There’s not much to be had in Malaysia that isn’t better made somewhere else (batik, for example). But Peter Hoe is a pure Malaysian original, and his two boutiques unite the best of both contemporary and laid-back fashion and design. The first, called Evolution and located across from Central Market to catch tourist traffic, is crammed with his flowery shirts. The second, called Beyond,  [ Read More ]

  Local olives have been pressed into oil since Roman times. But the ancients did not package the plant nearly as well as Olia, tel: (972-3) 522 3235. Israel’s first haute olive-oil boutique stocks 12 premium blends, as well as flavorful olive tapenades infused with Parmesan cheese or za’atar (a salted herb mix incorporating a local variety of oregano). There’s also a new collection of shampoo, face scrubs and the  [ Read More ]

  It’s almost a cliche to take home a T-shirt as a souvenir, but not if it’s designed by Team Manila. Their fun, eye-opening, often cheeky visual representations of the Philippine capital’s street culture allow you to wear a piece of the city on your sleeve (or rather torso). Recently released tees include a shirt depicting skewered meats with the slogan IT’S BETTER ON A STICK, a POST NO BILL  [ Read More ]