Shopping in the kong...

OK so when Huang asked me to share a couple of HK shopping tips, it seemed like the ultimate no-brainer. I love clothes. I’ve worked in retail. I genuinely enjoy fashion. I live here. Who better to ask? And so I’ve compiled a few of what are in my opinion “must-visits.” This is by no means a comprehensive shopping list of HK. But these stores are some of my favourite shopping destinations here in the Kong and so hopefully you will enjoy them too…

Where should we start? Well obviously at the beginning. And it all started at the Landmark… No—seriously, for clothes I always start at the landmark. The Landmark is literally Hong Kong’s flagship shopping destination, given the number of flagship stores that it houses, right? Of course.
I pretty much live at Harvey Nichols. You know, I think multi-brand retail is one of the coolest but most difficult things to do. When I go to a store, I look for a perspective. You want to be able to walk in and feel the vibe, if you know what I mean. And when you have tens of thousands of square feet, its even more difficult because you have lots of little perspectives (or departments) within a larger framework…
I love Harvey Nicks because in many ways it epitomizes my way of life. Obviously its not literally exactly me, but in theory gets quite close. The store is about great fashion and not about brands. It’s luxurious and loves quality. It’s a comfortable and intimate store—one where you can literally sit down and read a book without feeling out of place. And it has a sense of humour—it’s a serious place but come on, any store that houses a restaurant that serves fried peanut-butter and banana sandwiches obviously has gotten over itself, at least a little bit.
So start with a visit to HN, give Jenny, my personal shopper, a call, and take a look around. They wont tell me what’s coming in next season but this season I’ve been obsessed with the Jitrois leather pants that I picked up. Radcliffe skinny jeans rock but I’m still hoping to see hyper-baggies or flares next season. Goyard totes of course. But most to die for? Basso and Brooke print ANYTHING and Giles Deacon dresses… But anyways. Come see for yourselves.

OK. Moving on. One of my friends has as his skype mood message “Rock is dead, go paper and scissors!!!” Maybe. But I think the exhibitionist in me—and my love of The Clash—keeps rock n roll alive in my book irregardless of trends and so the next place I would send any friend of mine is to Rock Candy.
Rock Candy is the brain-child of hong kong’s very own scenesters. Walking in—if you can actually find the door, which I never can—you basically enter a nightclub. Not surprising as the brand was created by the same people who brought us Volar, and soon, Halo. But really, the store is so dark that if it wasn’t filled with diamonds, you wouldn’t be able to see anything.
Rock Candy’s jewelry lies in a space that is sort of only known to those who frequent it. Diamond dog tags? I mean its post-bling, maybe? Ok so I can’t describe it but imagine crossing ESF, missy elliott, and maybe like the killers and creating lots of diamond objects. Its fun. And for celebrity junkies they are the people responsible for Justin Lo’s diamond earring and a new collaboration with Vanness.
But these boys are rock stars, club owners, hipsters, dj’s, creative wonders and a whole lot more by day. Rock Candy rocks cause of their ability to bring it all together and let you literally take home a small piece of the action.

I don’t think any trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a stop off a GOD (Goods of Desire). Yes, I realize that they mainly sell houseware and that their clothes and accessories are sort of obvious but I think that they rock.
GOD is Hong Kong. They’ve basically been able to grab hold of pieces of Hong Kong culture and turn them into accessible and fun things. It’s for people who are beyond trying, happy-go-lucky, and proud of Hong Kong’s local culture (yes—we actually do have some, but that is another conversation altogether). I love their tongue-in-cheek takes on the little things in our lives…

And now, back to “fashion.” Hong Kong has lots of “designers.” Some are good and some are not so good. But one “boy” has been around for a long time and has really made his mark—Barney Cheng.
Trained as an architect, Barney somehow found his way to his calling in the nineties. Having dressed basically every major actress / superstar in Hong Kong since his first days out, he is the pinnacle of Hong Kong couture. We have a love-hate relationship cause I usually call him at three pm to get a dress for 7pm, but if you are in Hong Kong and want a serious dress, he’s your man. (actually the SS07 J Mendel is fantastic but that’s another story right…).
One of the problems with Barney’s dresses is that sometimes they wear you, instead of you wearing them. I mean—if you don’t have any personality, beware, cause he definetly does. But in my book, if you just want to look “pretty” its not hard. Go to Barney if you want to look definitive. And, if you’re lucky, he’ll let you buy some of his custom jewelry as well. Seriously though—I’ve been waiting on my piece for like two years. Maybe you’ll have more luck.

I think that in the last year or two, somehow, little Hollywood starlets have become theoretical fashion icons and LA style has crept its way onto the scene. Again, LA is another conversation entirely, but for a taste of Cali, drop in through TRACE.
Trace, by Tracy, channels LA gear (no pun intended) to Hong Kong. Tracy lives between LA and Hong Kong actually, and her store carries designers like Michelle Mason, Siwy, Johnson Shorts, lots of T-shirts (I personally like plain ones) and easy cotton jersey dresses.
I love Trace cause I love Tracy. She was “not” my college roommate. We were supposed to live together, but we never did. She was the one who brushed her hair and wore real clothes to school (I used to go to school in my pajama’s). Scary but one of the things that drew me to Tracy was her Prada bowling bag—she used this as a bookbag? OK, enough reminiscing.
Trace stocks trendy and fun clothes that are easy to wear and hard to find. Swing through to get a taste of Roberston Blvd.

Alright so now for my little indulgences. I know this is supposed to be about fashion but fashion extends beyond just clothes and so here is my laundry list of other places where you can buy things.
I love music and so I have to put in a couple of record stores. White Noise Records is my new favourite place—they have the best indie selection in Hong Kong. Vinnie, Hong Kong’s premiere chic dj (although he is actually crazy cool in real life), has a record store on Star Street that is attached to the Illy Café. To turn your home into the hippest lounge or club in town, go to Vinnie. And don’t hate on superstars—visit HMV for hyper produced but fun / good pop hits.
For just sheer random objects—Kapok. Kapok is this tiny gallery / store that sells random things. Some are local underground bits and pieces, some are artsy whatevers… its hard to put a finger on. Buts its random, and fun if you have time.
And finally, drop through Page One. I love books and Page One has the best selection in Hong Kong. Nobody should go through life without reading. Books rock. Blogs and periodicals are cool, but there’s nothing like going back to basics.

I wish I had more to say on things like “street” wear or whatever you want to call it. Unfortunately I don’t. But I hear that there’s a lot of stuff going on between thinksilly, clot, greedy, and all of those people. I will get back to you if I find out more…

OK I m now out of words and battery. Enjoy shopping.

Comments

[renee]

awesome entries and book recs. would love to hear your views on top restaurants and gift shopping. r