese street style? Discover HK’s Facebook page has more shopping tips and trends.

For more from K-11 mall, read my post about making candy at Sticky, a custom confectionery shop.

PS: Thanks Posse for interviewing me about my favorite Tokyo shops and cafes! I’m loving their city guides to “the best places on Earth.”