Michelle Lai of Mischa Dishes on Her Lifestyle Picks
The entrenpreneur takes us through her tastes and her Hong Kong favorites.
Toronto-born and Hong Kong-based Michelle Lai’s travel and style accessory brand Mischa is known for its iconic hexagonal print tote bags. What started as a passion project in 2004 grew to a cult following and soon international renown, thanks to its simple and timeless styles. Lai shares her thoughts on classics in the SAR. mischadesigns.com
What does style mean to you? Style is a natural quiet confidence. It’s the way someone carries themselves no matter what they’re wearing. My go-to outfit changes depending on the occasion. I wear a lot of all-black and during the day, ripped jeans and a shirt, or dresses in the summer time. It has to be something I’m comfortable in.
Food is so important in Hong Kong. What’s your go-to meal here? That’s very dependent upon the company, but I like my mom’s fried shrimp roe noodles. No one can make it as well as she does. And it reminds me of home—my grandma used to make this when I was little.
What place is your best kept secret in Hong Kong? It’s not so secret if I share it, is it? It would probably be one of the many trails you can take to get away from the city.
Do you shop a lot? What are some of your favorite items? Besides shoes, I’m not a big shopper. I have a bad habit of buying more shoes than I’ll ever wear. I wouldn’t say I’m addicted, but it’s the thing I spend the most on besides travel. I go through phases—right now it’s heels from Gianvito Rossi and sneakers from Onitsuka Tiger or Nike.
What do you do to unwind? I really enjoy spending time puttering around home. If I’m feeling social, then a meal with friends is a great way to relax.