It could be argued that many Hongkongers consider shopping an art form, and certain shops in 2IFC have underscored this point by setting new standards with their interior designs. Take menswear store Ermenegildo Zegna (Shop 2036; below right). The decor is from Italy and pains were taken not to block the floor-to-ceiling windows, which stretch over an impressive two storeys, with clothes. The space is divided into three sections, with a lounge area in the centre for patient partners sandwiched by a made-to-measure formal-wear section decked out in dark rosewood, and a sporty casual-wear section heralded by lighter walnut wood. A 'fish tank' window reveals an in-house tailor hard at work while state-of-the-art fitting rooms have electric screens that can be activated to cover the windows when privacy is required.
Other notables include the two-storey Agnes b (Shops 1098 and 2088; below left), which is light and spacious and has a comfortable chill-out area with leather chairs and a pony-skin rug. Funky shoe shop Sole Alliance (Shop 1102) sports retro furniture and colour-changing 'gateways' and Cleto Munari's first shop outside Italy (Shop 2039), is bright and white with splashes of colour to signify different collections. Coming soon to the mall are trendy Spanish store Zara and Belgian store Scapa, the interiors of which promise to make their Hong Kong debuts something to remember.