Bags etc at a bargain

Fantasise about decking out in designer labels from head to toe but unwilling, unable and unhappy to pay normal price? KEE HUA CHEE has the solution. 

Melium Outlet (MO) Taman Shamelin Perkasa 62, Jalan 8/91, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur [phone]

Open daily 10am to 7pm. 

Melium’s discount warehouse Melium Outlet (MO) in Taman Shamelin Perkasa, Kuala Lumpur, is a mere 10 minutes’ drive from posh KLCC.  

Another surprise: MO is identical to Melium’s swanky stores! No ‘pile-’em-high-sell-’em-cheap’ and no banners screaming ‘Closing down’ or ‘Everything must go’. For the first time, a discount warehouse resembles a typical, upscale boutique where goods are elegantly displayed and shown in their best light as they would have been when full priced.  

The goods are properly stocked on customised shelves, racks and rows. The uniformed staff are as knowledgeable and professional as their counterparts in KLCC, Avenue K, Starhill, Lot 10 and Times Square. There are lavish floral displays and even luxurious leather sofas (instead of rickety plastic chairs) for weary hubbies to rest. MO even flaunts a Dome Cafe downstairs for coffee, tea and snacks!  

Lots and lots of shoes.

The floors are tiled and polished to a sheen till you can see yourself. Browsing is such fun as you never know what bargains are languishing amid the splendid surrounds.  

“Just because the goods are marked down does NOT mean the environment has to be grimy or downtrodden,” explains Sia Jun Ann, MO’s manager.  

“Melium customers don’t have to rummage through bins or plough through knee-deep, carelessly thrown garments. Melium’s reputation as a high-end retailer demands MO offer an identical experience to our designer shops – similar décor and same level of service. MO represents high fashion at low prices but is still premium shopping with proper changing rooms. Even our toilets earn us praise.” 

Before MO, savvy shoppers found their manna at Melium’s Luxury for Less, Designers for Less and Melium Warehouse at Lot 10, Starhill and Bangsar Shopping Centre. Now all have been consolidated into Melium Outlet (MO), a vast 8,000 sq ft (743 sq m) of designer labels spread over the ground and first floors of Melium headquarters.  

Buy now or take the risk? 

“Melium’s designer stores all follow the international seasonal calendar. After six months, the end-of-season stocks go on sale in the boutiques for one to two months. The unsold goods are then shifted to MO. 

You’ll find bargain basement prices here, but MO is certainly no basement.

Savvy fashionistas buy the best must-haves from each season and buy everyday clothes from brand outlets. MO is the shopping secret that is heaven-sent for style gurus. 

MO’s Event Hall on ground level changes monthly as prices get decimated even more drastically.  

Until May 15, Aseana Fashions where Melinda Looi dresses, Ghea’s sarongs, Milo’s batik and Paul Ropp’s wrap pants can be had for a song. From mid May, Events Hall is offering fantastic deals on leather goods from Furla, Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman and Aigner. 

Bargains galore! 

Never mind the sales pitch, let’s look at prices, did you say? 

Here goes: Hugo Boss ties now RM130 from RM325, Zegna shirts now RM400 from RM1,000, Ermenegildo Zegna suits now RM2,000 from RM6,700, Furla handbags now RM700 from RM1,400, Furla shoes now RM400 from RM1,000, Stuart Weitzman shoes now RM250 from RM1,000 and a spectacular Etienne Aigner ostrich skin handbag originally priced at RM22,000 now RM6,600. However, the ponyskin bag is still available, now RM2,250 from RM4,500. 

MO cuts the prices of unsold goods so older stuff are slashed to the bone to make room for new stocks. So anytime is a great time to visit.