Stylist puts fun back into accessories at pop-up shop

Film, television, stage, publishing - Tina Liu has many accomplishments under her belt. And there's a good chance that belt came from Tina's Choice, the hip accessories store Liu set up in Causeway Bay at the end of 2013. Now, after less than a year, Liu has opened a pop-up store at PMQ in Central that's as colourful as her personality.

"Yes, I'm a very visual person," says Liu. "My whole life has been driven by my eye for detail … I also like the idea of an old building like PMQ being transformed into something fresh," she says.

Dressed in all black with trademark thick-rimmed glasses and deep red lipstick, her spiky cropped hair unmoved, she is the perfect clothes horse for her bold accessories.

Entering the PMQ shop is like passing through the gates of a carnival. There are mannequins and jewellery boxes dripping with off-beat conversation starters creating a playful feel, the space full of whimsical pieces Liu has sourced from around the world. "Everyone thinks I find these pieces on my travels but I make a point of going to trade fairs and showrooms to look for pieces.

The DNA and atmosphere of PMQ also allows Liu to present more fun-oriented accessories.

"The crowd and traffic at PMQ is different from our Lee Gardens shop. It's a combination of locals in their early 20s and above, expats and tourists. [PMQ] being a new design hub, the foot traffic is higher and the venue has a year-round activity programme of design-related talks, exhibitions and night markets that draws various crowds.