Vintage vibes.

The article reports that regular shoppers from Japan, China, Taiwan and South Korea are frequent visitors to Paper Bag Princess, one of Los Angeles' most renowned and celebrity-patronised vintage boutiques store. They are primarily interested in iconic American fashion symbols. According to Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, by May 2004, there were 84 percent more Japanese tourists on islands than in the preceding year. Los Angeles designer Kate O'Connor, whose specialty is ponchos made from silk/cotton mixes, bamboo, or viscose, says that she has had a good run on the retail front in Japan.