Designer Prudence Mak Ngar-tuen's imaginative exhibition at Times Square is called 'Why throw away your memory?', but it could also be titled 'Why throw away anything?' The Chocolate Rain brand's creator used some extreme green practices to construct the fantastical art pieces on display until April 19. 'I am a really environmentally conscious person, so I will use as much recycled material as possible,' Mak (left) explained of her self-described do-it-yourself installation. 'All the fabrics of the patchwork are leftover donations from other Hong Kong fashion designers. I also collected a lot of old toys. I even used some old clothes I wore as a kid for some of the displays. When people ask me about the artwork's smell, I say it's me.' There are oversized mushrooms, space-travel drawers and a large chocolate cup seat. Mak even made the ribbon cut during Thursday's opening ceremony. It's one of the most ambitious projects held at the Causeway Bay space, and it's very personal to Mak. Part of the reason is one of the pieces was made by one of her best friends, London artist Julie Vermille (centre, with Mak's business partner Janice Lui, right). 'I grew up in the slums and picked up my craftsmanship helping my mum sew after school to make extra money. When I decided to pursue this career, my parents were against it. I ended up living on my own in a small studio for four years, crying every night, wondering if I should follow my dream or give it up for a boring job. So Chocolate Rain is a mixture of life's sweetness and bitterness.'
