ON THE RADAR: HONG KONG
Wan Chai
Hong Kong doesn’t have to be all about big brands and designer labels. Head north to the Wan Chai district for more unique shopping, dining and cultural experiences.
SHOP The narrow, pedestrian-only Sun Street is lined with lovingly tended greenery on one
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side and a row of small shops on the other. Kapok, which features an expertly curated mix of emerging international men’s and women’s designers, has a few stores in Hong Kong, but its Sun Street outpost features a coffee bar and gallery. The latter taps into the local creative community with an impressive list of collaborations and a series of rotating exhibitions. Adding to the area’s street cred is the hybrid retail and office space of ultra-cool Monocle magazine, which is located on St Francis Yard. The store was the first of
EAT There are endless Italian restaurants and delis favoured by local expats, but for something a little different, head to 22 Ships. With a no-reservations policy and only 38 seats, you may have to wait a while but it’s worth it. Headed by Michelinstarred chef Jason Atherton, this accessible eatery is part of a new wave of Spanish tapas joints sweeping the city.
TAKE A SOUVENIR Support local creatives with a visit to the Hong Kong Arts Centre art shop, which sells pieces designed by alumni of the Hong Kong Art School. These specially commissioned tote bags by Kenny and Bo Law map out the city life cycle, tracing iconic buildings and the urban landscape.
Words: Carli Philips
For most people, a 24-hour stopover in Hong Kong means one thing: shopping. But this King Kong of retail is not for economisers or those who enjoy browsing in unique independent boutiques. With its luxury mega-malls dripping in high-end labels and multi-level Louis Vuitton stores on every corner, Hong Kong is generally for shoppers with a healthy bank account. Except in Wan Chai, which is a rabbit warren of cool fashion boutiques, bars and eateries manned by edgy 30-somethings, offering an alternative to the city’s frenetic pavement crowds and glossy premium stores. Ditch the map and simply wander the alleys of St Francis Yard and Sun, Moon and Star Streets, near the busy Queens Road, for a different Hong Kong story.
its kind and personifies the publication’s high style with a selection of stationery, leather goods and chic travel accessories. A couple of doors up is Nlostnfound — a treasure-trove of industrial, vintage and antique homewares and collectables. Everything is hand-restored by the owner Shirley Yu, who also runs the shop. Check out Vein next door for Scandinavian brands such as Muuto, Filippa K, Swedish Hasbeens shoes and Rebekka Rebekka.