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Tag: Elements

  • Experience Luxury Reimagined: Hermès Unveils Its Revitalized Boutique at Elements Mall, Hong Kong

    Experience Luxury Reimagined: Hermès Unveils Its Revitalized Boutique at Elements Mall, Hong Kong

    Following a comprehensive redesign and expansion, the Hermès store located at Elements mall is once again open for business. The refreshed retail space is a significant upgrade from its original construction in 2009.

    Store Design

    The store revamp was spearheaded by RDAI, presenting a unique concept inspired by nature and Chinese cosmology. The design of the store’s façade is particularly eye-catching, featuring ceramic tiles shaped like feathers in a nod to the mythical phoenix. This theme is extended to the display windows, which are adorned with whimsical landscapes designed by artist Claire Detallante.

    Store Layout

    Inside the boutique, the retail sections are strategically planned and organized. A mosaic flooring pathway guides customers through various collections, from silk and home goods to jewelry and watches positioned at the rear of the store.

    The store layout strategically segregates merchandise based on gender, with women’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, and beauty products located on one side, while men’s items are presented in a separately defined section, differentiated by contrasting materials and colors.

    Art and Craftsmanship

    The store also serves as a mini-gallery, displaying various artworks from the Emile Hermès collection and the Hermès Collection of Contemporary Photographs. Art pieces from other renowned artists, including Aline Honoré, Luciano Perna, and Denis Polge, are also showcased throughout the store.

    In the words of the luxury house: “We invite our customers to visit our newly renovated, light-filled store and discover timeless creations and craftsmanship in a bold new setting.”

    Questions & Answers

    When did the Hermès store at Elements mall first open?
    The Hermès store at Elements mall first opened in 2009.

    What is the main concept behind the store’s redesign?
    The redesign presents a concept inspired by nature and Chinese cosmology, featuring a façade that references a phoenix and display windows that showcase illustrated fantasy landscapes.

    What collections can customers expect to find in the store?
    Customers can explore various collections, such as silk and home goods, jewelry and watches, women’s ready-to-wear, leather goods, beauty products, and men’s items.

  • Taiwanese Beef Noodles Specialist Duan Chun Zhen Expands Footprint to ELEMENTS Unveiling its Storied Comfort Food

    Taiwanese Beef Noodles Specialist Duan Chun Zhen Expands Footprint to ELEMENTS Unveiling its Storied Comfort Food

    Duan Chun Zhen, renowned for its sumptuous classic Taiwanese beef noodles, welcomes the opening of its fifth location in Hong Kong, at ELEMENTS in West Kowloon. This new branch of the beloved international chain upholds a family legacy of authentic Sichuan flavours while capturing the vibrant essence of Taiwan’s night-market culture, presenting irresistible beef noodles, popular rice bowls and signature street snacks.

    Seating 80 diners, the ELEMENTS outlet is conveniently located next to the cinema, luring film buffs and foodies into inviting interiors for bowls of aromatic comfort food. Chinese tradition meets contemporary elegance in warm wooden tones, with bamboo features lining the walls and criss-crossing the ceiling, and wooden floors and subtle wooden accents adding a sense of natural charm.

    To celebrate the opening of its latest Hong Kong location, Duan Chun Zhen will gift an exclusive facial mask daily to its first 20 customers who order any noodle dish from 19-25 July 2025. Launched in Taiwan earlier this summer, the skin-nourishing Green Pepper Flavour Beef Noodle Mask is infused with Damask rose extract, collagen, vitamin B8 and the delightful aroma of green Sichuan pepper. Extending the brand’s artistry beyond the kitchen, this uplifting keepsake for lucky diners is ideal for pampering skin during the sweltering summer months.

    As an additional limited-time offer, patrons of Cafe Deco Pizzeria can present their receipt at Duan Chun Zhen in ELEMENTS within 7 days to enjoy HK$30 off the bill (with a minimum spend of HK$100 or more between 19 July and 18 August 2025). Both restaurants are managed in Hong Kong by Cafe Deco Group.

    The story of these celebrated Taiwanese beef noodles begins with Duan Chun Zhen, a passionate home cook who arrived in Taiwan from Sichuan in 1945. She supported herself by making the traditional seasonings of her province – bean paste, pickled pepper, spicy bean curd, sweet fermented rice – as well as aromatic Sichuan braised dishes, and selling them from a bicycle stall at Hsinchu Air Base. Her grandson, Fan Kwong Zhi, heir to her culinary expertise, opened the family’s first noodle shop in 2007 to honour her memory. Connecting Taiwanese cuisine to the world with beef noodles, the brand has grown to embrace 11 outlets in Taiwan, 5 in Hong Kong, and 2 in California, USA.

    The soul of Duan Chun Zhen’s house-special classic beef noodles is the broth that takes 18 hours to perfect, starting with an intricate 8-hour process of stir-frying raw fatty beef together with 23 different spices and herbs, including Da Hong Pao (big red) Sichuan peppercorns and Pixian doubanjiang (broad-bean paste). This intense, fragrant base is used to braise beef, which then simmers for hours with beef bone to make a moreish, mouth-tingling broth.

    Diners can choose from 2 kinds of noodles – thin noodles or wider, chewy handmade noodles – both designed to soak up the delicious house soup. During a traditional vermicelli production process, the thin noodles are punctured by multiple air holes, increasing their ability to absorb the flavours of the liquid. The handmade noodles benefit from repeated dough sheeting that not only keeps them firm and elastic but also results in an uneven thickness so they too can better ingest the soup.

    A whole chicken is simmered for 6 hours for the flavoursome and fragrant soup base of Rich Chicken Broth Noodles with Drumstick (HK$88) and Chicken Drumstick Noodles in Pepper Soup with Pickled Greens (HK$88). Among a selection of dry noodle dishes, Shredded Chicken with Garlic Flavoured Dry Noodles & Peanut (Thin Noodles) (HK$78) and Shredded Chicken with Green Pepper Flavoured Dry Noodles & Peanut (Thin Noodles) (HK$78) swaps the rich and fragrant soup for a dry, spicy punch. Satisfying rice dishes are also available, including Taiwanese Braised Minced Pork Rice (HK$78) and Vegan Minced Pork Rice with Organic Mushroom (HK$68).

    The authentic Taiwanese dining experience extends to signature items such as Sanxing Scallion Pancake (HK$48), whose crusty exterior reveals a soft, aromatic interior and the sharp, peppery taste of Taiwan’s best scallions. Taiwanese Fried Chicken (HK$48) and Deep-fried Pork Chop (HK$48) are other favourite choices. For a unique twist, guests are invited to savour the slightly salty Pork Intestine with Thin Noodles (HK$48) and the huangjiu-infused chicken treat of Chinese Yellow Rice Wine Boneless Chicken with Red Date (HK$78). Shrimp & Pork Wontons in House Special Chili Oil (HK$68) and Spicy Duck Blood Cellophane Noodles (HK$88) also deliver the spicy essence of Grandma Duan’s life-long love and creativity.

    To cater to the ELEMENTS business crowd, Duan Chun Zhen presents a convenient Combo Set at lunch, priced from HK$118 to HK$158 for a noodle or rice course, plus a complimentary snack of either Taiwanese Fried Dumplings (3pcs), Taiwanese Fried Chicken (3pcs), or Deep-fried Pork Chops (3pcs), and a refreshing drink. Options include Ginger Tea, Winter Melon Tea, Ginger Ale or another soft drink. For an additional HK$12, lunchers can upgrade to a selected house-speciality drink.

    The beverage menu showcases classic Taiwanese favourites, starring the flavoursome and textural Winter Melon Barley Delight (HK$36), sweetly fresh Peach Jasmine Green Tea (HK$34), and tropical Passion Fruit Pineapple (HK$34). Each beverage offers a unique flavour profile, perfect for complementing the restaurant’s vibrant dishes.

  • Strong sales growth posted by Hermès Asia

    Strong sales growth posted by Hermès Asia

    Hermes Asia sales grew 11.3 per cent last year to €1.946 billion (US$2.4 billion) as the luxury retailer set a new record for gross retail margin.

    The company said the retail market was improving in Hong Kong and Macau, with the Asian market “pursuing its upward curve” and positive outlooks in Mainland China and South Asian countries.

    Growth was aided by store revamps at Sogo Fuxing in Taiwan, Elements mall in Hong Kong and at Kuala Lumpur.

    Sales in Japan (separated from Asia results) rose 4 per cent to €724.1 million, despite a high comparison figure from last year, which the company described as “a sustained increase” in what is a mature market, citing a selective distribution network.

    Group sales totalled €5.549 billion (US$6.863 billion), up 9 per cent at constant exchange rates. Operating income rose 13 per cent, to €1.922 billion, representing a record 34.6 per cent gross margin, while net profit rose 11 per cent to €1.221 billion.

    “Hermes achieved a new year of historic results, thanks to the quality of our know-how, the success of our creations and especially the incredible commitment of the women and men of Hermes,” said executive chairman Axel Dumas.

    Hermes will ramp up its online offer in the region this year, with a new website scheduled to go live in China at the end of this year.

    Meanwhile, the company said the sale of the Galleria building in Hong Kong’s Central district, which previously housed its flagship store, would likely generate a net capital gain of €50 million this year.

    Leather drives growth

    By category, Hermes’ leather goods proved the strongest performer last year, sales rising 10 per cent globally, reflecting increased production capacity as demand rose for its handbags.

    The ready-to-wear and accessories division grew 9 per cent, driven by the success of new collections, fashion accessories and particularly shoes.

    Sales of silk and textile products grew 6 per cent and of perfumes by 10 per cent, largely due to the successful launch of Twilly d’Hermes.

    Watch sales grew just 1 per cent with what Hermes described as “good sales” in company-owned stores. Other Hermes business lines- jewellery, Art of Living and Hermes Table Arts, grew sales by 11 per cent.

  • Alexander McQueen opens new store at Elements

    Alexander McQueen opens new store at Elements

    Alexander McQueen shows a world that is both classic and contemporary, familiar and subversive at its new retail store at Elements in Tsim sha Tsui.

    Creative director Sarah Burton partnered with David Collins Studio to design the store, which highlights nude and black colours with accents of aged and polished brass.

    Bookmatched Calacatta Oro marble is used to create a stunning marble feature wall in the shop front while pink onyx frames the collection with bold architectural backdrops.

    A selection of special commissions and mid-century-inspired furniture are curated within the store, including armchairs upholstered in antique blush and black.

    Alexander McQueen stores can also be found at Sogo Department Store in Causeway Bay and Landmark Atrium in Central.

  • Chow Sang Sang local sales slide

    Chow Sang Sang local sales slide

    Jeweller Chow Sang Sang has reported a 12 per cent slump in same store sales in Hong Kong and Macau during the first half of this year.

    But the company’s total sales slipped just one per cent and its profit rose 40 per cent during the six months, due to its disposal of shares in Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. Operating profit was down about 12 per cent.

    The company said while official records show a 5.9 per cent increase in the number of visits to Hong Kong by Mainland Chinese in the first five months, “actual spending by these visitors did not bring much cheer to the luxury retail sector”.

    “Negative sentiments towards cross-border traders and even mainland visitors probably cast a pall over shopping activities. Exchange rate fluctuations caused price differences that made it worthwhile for consumers from the mainland, and even those from Hong Kong, to shop in Japan and Europe for luxury goods.”

    During the half, Chow Sang Sang closed its Metroplaza store in Kwai Chung, but expanded its store in Elements, West Kowloon and converted the fitout to the company’s new generation shop design.

    The company said Macau was especially hard hit by the anti-graft campaigns and the measure to restrict funds outflow. One street-level store was closed there at the expiry of its lease.

    “On the Mainland, the slowing growth in the economy, the continued anti-corruption and austerity drive affected high-ticket spending, but in general the retail sector was healthy.”

    The jeweller opened 21 stores during the half taking its reach to 102 cities. Ten underperforming stores were closed for a net gain of 11 and a total network of 333.

    The company says in the months ahead it will continue to closely monitor its inventory levels. It has revamped its online shops both for the Mainland and Hong Kong and online sales continue to grow.

    “We are making progress in facilitating our online customers to take advantage of the network of physical stores.”

    In Hong Kong the company has acquired space in Citywalk, Tsuen Wan, to open a Rolex and Tudor store.

    The existing store in the same mall shall cease to operate its watch counters.

    In China 18 stores are planned between now and Christmas, along with several refitting and closings.