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Just past row E of the check-in desks at Hong Kong International Airport and across from the more mundane air travel stores sits a tiny shop selling the wares of the city's happening designers.

It may have taken several  years, but Design Gallery, run by the Trade Development Council,  has finally expanded beyond the Convention and Exhibition Centre to the city's international gateway.

Miss Hong Kong 2006, Aimee Chan Yan-mei,  who studied at Canada's Ontario College of Art and Design,  cut a ceremonial ribbon yesterday to herald the opening of the store.

Ms Chan proudly revealed she was wearing a dress she had designed herself.

Design Gallery manager Frances Leung Ching-yan said the council had wanted to open an outlet at the airport for at least three years but a good position for the shop had only recently become available.

With its opening, passengers will be able to admire, buy and even bulk-order some serious Hong Kong style before passing through customs.

Among the products on offer will be Raymond Choy's  strange robotic toys, which are designed for adults as much as children.

'My market is the 'kidults' as much as anyone. Nowadays we might grow up but we still love toys and still collect them,' he said.

'There is no doubt that having my toys here is a good promotion. Hong Kong is now such a great place for designers.'

May Wong May-yu,  owner and designer of houseware  brands Living Gear  and Tapas,  agreed with Mr Choy.

'We are at the gateway to China - we are free to do whatever we want,' she said. 'But we still know the Chinese way so we can get our products made quickly in factories across the border.'

Eddie Hui Ha-lam,  owner and chief designer of kitchenware maker Semk,  said the primary markets for Hong Kong's designer goods were Japan and Europe, rather than the US.



Outlet for city's hippest designs cleared for takeoff at airport