Lisa Ho

I am going to try to write this review in conjunction with Dindo’s review — for the sake of camaraderie, and in the interest of the reader who probably doesn’t want to read a rehash.
Dindo and I are just two guys, waltzing around, looking for a place to review. We’ve happened upon the same place, it seems. And, being your typical male, bipedal organism, the first thing we noticed was the inherent worth in the establishment. Of course, I’m hardly experienced enough to judge the worth on my own, so I’m using the price tags as a guideline. I’ve not seen clothes so expensive.
But then, it’s not often I’m in a shop selling things which can be described so accurately as ‘gowns’. There are gowns. And gowns are expensive. So that’s not a bad thing, I guess. At least, that’s what my rational mind tells me. When I went into the store, though, I froze and panicked, and very nearly jumped right back out again. I thought, if I refuse to acknowledge the existence of this place, it’ll be all the less likely milady will become aware of it.
But I respect Dindo’s sentiments. He’s ‘a fiend for girls who pull off evening gowns really well’, but (pun alert), I think I’m fine pulling them off myself, if it really comes down to it. And if I’m so busy pulling them off, one has to wonder what I’m doing (or what the average lady’s doing) spending all this money in the first place, when the gown’s going to be spending most of its miserable life in the dark confines or a closet or scrunched up on my bedroom floor, right beside my dirty socks.
And I noticed a certain dispassion from the staff as well, which docks the score a little bit. There are a lot of places I’ll be lenient on for standoffish staff, but a clothes store (where I’m intimidated, lost, and a little scared) is not one of them.

Unilocal-​bombing (verb) — of reviews, to be part of a diametrically opposed demographic to be relevant, and in doing so, providing mild lol moments to the two or three other people that read the reviews for this business.
Having seen Dindo and Mario having a crack at reviewing this place, I thought I might add my two cents. I can attest, with much sadness and gnashing of teeth, that Dindo is far from being alone in spending large amounts of cash on a dress that the target of his and my affections (dude, maybe we dated the same girl) did not end up with sack time. Maybe the name of the place is a little misleading, after all.
Now, that was a long time ago, but recently I was in there with my wonderful wife who loved having a look at the gowns in there. It’s undeniable, they’re beautiful. They’re also undeniably pricey. And like both Mario and Dindo, I too noticed the staff attitude. I think they have a highly developed sense of being able to detect large amounts of money and «correct» body shapes in combination, and as I possess neither, I felt no better than a big mac at a vegan feast.

20/​12/​2011 Photos
Lisa Ho is a well-​known fashion designer originally from Sydney and has done so well with her business, that there are 13 stores all over Australia now. Caution: Her dresses are so mind-​blowingly $$$$ expensive! Arguably the most expensive I’ve come across in Adelaide so far. The shop attendant seemed just… I dunno how to say it… disappointingly dispassionate about the store… so the experience is truly what you make of it, but be ready for your ears to blow when she tells you the price.
I highly recommend popping down for a visit while you are walking down Rundle Street. You’ll be instantly enchanted by the lavish evening gowns («I’d be really happy if my boyfriend bought me this dress») and casual wear and your brain will suddenly start singing Fergie’s Glamorous before you know it: «If you ain’t go no money, take yo broke ass home!»
The shop attendant was far less into her casual wear collection. Being a fiend for girls who pull off evening gowns really well, apart from the high end price, and disinterest of the staff, I had no complaints about the store. But unless you are «rich as», you’ll probably want to think harder about where you’re going to get that kind of money.
Tip for the dudes: Let your girlfriend know that you’re planning to get a Lisa Ho dress for her, before you actually purchase, because from what my previous ex-​girlfriend taught me harshly, the most expensive dress won’t get you laid for Xmas.
Good luck…