Saturday, November 8, 2008

Bandung: City of Shoppers #1



Ask any visitors of their reasons for visiting Bandung, and chances are that shopping and eating are high on their list. Bandung is indeed considered by many as a top shopping and culinary destination in Indonesia and even in Southeast Asia. To local visitors at least, Bandung is well known for its many fashion distros (distribution outlets), FOs (factory outlets), cozy cafes and restos.

Distros and FOs are a kind of shop that sells fashion and apparel products directly from factories. This marketing model that cuts short the distribution chain (and hence significantly reduces the prices of commodities) began to emerge in the early 1990s. Now you can find them in many parts of the city, with those on Jalan Dago (Dago Street), Jalan Riau (LRE Martadinata), Jalan Cihampelas, and Jalan Dr. Setiabudhi being the most popular.

Bandung shopping experience, however, does not stop with distros and FOs. In fact, they may be just the beginning of it. For those of you who like high-end, branded merchandize, Bandung also has a large number of internationally branded chain shops to choose from. Or, if you are the kind of person who enjoys adventure and does not mind haggling/bargaining, the various specialized traditional markets and the streets are the way to go. Not only do these markets offer the same range of merchandizes you can find at distros and high end branded chain shops, they also offer them for much much less.

I took the above photo of colorful t-shirts and blouses at King's Shopping Center on Jalan Kepatihan (Kepatihan Street). And how much do they cost? At the current rate, they cost US$5 or less. Very cheap indeed for well-made and beautifully designed blouses like those.

15 comments:

Dina said...

I'm learning some new words from you. Fun.
Are the clothes made in Indonesia?

Your question on the cats took me by surprise. I will search for some mention of cats. But now, almost midnight, so good night for now.

Virginia said...

Oh I am all about a disto and FO. I need to come for a visit!!!
V

Unknown said...

I went to border(Indo/Mal)market.I bought some crystal bowl.wow!!cheap & good quality.Will post about this soon.
Have a nice day.

Rambling Woods said...

Those models look a little more real and healthy than the very thin ones that you see in our (US) stores. Interesting...

USelaine said...

Hmm. I can't remember if I've ever worn a top with a brand name on it. I don't mind if it is on the label inside the clothes, but I don't like to be walking advertising for a corporation. If the white blouse had sleeves, I would choose that one. 8^) It's fun to shop without spending money.

Ryan Achadiat said...

i think i will buy one for my little sister.

i became a photoblogger since a month ago.
i love photography, but i don't know where i can publish it.
so, thank you very much for your session sir.

Penyamun Riau said...

It's a right statement, we are in Riau request some materials of fashion from this city..

Anonymous said...

Yup. Cheap, indeed at just US$5! Nice to know that you can shop till you drop at Bandung! =)

escape said...

who would not want cheap shopping?!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Even here we have designer label outlets. Some things are great levellers, such as shopping.

Photo Cache said...

Wow, now I know where to go when around those parts. Love the new terminologies I learned today.

Anonymous said...

it showed that Bandung is fashion city,we can get many reasonable fashion stuff here.....

gadhogadho said...

A visit to Bandung is almost always on top of the itinerary for most of my guests.

And as for the food, a delicious Sundanese meal in a traditional setting just makes the day perfect.

tr3nta said...

that's a curious exposition...

Cik Luna said...

i just love bandung!!!