Fashion Forum

by Renae Virata

A world of influences converges on the tiny region of Hong Kong, making it one of the hottest places to visit in Asia.  Typically touted as “a place where East meets West,” this area on the southern coast of China boasts influences from Hollywood celebrities, big European fashion houses, and Japanese looks and trends.

“Since Hong Kong is a city with international exposure, styles and trends are inspired by all sort of cultures and looks – mostly high fashion Euro styles, Japanese street wear, and sophisticated working clothes,” observes Annie Cheung, a brand agency owner and ladies apparel proprietor in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong has a very diverse fashion scene,” adds Matt Kirkland, a web designer who worked in the fashion industry in Hong Kong for over a year.  “The traditional ‘boring’ luxury labels have a big presence in the Western neighborhoods, but there’s a great and growing local scene.” (Check out Matt’s pick Rise Shopping Arcade in the Local Shopping section below!)

Other than in the spring, where galoshes are all the rage during the average 110 rainy days per year in Hong Kong, “people love flats and boots since there is a lot of walking and most people do not own cars,” says Annie.

“People in Hong Kong tend to be more dressed up,” says Foong.  “Going out can be a show – there’s a little sense of opulence in the way people dress.”

Click on an item to learn more: BKE Printed Shirt; Cynthia Steffe Tailored Denim Mini; Steve by Steve Madden Patent Flats.

Click on an item to learn more: ALICE + OLIVIA Andi Beaded Draped Vest; Esprit Linen/Cotton Dress; Oak Tree Farms Bootie

Click on an item to learn more: Esprit Two-Tone Blazer; Delia’s Lillian Top; Isabella Oliver Wide-leg Trousers; Croc’s Valentine Pump

Hong Kong style is on a sliding fashion scale depending on your set.  Teenagers tend to gravitate towards a more “showy and fashion-forward” display while the more mature crowd is “subtle but designer.”  Young and mid-level professionals is a mix of both.

“On the streets, generally people are pretty well put together,” adds Foong.

Since the weather is still very mild in the fall, no need to pack a coat.  An assortment of a couple light tailored jackets, flat boots, stylish flat shoes, and a big tailored bag that goes with everything will help you be prepared for anything.  For a day of site seeing, be comfortable in leggings, flats, a light scarf (in case you walk into a few chilly museums), light jacket, and a casual tunic. Don’t be afraid to accessorize with an array of fun pieces like bangles, cuff bracelets, and long layered necklaces.

If you’re going there for work, no need to leave your creative style at your hotel.  Although Hong Kong is a thriving financial metropolis (read: typically conservative), you can still incorporate trends into your look, like a great ruffled blouse, a skirt with a little edge, and little pops of color.

Nightlife is the best opportunity to get dolled up, so break out your cutest and trendiest one-shoulder dress, heeled booties, and big-shouldered jacket for a fun night out.  Jimmy Choo for H&M is a great example of the kind of high-style for less dress that would work well in Hong Kong.

Skin and Makeup Tips for Hong Kong: For those not used to the potential humidity that may still linger through the fall, check out makeup tips from artist Sameera to help you complete your look!

Spring and autumn, as in most cities, are by far the best seasons in Hong Kong, with mild temperatures at average highs of 70 – 85 degrees Farenheit (20 – 30 degrees Celsius).  Summers tend to be more hot and humid with warm winds, thunderstorms, and likely typhoons.

Winters are chilly: “From November to late-February, temperatures can drop to just above freezing,” says fashion designer Bernard Foong, who also helped start the development of the Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, “enough for a trench, knit garments, and sweaters.”

Shopping is always a favorite pastime in Hong Kong, with new shopping centers popping up all around the city all the time.

•    Shanghai Tang (Two on Hong Kong Island, 3 Kowloon-side, and the home goods, flagship, and OUTLET at the Hong Kong International airport) | Hi-end Chinese-influenced label with more modern fabrics and silhouettes. Popular with Westerners because of the well-tailored and modern take on old Chinese favorites like the traditional cheomsung.  If you can’t squeeze it in during your trip, be sure to stop by the three themed stores at the airport!

•     Central Hong Kong | Higher-end shops (like Valentino, Armani, Gucci, Prada, Chanel) and more moderately-priced establishments sprinkle the streets of downtown.

•    Rise Shopping Arcade (Granville Circuit, Tsim Sha Tsui)| A dingy shopping center off the beaten path but no doubt one of the best places in Hong Kong to connect to the local designer scene.  Visit tiny 10 X 10 storefronts and hear straight from designers’ mouths what influenced their lines.

•    G.O.D (number of locations / flagship)| Local label that is quintessential Hong Kong style and appropriately named (G.O.D. stands for “Goods of Desire”).

•    Blanc de Chine (The Landmark, Pedder Bulding, Central) | According to Taryn at Blanc de Chine, this “was the first Chinese luxury brand that has made a serious effort in transforing traditional Chinese culture into modern lifestyle.  Get your learn on each season when the label takes inspiration from a period of Chinese history! (Sprin 2010, for example, is the Ming Dynasty.)

•    Causeway Bay (Location) | One of the most, if not THE most, popular shopping areas on Hong Kong Island.  Check out Times Square (yes, like in New York!), the first “vertical mall” in Hong Kong with all our favorite and soon-to-be-new-favorite shops.

•    fashion.com.hk | A visual feast for your fashion imagination.  Gather the latest trends from up and coming Hong Kong designers.

•    she.com | According to the site, “the ultimate online network where every Asian woman wants to belong to…targeting young and independent working professionals.”  Parts of it are in English, but you can marvel, too, at the cool Chinese text throughout the site.

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