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Style in..... Tokyo JAPAN by Monique Dekker

We have asked people from all around the world to share with us their Style tips of the place they call home. If you would like to contribute to Style In.... just click here to contact us.

What Place are you writing about?
Tokyo, Japan

A Little About You
My name is Monique Dekker, a Dutch National currently living and working in Tokyo. I have been in Tokyo for almost two years now. Before Tokyo, my husband Ben and I lived in Singapore, Chicago, Boston and New York.

Tokyo is a huge Metropolis. 17 million people live in Tokyo and about 37 million people live in Tokyo and its suburbs. Needless to say it is a hectic and fast-paced environment. I am currently the General Manager of Roppongi Hills Club a private members dining Club managed by Hyatt Hotels Corporation (www.roppongihillsclub.com). I have worked for Hyatt for 14 years now and this is my first General Managers position. The Club is a very exciting and exclusive environment. Our members are very diverse; ranging from high-placed politicians and ambassadors, powerful business men and women, actors and actresses, models to entrepeneurs, designers and artists. Both Japanese as well as foreigners!

In my free time I like to discover new places and traditions of Japan, play with my dog Ringo – the naughtiest beagle on the planet. As well as swim, bike and run with my husband Ben who set up his own company in Tokyo specialized in bike fitting and consultancy www.t1bicycles.com. 

Your Favorite Place to Shop?
The most important outfit in Tokyo is a black suit. Everyone in Tokyo owns several black suits and conservative ties/blouses and shoes. Hyatt also requires its managers to wear black suits so I have several.

Unfortunately since I am Dutch and at least 20-30cm taller than the average Japanese woman, it is very difficult for me to shop here. I have all my suits made in Hong Kong by a wonderful tailor – Vijay from NobleHouse. For shoes, blouses etc. I take a few trips abroad or order them online.

There are however, great shops in Tokyo. All big fashion houses have several stores in different areas of Tokyo – like Omotesando, Ginza and Roppongi. Japanese have an obsession with name brands and they all (both women and men) wear handbags by Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci etc. I can assure you that all these bags are real and not from the market somewhere in Thailand. Japanese people like to dress up. The women love anything with glitter, glimmer, sparkles, lace, pearls and ruffles. There are several very cute boutiques in Omotesando and Roppongi that provide this style. Fashion for a younger audience can be found in Shinjuku and Shibuya, as long as you can handle the pounding house-music coming from the store’s speakers.

Any Local designers you have found?
The Japanese are known to be very fashion conscious and some great designers have arisen; Issey Miyake, Kenzo Takada and Hanae Mori to name a few. I have not really found (or looked for) any local small designers, as their items will not fit me. As a comparison the Banana Republic here only carries up to an American Size 6 and the length is adjusted to fit the Asian Physique.

Style In...Merano, Italy by Photographer Gino Nalini from Nalini Photography

We have asked people from all around the world to share with us their Style tips of the place they call home. If you would like to contribute to Style In.... just click here to contact us.

What Place are you writing about?
Merano in Italy. The secret is that although Merano is completely surrounded by snowy peaks that can reach altitudes of 10,000 feet, the city itself sits in a lush valley only 1,000 feet high – and so we might go as far as to call it “The Italian Shangri-La.” Less than an hour’s easy drive from excellent downhill slopes, cross-country trails and well-marked hiking paths, the city has a sheltered climate that keeps it mild in winter and cool in summer.

To get here, you can take a train from Milan or Venice (through nearby Bolzano) or you can drive up from either city in 2-3 hours. If you’d rather come over from Austria or Switzerland, it’s a gorgeous 2-hour drive through the Alps, with vistas of cows or sheep grazing in lush meadows, 16th-century monasteries and solitary chapels, teensy weensy hillside villages and myriad bridges flung across raging mountain streams. Several of the latter come together to form the lively Passirio River, which runs right through the heart of Merano. 

A Little About You

Gino Nalini, Photographer, Born in Merano (South Tyrol, Italy) Gino's unique Italian style has seen his work featured in Italian and Australian magazines and books. Including prestigious photography cool culture magazine Black White, Studio Brides, Studio Bambini, Women's Weekly and Vive to name a few. Gino holds a strong presence in Italy and he is regularly commissioned as official photographer for special events. Have a look at Gino's work

Your Favorite Place to Shop?
Meran’s town centre is a veritable paradise for everyone who loves shopping. There are exclusive boutiques, trendy jeans outlets, branches of the most famous fashion chains, gourmet shops, bookshops and jewellers.There is nothing you will not find here. Just come and see! 

My favourite shop is   Be More..... Yourself!  Jeans & Sportswear  Via Cassa di Risparmio 27

Style In.....Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, MEXICO by Eva van Heck

We have asked people from all around the world to share with us their Style tips of the place they call home. If you would like to contribute to Style In.... just click here to contact us.

What Place are you writing about?
Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, MEXICO

A Little About You
My name is Eva van Heck, of Dutch nationality but living 7 years in Playa del Carmen.... Playa del Carmen is located on the Caribbean Sea and one of the fastest growing cities in the world, it changed enormously since I arrived here 7 years ago, but still has its typical mexican ambience and relaxed atmosphere. Beachlife is the best way to describe the ambience!!

I am the co-owner of a small dive business 'Pink Panther Divers' (www.pinkpantherdivers.com) and work also as a freelance tourguide, among others in a tour 'snorkeling with whalesharks'. Used to work in the hotel business but seeing the beautifull Caribbean Sea just for about an hour a day during my lunch break, I decided 3 years ago for a complete change and started working as a dive and tourguide and still enjoying it fully! In my free time I like to play beach volleyball, swimming, walking on the beach, watching people on the famous 5a avenida in Playa del Carmen and touring around Mexico to discover new places and traditions....

Your Favorite Place to Shop?
The most important outfit in Playa is a bathing suit and 'Zingara' has a huge collection and several shops in Playa del Carmen. They also have pareos, hats and flipflops to complete your beach outfit....

Sunglasses can't be missed either and you can find all known brands at 'Sunglass Island', they also have several shops along the 5th avenue...

Then my favourite footwear here are flipflops, I have a nice collection of all colours and types (for work, to go to the beach, to go for a walk on the 5th avenue). My latest favourites are the ones designed by Giselle Bundchen from Ipanema. A nice store to find all kind of Havaianas and Ipanema flipflops is called 'It's all about feet'....

For more dressed up clothes it is difficult to find

a nice place in Playa, 'Bershka' and 'Pull and Bear' are the best choice, any other shop has all the typical touristy shirts with Playa del Carmen written on them.... In Cancun (about 60km from Playa) you can find nicer shops with good brands, the one I prefer is 'Zara', because they have the European sizes and trousers have the right length! (is hard to find here because most Mexicans are not that tall)..

Any Local designers you have found?
No local designers...... although there are some typical shops where they sell clothes of a fabric called 'manta' and they have nice designs for the type of beachlife in Playa.