Design Central

Who knew that Hong Kong Island, long known as a finance hub, had so much concealed creativity? From the fashion boutiques of Aberdeen Street to the studios of design professionals from every walk of life, there’s a hive of creativity buzzing away under the watchful eye of our skyscrapers. Here are some of our favorites.

Magnan & Tse

This boutique is the creative mélange between two Parisian ladies, Catherine Magnan, fashion designer for 20 years, and architect Yuen Man-tse (oui, an FBC), who met in Hong Kong. The moment you descend into their chic white, minimalist space, you’ll be struck by the strong black and reds of their brand concept. They merge jewelry with tops and t-shirts, looking to Paris for creativity and Hong Kong for production know-how. “Local clothing production houses can’t do jackets, but the embroidery is excellent,” says Tse. They also create accessories and do vintage revamps.
6/F, 15 Aberdeen St., Central, 9221-3588

Green Lab

Multimedia artist Seib Pascot lived and worked in Paris for 10 years before deciding that it was time to evolve. He moved to Hong Kong, where he set up shared office space Green Lab with Julie Oguez, a sustainability consultant for green marketing and eco-innovation. Her office loft is upstairs, while his studio is downstairs. It’s a space of creative, organic chic, where the clean scent of pine wafts from a small conifer hanging from the ceiling. There’s a coffee table, a curtain screen and a hanging chair, all made of reused oars. Seib’s “Crasterfield” armchair sits in a corner, reminiscent of a classic Chesterfield, but made out of crates. Purely sustainable BILUM totes from Paris (with seatbelts for straps) sit on the steps for sale, as well as reshaped vintage dresses from Sweden. It’s not just a shop space either—Seib’s uses for it are constantly changing according to his needs. It could be a venue for an experimental music event one night, or simply a place for him to store the trash he finds that he might soon turn to treasure.
B/F, 47 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 5193-5677

Moustache

With its walls painted in the iconic blue of Hong Kong’s delivery trucks, menswear store Moustache is festooned with folding screens, ceramic dragons, and a bust of a mustachioed Dr. Sun Yat-sen proving that our CE wasn’t the first to rock the bow-tied look. It exudes the attitude of a cool hipster boutique in Manhattan or the Midwest, even with all that Chinoiserie. Founder Alex Daye moved to Hong Kong two years ago with his partner Ellis Kreuger. Not used to our insufferable subtropical summers, the couple was forced to get a whole new wardrobe, and then started making clothes for themselves. “There’s an incredible pool of talent here,” explains Daye, “and it’s much easier to find competent men’s tailors than seamstresses.” Then, they started offering a tailoring service to others who wanted bespoke garments with a more imaginative selection of styles and fabrics than the standard Hong Kong tailor. Opened last September, Moustache offers a ready-to-wear collection inspired by the early 60s and the aesthetic of Victorian Central. The shop will soon introduce leather goods, bags, grooming products, and has even ventured into the printed word. The “j.a.daye Guide to Hong Kong” is a cute little guidebook printed and bound like a traditional Chinese tome, and is one of their best sellers.
31 Aberdeen St., Central, 2541-1955

Michael Young

Fashion designer Michael Young keeps a healthy distance from the design centers of London and Milan, but keeps very close to the future of global industry: China. “It’s design as industrial art that interests me. Not limited editions, but mass-production.” This philosophy has brought Young star status, international clients, and countless imitations of his originals. From Shoreditch to Sheung Wan, reads inscription on the door of his latest studio, which itself is situated in a building that mostly consists of dried seafood traders. Sometimes, the smell can be a bit too much, but Michael prefers the living feel of the district, as opposed to Wan Chai, which he feels has already been rather commercialized. Prada, his dog, roams freely around the white space of the office, and the atmosphere is chilled, color only provided by a few remarkable chairs, products and prototypes, and the plastic red, white and blue of the traditional Hong Kong bag that runs along the floor. A constant traveler, his offices are planes and trains, and his select pool of designers help him out. “Michael’s very conceptual and charismatic,” explains Ben McCarthy, an industrial designer in his own right who also works in the Young office, “but sometimes doesn’t have the time to do it, so we follow up.”
11/F, Luen Wai Commercial Building, 93-97 Des Voeux Rd. West, Sheung Wan, 2803-0344

Clash

Popular fashion bloggers and fashion journos like Susie Bubble and Wafa Alobaidat were talking about Ramby Tse, back when she was studying fashion at Middlesex University. The young designer and stylist just got back from London half a year ago, and is already busy in her studio, working on the wardrobe for an upcoming film. “I’m taking on all these projects to pay for the rent.” Clash is named after the punk band, but the word “cash” is also embedded in the name, a delicate reminder of the need to balance art and economics. When it comes to clothes, she specializes in high-end eco-fashion (organic materials; no chemical dyes) with a bit of punk aesthetic and edge. “It’s a hot topic in Europe,” she says. The space isn’t just her studio, it’s also a concept store slash gallery for local and mainland artists. The 1200 square feet space can also be hired out for events. Styling services are also available by appointment only.
2/F, 68-70 Wellington St., Central, 2537-7289

Kanchan Couture

Kanchan Couture is the creative vision of fashion designer Kanchan Panjabi. After working with designer Amanda Wakeley in London, Kanch came back and set up her own label, inspired by her Indian heritage, combining contemporary lines with opulent textiles sourced from Delhi and Bangalore. “It all began with a photo of my mom seated on a bike in 1960s India.” You can still see that image today, on her card. This season, we’re introduced to her grandfather gracing the graphic prints on her vibrant scarves and T-shirts. And later this year, Kanch will be branching out to wedding gowns, so brides-to-be, keep an eye out!
Flat C, 4/F, 108-110 Wellington St., Central, 2117-1782 www.kanchancouture.com

Kotur

Nestled deep in Sheung Wan, amid the antique shops, is the bright and airy Kotur showroom. Inspired by her travels to China, Fiona Kotur Marin began using archived brocades, Chinese locks and clasps in her bag designs, and her refined Oriental look soon became an international hit. Her signature minaudières and clutches have been featured on “Gossip Girl” and “Lipstick Jungle,” as well as being sported by the likes of Diane Kruger, Renée Zellweger and Anne Hathaway. The new Spring/Summer 2010 collection displays an extroverted brilliance, incorporating tassels and stones blended onto refined basket weaves. Viewings at the showroom are by appointment only. Alternately, you can peruse her wares at Harvey Nichols.
Kotur, 10A Casey Building, 38 Lok Ku Rd., Sheung Wan, 3513-8678, www.koturltd.com.

Ballet Store

With a sweet, fluffy bunny motif decorating their white walls, this select shop is an ultra-feminine boutique that offers stunningly cool and sophisticated products. The changing rooms are ultra-chic and decidedly spacious (they make you just want to hang out there the whole day, trying on everything). Besides selling products by emerging local designers such as sibling design duo Daydream Nation, and the quirky work of contemporary artist Dorophy Tang, they’re the first to bring in Swagga & Soul to Hong Kong, as well as luxury brands such as Felix Rey and Wildfox Couture (American vintage-inspired knitwear). With all their fabulous contacts, a lot of designers are producing collabo projects especially for them, such as one-off hats from Hong Kong milliner Jay Cow, and shet-hot London-based leather designer Natalie Thakur with her crossover bags Natthakur for Ballet.
63 Wellington St., Central, 2868-3862

UMA MIY

The peculiar name stems from “umami,” the Japanese word for that elusive fifth taste, denoting something with its own character, rather delicious, yet indescribable. Fashion designer Grace and her partner, Brian, are both surnamed Yow, so there’s that extra Y added at the end. His interior design company, Red Abacus, created the modern baroque look of the boutique, crisp white walls, gilded wrought-iron gates, and she brings in emerging young design talent, with a strong creative philosophy, who are pretty much exclusive to the shop. Her own label “Among Strangers” is rather architectonic and sculptural, reflecting her background—fine arts with a focus on metal and wood, then fashion and furniture design at Parsons in New York. She says: “I usually find extreme looks from the runway, then tone it down a bit—but I stick to the look of a powerful, independent woman, with slight attitude, a bit dark, but still delicate and nurturing.”
1/F, 9 On Lan St., Central, 2869-1269.

Visage ONE

Local jazz aficionados will have heard of musician/hairdresser Benky Chan. He’s had a hand in setting up some of the city’s premier jazz venues, and now he runs an intimate hair salon tucked away in the back streets of NoHo. A one-man band, Benky cuts and colors by appointment only, but on the first and third Saturdays of every month, he organizes intimate jazz and blues nights. His little salon is packed with 30 to 60 people, winding up the stairs up to the little loft. Free music, but hey, I think it’s fair to buy a $50 glass of wine from him.
LG/F, 93 Hollywood Rd. (Entry at Mee Lun St. or Shin Hing St.), Sheung Wan, 2523-8988

Neighborhood Haunts

Where do they hang out?

Chéri Chéri
41-49 Aberdeen St., Central, 9604-7777
Catherine Magnan’s husband is in charge, and Catherine herself has a hand in this bohemian hangout of the artsy French crowd.

Pastis
65 Wyndham St., Central, 2537-5702
“We love Pastis and they have so many different varieties of the drink!” – Seib

Visage One
LG/F, 93 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2523-8988
“For the organic, cozy jazz nights, of course.” - Benky

Cage
3 Mee Lun St., Sheung Wan, 2815-6739
“It’s so close by, and it’s a chilled spot for a drink.” - Julie

Beatniks
32 Graham St., Central, 2881-7153
This old vintage store, which moved from Tin Hau to Central, is a general favorite hangout. Their secondhand selection is eclectic and fun.