Why "Kapok"? "It's the name of a tall tree that provides a home for other plants and animals, and that's what we want to do for people here - give them a place where they can meet and find quality products." With two outlets in Singapore and seven in Hong Kong, business has expanded a lot recently … "Honestly, I was a bit scared at first. I started Kapok because I found the existing retail scene and shopping malls a bit boring. When we started collaborating with K11 [a mall in Tsim Sha Tsui], I hesitated, because I thought people would think we were selling out. But I realised that a lot of people like Kapok. Also, Kapok is not elitist. People ask if we have a target group and we don't at all. That's why we have so many different products at so many price points. In Hong Kong everything is segmented. It's nice to have things that are a bit mixed up." Is each shop the same? "I want to explore something different with every store. Sun Street is the place to find home products or gifts - it's where we put all the new or niche brands. St Francis Yard is fashion. Hysan Place is about travel; not literally, we're not selling eye masks, but the mood of travelling, so nice bags and candles inspired by different cities. K11 is about basics, things you need every day. When we go to Harbour City, we are exploring going more upscale. It won't be luxury … Hong Kong is just a big luxury supermarket, so that doesn't interest me. But I work with some small brands and they make beautiful things." Kapok has become a hub for the local design scene. How did that happen? "When we first opened, it was in Tin Hau [the shop moved to St Francis Yard in 2008]. People say, 'location, location, location', and it's true. We were on a dead end and nobody was walking in. At the same time, a lot of designers and brands were looking for space to do things, so I gave them the space to do it. A lot of those brands became quite successful. When I do parties and events, especially on Sun Street, where we overflow [onto the street outside], it's a nice feeling." What's next? "We are doing something in April at PMQ [the former police married quarters in SoHo], a shop with only brands and designers from Hong Kong. People here sometimes lack confidence; they ask me: 'Will you have enough products from Hong Kong?' There are a lot, actually. You have a good mix now of local brands, but also designers who moved here because it's easy to start a business here and there's production nearby."