It's Always Shopping Time in HK

A COMMON SIGHT-LINES TO GET INTO STORES

Before my travels to Hong Kong, I always assumed that the best shopping was in New York City. Yet, either you drop buckets of cash on high end designers, spend money on younger designers, that offer unique style, yet at times the quality doesn't match the price tag (their small production runs hurt both them and their potential consumers) or you can enter J Crew, H&M, Banana Republic, etc etc which offer the basics, without much ingenuity. Last time I dropped into Club Monaco, I was shocked at the prices ($100.00 for a t shirt made in China). I was excited for Top Shop's entry, yet found I had aged out and gladly so, the clothing is a complete rip off.

Over the last years, I realized that these "homogenized" stores were making loads of cash, using China production as their gateway. They pay bargain production prices in China, and rather than pay these local Chinese employees more money, they earn more profit. We consumer don't benefit.

While in Hong Kong, yes, there are the typical brands, but there are countless (even in the malls) one off shops made up of Japanese brands, Korean brands, HK based brands, and tons of lower cost versions of IF and Opening Ceremony throughout the city. And most of these stores are quite affordable, even outside of the abundant sales.

According to the HK Tourism Board, 50% of tourists money is spent on shopping. And the locals love to shop as well, indicative in their style, the 100s of malls (which are fun to shop, as the stores are unique) and the crowded shops (at all times). Hong Kong is a duty free port, there is no sales tax and with most of the production taking place in China, all of these unique shops carry fantastic clothes at the fraction of the price we pay in the west.

Its a candy store for the fashion oriented and I will use this blog to introduce new designers from the East along with the top concept stores in the city.

Dear Bell Accessories

SOME RECENT SELECTIONS IN THEIR SHOP

Local Hong Kong fashion designers are inspired by the Japanese scene, yet I find they take the more whimsical and refine it for the business centered landscape of HK. The office attire doesn't seem to approve of extreme fashion forward environments. But there are also many locals whom push the limits and know their consumer-Asian teens-whom love kitch, whimsy, and all things girlie. A dear girlfriend of mine, based in Hong Kong, recently mentioned that after years in NYC it was liberating for her to live in HK where she can purchase clothing more girl-centric. One has the option to not look so refined-tough. Recently found this shop, Dear Bell, designed by Mr. Bell Kwan. He uses materials such as kids toys, mini perfume bottles and found objects. Super price point (19.00-50.00 USD) and will make great presents for that teen queen (or king) in your life.
Dear Bell Website

Shoes, the beginning of the end

My Shoes, Very Worn In, After 3 monts

2010 Alexander Wang

I realize that this may be the beginning of many blog pieces regarding shoes in Hong Kong. First and foremost, unique shoes are everywhere and all at affordable prices (meaning between $30-$100 USD). The only challenge, if you are above a size 8 (Euro 38) you may have some difficulty finding sizes. There are so many shoe stores selling wares from China, Korea and Thailand. I have heard rumors (and I will do further research), that the same factories which make shoes for top designer and luxury brands also make shoes for the mass market-at times knocking off shoes-with small changes--and yes, the same quality. And I can prove my point. A few months back, I found a pair of shoes at a HK based shop called B + a b (I will review shop later). $51.00 USD. Comfortable. Well made. Genius.

Why can I NEVER find good shoes in NYC for such prices? Yawn, Aldo.

Few weeks into my purchase, I walked into Lane Crawford's shoe section. Darted for the Alexander Wang section (he is popular here, not a surprise) looking for his Spring 2010 collection (i failed to pay attention to the shoes during his show). And what do I see? My shoes. My shoes, at a price of $750.00 USD. Snickering (sorry Alexander, I do adore you), I tried on a pair. With the exception of a better heel (Wangs), the quality was exactly the same. Since these shoes were on the store shelves at the same time, all based on a photo, these were knocked off, and who knows, perhaps they share the same factory....

Not certain if this is a fashion victory. I design clothes.

And I will get into the ethics of "knock off" later. Its a heavy subject and I have yet to develop an intelligent framework. Don't get the claws out yet...

From Chinatown...To China

131 BOWERY, CHINATOWN, NYC

HONG KONG LANDSCAPE

To give my new readers a context, moving to Asia didn't feel as if it was a big adjustment. Perhaps it was the fact that I lived in NYC's Chinatown for many years. I was accustomed to being overwhelmed on the streets, bubble tea (before it became popular), and the smells of frying pork in the air. I had learned how to do business with the Chinese (I had numerous Chinese landlords) and encountered language issues in all the nearby shops.

There are many similarities. The streets are inspirational, the energy is intense, there is a strong fashion sense, restaurants and nightlife abundant, both are islands and both are huge financial centers (can't avoid the bankers in either city). NYC has a strong art & cultural scene, and there is a lot of creative happenings in Hong Kong, you just need to dig more deep.

In Hong Kong, the men are better dressed and it is hands down the shopping capital of the world. All the more reason to start a blog, just to prove to all my New York fashion friends, that yes, there are inspiring places outside of downtown Manhattan....