STRATEGICALLY PLACED 'made in Hong Kong' tags have graced the perfectly formed derrieres of many a highly prized toy, from Barbie to G.I. Joe, for decades. With mass production moving across the border, it was starting to look like the industry was doomed. That is until the city's hottest young designers stepped in to save the day and put Hong Kong firmly back on the toymaking map.
But this time it's playthings with a difference. Highly collectable, limited-edition 'designer toys' have become hot items among a cool clientele with an eye for pop art culture.
Although not a new phenomenon, 'the urban toy scene' - full of funky action figures inspired by kung fu films, hip-hop and graffiti art - is flourishing.
It began in 1997, when Michael Lau Kin-man descended upon a Hong Kong toy exhibition with a series of G.I. Joes he had customised into hip-hop street fashion figures.
Lau and fellow designer Eric So are regarded as pioneers of the funky toy movement, not only rocketing Hong Kong into a scene massively popular in the US and Japan, but also setting the standard worldwide.
This movement comes complete with its own culture, rivalries, heroes and superstars creating a highly profitable and intensely competitive altered reality. The toys come in many different guises from 30cm vinyl figures, to vending machine-style characters and plush toys.