My recent trip to Hong Kong was all about the food, with more dim sum than I ever thought I could devour, however there was a small window in the itinerary for a spot of shopping.
Hong Kong is a shopper’s paradise with everything from local, inexpensive Chinese markets and outlet stores to slick concept malls and designer flagship stores that can’t be found in the UK.
K11 Art Mall (Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)
The world’s first art shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui is one of Kowloon’s coolest spots and the perfect place to find unique pieces and gifts. K11 works with the Hong Kong art community to showcase emerging and international artists with regular exhibitions and events. I saw some quirky, unusual artworks during my visit, including a Mona Lisa portrait made entirely of toast.
K11 Design Store features lifestyle and design products while K11 Select hosts individual designer concession stores such as Daydream Nation, Shiny Beetle and kapok TOOLS.
Fashion stores at K11 tend to be fun, young brands including Dr. Martens, Kipling, Y-3, Fiorucci, Paul & Joe Beauté and Melvita.
TIKKA (Sheung Wan, Hong Kong)
After an uphill trek in the blistering heat, I was delighted to stumble across TIKKA on hip Gough Street in Sheung Wan, just a few doors down from agnès b. cafe l.p.g. Doris Qiu’s two-floor boutique stocks international designers such as Loeffler Randall, Daydream Nation, American Retro, Minna Parikka and Monserrat de Lucca, alongside her own label Doris Q.
TIKKA’s offering is well-edited and the clothes and accessories are so eye-catching that it’s difficult to leave empty handed. There is a good range of affordable and investment pieces and the store has a young, edgy vibe.
Harbour City (Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon)
Harbour City in Kowloon is one of Hong Kong’s largest and most impressive shopping destinations, made up of three malls with over 450 shops, around 50 restaurants, three hotels and two cinemas.
Every luxury fashion brand worth its salt has a store at Harbour City, including Balenciaga, Alexander Wang, Chloe, Bottega Veneta, 3.1 Phillip Lim and Hermès. However, it’s not only about high end, as you can also find more affordable stores such as Jack Wills, Hoss Intropia, Levi’s, Muji and Superdry.
Harbour City is also great for dining with stylish Chinese restaurants such as the two Michelin star yè shanghai and House of Jasmine, plus luxurious sweet treats at Pierre Hermé Paris, Ladurée and Jean-Paul Hévin. Be sure to take an afternoon tea pitstop at C’est La B. and relax over a pot of fine tea and a selection of exquisite, creative cakes.
IFC Mall (Central, Hong Kong)
The International Finance Centre Mall is a bright, extensive mall on the waterfront of Hong Kong’s bustling Central district. It’s ever so slightly less dazzling than Harbour City, but offers more interesting niche brands such as Tsumori Chisato, Repetto, Pomellato, Kate Spade New York, Atsuyo Tayama and Santa Maria Novella.
It’s also worth dining at IFC Mall, as there are some great eateries such as agnès b. LE PAIN GRILLÉ, Le Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon, St. Betty and Petite Amanda patisserie.
Horizon Plaza (Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong)
After visiting The 8th Estate Winery on Ap Lei Chau (a small island just off Aberdeen), our tour guide Frank took us on a mini detour that he knew us girls would appreciate. Horizon Plaza is a discount outlet mega-store with 28th floors of designer and premium high street clothing and homeware shopping.
Brands with their own outlet stores at Horizon Plaza include Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Shanghai Tang, Joyce and Hugo Boss.
Entering the Lane Crawford outlet shop is like going to fashion heaven, it really is that good. Many of the pieces are past season, but it’s fun to pick up a bargain and spot key collection pieces such as a Christopher Kane aqua gel-filled PVC clutch or the Meadham Kirchhoff sparkle pom pom platforms.
Designer gems that caught my eye were a bright yellow Proenza Schouler PS1 bag, Tabitha Simmons heels, Marni sandals, a Stella McCartney silk tuxedo jacket and a whole rail of Carven delights. There are plenty of wardrobe staples and classics to be found, but those with a fearless sense of style will be in their element at Horizon Plaza.
We had less than half an hour at Horizon Plaza (and literally had to be torn away), but on a return trip to Hong Kong, I would schedule at least half a day to explore it from top to bottom. You can even have a quick bite there at the delighted furniture store Tree with its stylish in-store cafe, or an indulgent cupcake from Sift Patisserie.
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is like the Oxford Circus of Hong Kong with everything from four floors of Asian youth fashion brands at the colourful Island Beverly to entry-level designer labels such as Zadig & Voltaire, Vivienne Westwood, Stefanel and Vivienne Tam at Fashion Walk. Times Square is home to a large Lane Crawford store and over 230 store in the mall, which connects conveniently to the Causeway Bay MTR station.
For more shopping ideas in Hong Kong, visit: www.discoverhongkong.com
All photos by Chérie City
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