Frivolous Universe

COLOR IS THE NEW BLACK: Playing dress up with Dalis Chum of COLOR — Cambodia’s homegrown, microfinanced vintage clothing pioneer

Polished, affordable, vintage clothing and accessories in Cambodia? And all run by a whip-smart, sassy Khmer businesswoman with great fashion sense? I know I jump on a dime these days, but I went full-on trampoline for Phnom Penh’s new COLOR Vintage Clothing & Accessories:

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style

Dalis Chum–a 29-year-old entrepreneur, single mother, and owner of COLOR–gave me the run of her vintage racks yesterday. It was hard choosing, but I finally settled on three outfits and two motorbikes I long to sneak past Suvarnabhumi Airport customs.

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style, safari dress, Komono glasses from Terminal 21, Bangkok

Not only are COLOR dresses darling, scot-free of the typical fades / snags / stains that plague vintage clothing, and perfectly pressed, but her COLOR accessories rocked my world. These Chinese metal orbs-cum-earrings only set me back five bucks and they’re surprisingly light on the ears.

safari dress: Mashhad International ($18)

fabric belt with metal buckle: ($10)

hi-so sunglasses: KOMONO, Gadhype, Terminal 21, Bangkok

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style, red skirt, long fitted coat

slim-fit long black coat: Jazz Club Ctd. ($45)

black cotton top: ($8)

red skirt: ($13)

comfy Cece suede ballet flats with hidden wedge: J.Crew

After all that street jumping it was time for a more grounded look.

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style, red skirt, long fitted jacket

I love a maraschino-red mini paired with a simple top and jingle-jangle earrings ($5). And as you can see, COLOR doesn’t neglect the boys with its hand-picked selection of vintage vests, trousers, and other dapper menswear.

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style, red beret, silver-hoop heart earrings

I love these silver-hoop earrings with big black hearts for $30. How in the world did I forget to buy them? I think tomorrow may warrant a return visit. And if the beautiful glove don’t fit, COLOR offers in-store tailoring to ensure a flattering silhouette.

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style, Honda scooter, heart earrings, silver hoops

Two more things I can’t get enough of: Honda scooters and trompe l’oeil skirts. I have the hips of a 14-year-old boy and a waist that balloons after a single can of Anchor. Not only is this Mardern Milan skirt yet another COLOR five-buck steal, but it creates the nip-tuck illusion of a tiny waist with its poofed, ruched hips. Et voilà–instant voluptueux!

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style, Modern Milan

And last but not least, the impeccably accessorized beauties who made this post possible: Dalis Chum of COLOR and my booking agent/buddy extraordinaire, Vanessa Boots.

Kim Philley, Frivolous Universe, FU, http://http://www.frivolousuniverse.com/, Vanessa Boots, Pedro, Dalis Chum, Sovandalis Chum, COLOR Vintage Clothing and Accessories, Cambodian woman, businesswomen, micro-finance, colorvintage.wordpress.com, asian street style, Phnom Penh fashion, street style

Photography by Dalis Chum and Vanessa Boots 

Clothes, glorious clothes by Dalis Chum of COLOR, #168 Street 13, Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia (+855 9578 7768)

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