“In 2017 everything was changing – fashion in general was taking a new sporty direction. I didn’t want to dress up in heels and shoulder pads any more. I had an idea to open my own shop, and it felt like the right time. I spoke to Dorothy, who is still a good friend, and we decided to go our separate ways professionally,” she explains.

“It was always my dream to have a cafe/retail concept like they do in Korea and Japan. It was important that people could enjoy a cup of great coffee and chill while trying on clothes in a relaxed and fun environment. That was the inspiration for Her.”

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The boutique, which was designed by a Spanish studio, features whitewashed walls contrasted with multilevel display areas made from stacked terracotta tiles. Cosy seating is dotted throughout the store while the cafe is at the entrance and features a menu of popular favourites like matcha, blue soda and Taiwanese coffee.

Then you have the fashion: 39 hand-picked brands from all over the world. Prices are accessible, ranging from HK$800 to HK$2,500. Well-known brands like Nike, Pushbutton and Andersson Bell sit beside newer names such as Needles, Jenny Fax, Abra and Chance – Tsui’s own brand, offering streetwear with a quirky, feminine touch. There’s also stylish yet affordable jewellery from the likes of local brand Jüü Jüü, and trainers from popular names like Hoka One One and Salomon. And there’s not a heel or leather handbag in sight.

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“Of course, I’ve kept some brands that we had at Liger since the beginning, because we have history and there’s an emotional connection. But the edit here and how we style the clothes is totally different. Liger was edgy and contemporary, but Her has a much younger and Gen Z vibe that makes it very easy to understand. It’s not about my personal style, but it follows my heart,” she says.

Tsui says that her love for fashion is genetic. Her style education started early when her Shanghainese father would take her shopping at popular haunts like Esprit and Lane Crawford. He always ensured that she dressed to impress even as a young girl, but it wasn’t until Tsui became an actress in her late teens that she was exposed to high fashion. “I became an actress knowing that I could earn a lot of money by myself, be independent and buy whatever I wanted. My salary for my first movie was HK$100,000, which is impressive for a 15-year-old girl. I think I spent it all on fashion – maybe a Chanel bag, or at that time DKNY, which was one of my favourites,” she says.

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Tsui gave up acting a few years after marrying singer Eason Chan and semi-retired when she became a mother. Like many new mums, she struggled to find something fulfilling to do. After noticing that the media constantly wrote about her shopping trips and wardrobe choices, she decided to partner with Hui and jump into fashion retail.

“Many people still ask why I don’t start an online boutique, but I am a shopper. I believe in the power of retail now more than ever. It’s about connection, whether it’s with a member of staff or another shopper. It’s also about getting inspired, which is why I am eager to launch new brands and experiences in Hong Kong,” says Tsui.

In May she brought Japanese label Kowga to the city for the first time, and this month will launch Aim Higher Club, a collection designed by local high-jumper Cecilia Yeung. Her will also host an exercise workshop and offer limited-edition merchandise.

High on Tsui’s agenda is supporting local brands. For the past two seasons, she has partnered with the Hong Kong-based Fashion Farm Foundation to promote new design talent. Popular local labels that feature in Her’s permanent stable include Somewhere Nowhere, The World is Your Oyster, Meiwoleng and Dragonmade8.

“One thing I admire about local brands is their spirit – they never give up,” she says. “We are seeing more talent coming from local schools or moving back from the UK. They still want to start from Hong Kong and want to be noticed in the local fashion industry. It’s inspiring and reminds me of myself.”