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Tag: Hong Kong

  • Kenzo Kids makes debut in Hong Kong

    Kenzo Kids makes debut in Hong Kong

    Kenzo Kids is commencing its physical store roll out in Asia, opting for Hong Kong as its debut market, with plans to open more stores in Asia, according to Fashion Network.

    The children’s arm of French luxury label Kenzo has officially opened a flagship store in Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal shopping centre. In partnership with Semir-backed Kidiliz, which has been Kenzo Kids’ licensor since 2006, the 40-square-metre store carries Kenzo’s collections for boys and girls aged 0 to 16 years old.

    “Hong Kong was chosen for its dynamism and potential. We held a pop-up store for Kenzo Kids at Ocean Terminal in 2017, which is one of the busiest and most dynamic malls in Asia. The pop-up was a success and it was the logical next step to open a flagship store this year,” Maud Rascle, creative director of the Kidiliz group, told Fashion Network.

    Kidiliz is a strong link for the Parisian house. In 2017, China’s Semir Group entered into exclusive negotiations with Kidiliz last May to revive the group, which also distributes British premium brand Paul Smith Junior and Lili Gaufrette.

    The new Kenzo Kids store is just the beginning signs of international growth for the label. The children’s wear label has already reaped great rewards with its new creative directors Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, the founders of Opening Ceremony, who took over the design helm at Kenzo in 2011. Kenzo Kids has since seen its annual growth sit between from 20 to 30 percent each year.

    Kenzo Kids collections are currently sold across 850 counters across the globe.

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  • Citychamp eats up luxury watch brand

    Citychamp eats up luxury watch brand

    Listed Hong Kong watch & jewellery group Citychamp has bought a majority stake in Ernest Borel Holdings.

    The transaction, which saw Citychamp taking a 58.22 per cent shareholding in the heritage Swiss watch manufacturing brand, was completed on Tuesday.

    Ernest Borel, an award-winning brand even in its early days of business in the mid to late 19th century, is noted for its traditional focus on export markets outside Europe. It was first purchased by a group of investors from China in 1997.

    Citychamp currently distributes more than 25 international brands within major cities in Mainland China. Its brands include Rossini, Corum, Eterna, Rotary, Ebohr, J&T Windmills, Kana and Dreyfuss & Co.

    The news comes just a day after international fashion brand Chanel acquired a 20 per cent stake in the parent company of luxury Swiss watch brand F P Journe.

  • Giordano to open six more store in the Middle East

    Giordano to open six more store in the Middle East

    Giordano Middle East has opened six new stores and relaunched its e-commerce platform.

    The new stores are located at the Ajman City Center and Ibn Battuta Mall in the UAE, Riyadh Park, Villaggio Mall and Lulu Briman in Saudi Arabia and at Al Kout Mall in Kuwait.

    The Hong Kong-headquartered, global fast-fashion brand has also opened its first stores in France, South Africa and Mongolia this year.

    Ishwar Chugani, MD at Giordano Middle East, and part of the management committee of Giordano International, says the new stores feature a fresh new look “redefining simplicity and embracing a more classic and refined concept”.

    Space is maximised for product displays and customer interaction. The Giordano Middle East stores feature wider entrances and larger, more comfortable fitting rooms. Products are also showcased in different ways, with an emphasis on accessibility and demonstrating different matches and styles.

    Chungai says natural wood accents have been added to the interiors to create a feeling of warmth and comfort while energy-efficient LED lights enhance the customer experience and minimise the brand’s carbon footprint.

    “Our customers have been the main focus in the design of our new CIM (Customers In Mind) stores. Giordano embodies simplicity in design and quality in substance, and we have endeavoured to simplify and improve our customers’ shopping experience, enabling them to mix and match items and avail of excellent quality apparel at great value,” said Chungai.

    “We are committed to bringing our brand closer to our customers located across the region. The substantial investments earmarked for this expansion program stem from our confidence in the region’s current developments and future initiatives.”

    Giordano’s cardless loyalty program World Without Strangers boasts more than 500,000 members from the Middle East and 11 million worldwide. The brand has also increased its social-media engagement, with more than 3 million followers on Facebook alone.

    Founded in Hong Kong in 1981, Giordano opened its first store in the MIddle East in 1993. Giordano Middle East is a wholly owned subsidiary of Giordano International.

    The group operates more than 2400 stores in 30 countries across Asia, Australia, Africa, Canada, Central America, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

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  • Lane Crawford x Luxarity for sustainable luxury

    Lane Crawford x Luxarity for sustainable luxury

    From August 1 to October 16, 2018, Lane Crawford gives 3,000 Lane Crawford Rewards Points for every pre-loved designer brand item donated to Luxarity.

    Items collected will be donated to LUXARITY – to be resold in a pop-up in November 2018. LUXARITY partners with Blockchain for Social Impact to sponsor grants for products and solutions that address social and environmental challenges across the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: #12 Responsible Consumption & Production, #4 Health & Well-being & #3 Quality Education.

    In 2017, sales generated from the ‘MADE IN LOVE’ 2017 Pop Up & conscious community gave LUXARITY the opportunity to award grants toward supporting the future of sustainability & innovation.

    2,000 pre-loved luxury goods contributed to a circular fashion ecosystem, raising nearly HKD$1 Million in sales revenue.

    This allowed for the empowerment of the future leaders of fashion & technology with an education built on sustainable practices.

  • Record profitability for Hermes after China-driven boom

    Record profitability for Hermes after China-driven boom

    A Hong Kong property windfall and the Hermes Asia business helped the luxury label set a record profit margin during the first half of this year.

    Hermes says recurring operating profitability reached 34.5 per cent of sales, with net profit rising 17 per cent to €708 million (US$824 million).

    And after including a capital gain of €53 million from the sale of the former Galleria store in Hong Kong, operating income reached €1.037 billion, up 11 per cent to reach 36.3 of sales.

    Hermes Asia sales – excluding Japan – rose 15 per cent, the strongest performing market internationally, continuing what the company described in a statement as “an outstanding performance, with positive momentum in continental China and the whole region”.

    During the half year, Hermes Asia benefitted from the opening of the Landmark Prince’s store in Hong Kong in January. Another new store opened in Changsha in May.

    Sales in Japan rose by 7 per cent.

    The Hermes Asia performance better that of the Americas (up 12 per cent), Europe excluding France (up 7 per cent), and France (up 8 per cent).

    Hermes global sales reached €2.853 billion, up 11 per cent at constant exchange rates and by 5 per cent at current exchange rates.

    “Hermes achieved an exceptional performance in the first half of the year,” said Axel Dumas, executive chairman. “Our commitment to the quality of know-how, the spirit of innovation as well as the creativity, always renewed, and the dedication of the women and men of Hermes, base the singularity and the integrity of our economic model; a strong model in a worldwide context that remains uncertain and unstable.”

    By product category, ready-to-wear led the way rising 17 per cent, thanks to broad acceptance of its “pertinent and bold” designs, the company said. Fragrance sales rose 15 per cent, watches by 9 per cent, leather goods and saddlery sales rose 8 per cent and silk and textile sales by 7 per cent.

    Other Hermes business lines, which include jewellery, art of living and Hermes Table Arts, grew by 24 per cent.

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  • Armani’s Uri is back in Hong Kong

    Armani’s Uri is back in Hong Kong

    First arrived in Hong Kong last year, the popular striking red ARMANI Beauty pop-up store, ARMANI BOX HONG KONG, is coming back to Hong Kong from September 11 to 25.

    This summer, ARMANI BOX and its signature gorilla, Uri, will return to Hong Kong in their 11th stop, showing up in even more spectacular styles at Harbour City’s Forecourt, Atrium II, and Ocean Terminal Lobby, Tsim Sha Tsui.

    ARMANI BOX is customised for every city it tours, to show visitors “The Armani You Don’t Know”. This time, ARMANI BOX Hong Kong will stay with the Armani Red #400 as the themed colour, with new elements, cinematic and red carpet, which are closely associated with Mr. Armani. The striking red gorilla, Uri, will turn into gold in colour in the very first time as if the Oscar statuette.

    In every city it goes, ARMANI BOX showcases an iconic artpiece, a life-sized resin gorilla Uri, at the most prominent spot. It is a replica, by Italian artist Marcantonio Raimondi Malerba, of the gorilla artwork at Mr Armani’s home in Milan.

    The return of ARMANI BOX Hong Kong is bringing more surprises to visitors with new special features inspired by the movie world and the star-studded red carpet.

    Visitors can enjoy new experiences, such as Walk of Fame to leave their digital handprint and the Screen Test “Be a star” audition, for an unforgettable journey. They will also be able to indulge in the ARMANI Beauty’s universe and try new experiences exclusive to ARMANI BOX Hong Kong only.

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  • Burberry is launching ‘See Now, Buy Now’

    Burberry is launching ‘See Now, Buy Now’

    British luxury fashion house Burberry is releasing a see-now, buy-now collection exclusively on Instagram and WeChat.

    Limited-edition pieces from the collection, the first released under the Burberry label by designer Riccardo Tisci, will be made available through 24-hour product releases on the two platforms. The inclusion of WeChat on the see-now, buy-now program illustrates the importance of the Chinese market for the brand.

    A physical sale for the collection will be held in the Regent Street, London flagship store at 5.30 pm on September 17, immediately after Tisci’s runway presentation at London Fashion Week. The store will be visually transformed under a Tisci-designed concept for the 24-hour sale.

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  • ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’ ends Asia Tour in HK

    ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’ ends Asia Tour in HK

    Pacific Place is delighted to be soon unveiling the critically-acclaimed V&A exhibition ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’ in Hong Kong, taking place from 28 September to 28 October 2018.

    This Asia Debut Tour will see its finale at Pacific Place after successful showings across Swire Properties’ retail malls in Mainland China.

    The grand opening of the exhibition also kicks off a season of exceptional and exciting happenings to come in Pacific Place, following its recent launch of the brand refresh campaign ‘THIS IS THE PLACE’.

    ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’ explores how shoes can cause both pain as well as pleasure for the wearer; and more importantly, how footwear choices reflect human and societal behaviour. Featuring over 140 pairs of shoes from around the globe and exhibits from as far back as 1st century BC, the exhibition demonstrates the different roles played by shoes across different cultures, occasions and histories. Exclusively featured in this Asia tour, co-curated by Swire Properties, are 14 pairs of shoes from leading actress and singer Karen Mok’s personal collection, which represent important milestones in her life and career.

    Alongside the exhibition, Pacific Place will bring a series of exciting activities to engage customers, including attractive instore shopping privileges and services, guided tours, workshops and many more.

    As a pioneer of innovative retail concepts in Hong Kong, Pacific Place continues to transform physical spaces into delightful immersive experiences that are ever more progressive.

    Bringing this world-class exhibition out of museum walls to a retail mall with free admission to the public, manifests Pacific Place’s dedication to elevating everyday moments through unique encounters of fashion, art and culture.

    ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’ Explores the Power of Transformation
    This exhibition comprises of five sections:

    1. Transformation explores how shoes can transform our self-identities, the concept of shoes being empowering and how designs of modern-day, fairy-tale shoemakers magically transform the life of the wearer. Featured shoes include Cinderella’s slipper and David Beckham’s ‘Brooklyn’ football boots.

    2. Status examines how certain types of footwear began to denote specific social statuses across cultures, and hence dictate the way in which the wearer moves, how they are seen and even heard. Iconic designs by Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Roger Vivier for Christian Dior, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo, Vivienne Westwood, and shoes worn by Elton John and The Queen Mother are featured in this section.

    3. Seduction explores the mystery and secret of shoes from a more sensual aspect. Shoes on display represent an expression of desire, sexual empowerment or a source of pleasure.

    4. Creation leads a journey of shoes through design, sculpture and engineering both historically as well as those employing modern technological advances. Highlights in this section include exceptional designs by Zaha Hadid and shoe lasts of Princess Diana.

    5. Obsession explains how shoes are more than just commodity but also collectables to a designer shoe lover, trainer enthusiast or even a keen high-street consumer. Footwear obsessives do not acquire shoes as assets or investments, but for a fascination beyond measurable value.

    Helen Persson, curator of ‘Shoes: Pleasure and Pain’, said: “The exhibition demonstrates the transformative power of footwear; and how, more than any other aspect of dress, it has been used to express personality and capture identity. I believe this is a unique opportunity for audience to garner profound appreciations for art, fashion and footwear design.”

  • Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao preparing for Hong Kong IPO

    Chinese hotpot giant Haidilao preparing for Hong Kong IPO

    The Beijing-based firm, known for serving Sichuan-style spicy hotpot, is in the process of the pre-deal investor education (PDIE), during which analysts discuss the company’s valuation with potential investors.

    It will take orders from institutional investors today, according to people familiar with the matter. The IPO will be opened to retail investors on Wednesday.

    The hotpot company generated a first-half revenue of 7.3 billion yuan (US$1 billion) this year, up 54.4 per cent year on year, its listing prospectus showed. Net profit increased 17 per cent to 647 million yuan during the six month period.

    Funds raised from the IPO would be used to finance the company’s next three years of expansion, develop new technology and projects to enhance food safety and customer experience, as well as repay debt, it said.

    Haidilao, which owns 362 restaurants, has expanded its operations rapidly to cater to a growing middle class population whose consumption is considered an integral part of the country’s new economy sector.

    Recent volatility in the Hong Kong stock market, no thanks to the US-China trade war, currency turmoils in emerging markets and fear of further interest rate hikes, have dampened interest for new listings. This compared with the boom in the first eight months in which funds raised from IPOs totalled HK$187.6 billion (US$23.9 billion), representing a 161 per cent surge from the year-earlier period, according to data from the city’s stock exchange.

    By Friday’s market close, the 10 biggest IPOs in the past year – including China Tower, Xiaomi, ZhongAn Online P&C Insurance – all traded below their offer prices. The Hang Seng Index fell on Friday, posting a weekly loss of 3.3 per cent as a new round of US tariffs that could hit US$200 billion of Chinese goods looms.

    Other upcoming IPOs include investment bank China Renaissance, which aims to raise as much as US$400 million. It will begin its PDIE next week.

    Meituan Dianping, China’s largest on-demand online service platform, launched its offering this week in an attempt to raise US$4.4 billion. The stock is expected to start trading on September 20 on Hong Kong’s main board.

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  • OnTheList launches in Singapore

    OnTheList launches in Singapore

    Hong Kong’s OnTheList flash-sale concept has launched in Singapore.

    The first OnTheList Singapore sale will run from September 19 to 22 in Ngee Ann City Tower B.

    It marks the first overseas foray by the independent, members-only flash-sale concept platform, founded in 2016 by French entrepreneurs, Delphine Lefay and Diego Dultzin Lacoste.

    OnTheList contracts to brands to move excess inventories in short-term sales, with discounts as high as 90 per cent. By selling to a pre-registered, members-only audience, the sales do not undermine those at mainstream stores, or clutter them with racks of off-price merchandise.

    Consumers enrol to attend sales online, with options of free access or a paid premium membership giving advance access to sales.  A separate website has been built for OnTheList Singapore.

    “When I was working in Hong Kong’s retail industry, there was an absence of options for distributors and brands to clear old inventory occupying valuable warehouse space,” explains Delphine Lefay. “To fill this gap, we founded OnTheList as an independent third-party platform and it was the first of its kind in Asia.

    “Through flash sales we hosted, we offered consumers access to premium products at attractive prices, and brands the opportunity to clear past-season items and connect with new customers,” she adds.

    Dultzin Lacoste says this method of clearing stock also promotes sustainability and minimises environmental impact within the retail industry, as old inventory does not go to waste.

    “OnTheList’s business model also gives brands the opportunity to reach out to a wider consumer database, engaging them through the flash sale platform as a first touch point.”

    In just two years, the business has gone from a few pop-up sales to over 150 flash sales and partnerships with over 250 premium brands, including Armani, Clarins, Diane Von Furstenberg, Ferragamo, Kenzo, Roberto Cavalli, and Ted Baker Le Creuset and Havaianas. In Hong Kong, OnTheList now has a permanent venue for its flash sales, but has grown so big it still needs short-term venues, often running multiple sales concurrently.

    OnTheList has now cleared more than 1 million items from its brand partners – and in one four-day sale last year it sold a pair of Havaianas every six seconds.

    OnTheList Singapore will launch with monthly pop-up sales, announcing participating brands just 10 days prior to the sale.

    “We are expanding into Singapore because its retail market has many similarities with Hong Kong’s,” says Lefay.

    OnTheList Singapore also hopes to tap into the large tourism market, as tourism receipts in the city have reached record highs during the past two years.

    “As visitor arrivals from China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam have increased tremendously, it is an opportune time for OnTheList to attract high spenders from the region and to use Singapore as a launchpad for future expansion in Asia and beyond.”

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  • Hong Kong’s Kam’s Roast opens in Indonesia

    Hong Kong’s Kam’s Roast opens in Indonesia

    Hong Kong-based restaurant Kam’s Roast has now opened in Indonesia.

    The franchise, which also has branches in Singapore and the Philippines, has been recognised in the Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau for the past four years.

    Launching in Pantai Indah Kapuk – a neighbourhood in northern Jakarta – the eatery features local roasts garnished with sauces imported from Hong Kong.

    The website for the brand in its home territory – where it is known as Kam’s Roast Goose – describes the brand as a third-generation business originally launched in 1942 under the name Yung Kee Restaurant.

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  • Good Goods Issey Miyake concept opens in Tokyo

    Good Goods Issey Miyake concept opens in Tokyo

    Japanese fashion designer Issey Miyake has opened a new “Good Goods Issey Miyake” concept store in Daikanyama, Tokyo.

    The two-level 94sqm store, which opened next to label mate “Homme Plisse Issey Miyake”, stocks a curated selection of Issey Miyake pieces as well as some exclusive products. It sports a futuristic interior design by Tokujin Yoshioka.

    In a press release, Yoshioka said: “The space, which features aluminum dyed light green, is designed with the futuristic contrast of texture between concrete and aluminium. Diagonal slits extended throughout the space not only show futuristic expression, but also transform to function as shelves. Issey Miyake’s innovative spirit of making things is reflected in the space.”

    In future, the store will experiment with a seasonal rotation of brands and products.

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  • Foot Locker is coming to HK

    Foot Locker is coming to HK

    The US sneakers and apparel giant Foot Locker is coming to Hong Kong.

    The brand will be hosting an event the 19 of this month for the exclusive launch of its new store in TST.

    Located in Yue Hwa International Building, 1 Kowloon Park Dr, Tsim Sha Tsui , you cannot miss the billboard when walking by.

    Stay tuned for more info regarding the official store opening.

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  • Ganko oyaji furniture maker to open first store in Hong Kong

    Ganko oyaji furniture maker to open first store in Hong Kong

    Japanese handmade furniture brand Gankooyaji has opened a store in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

    Gankooyaji was founded in 1971 by Yasuhiro Ohara. The name translates to “a stubborn father”, which offers a hint to the brand’s mission of using only old-growth wood from century-old trees and making furniture by hand.

    The new Hong Kong store, located on the 8th floor of the Kam Hon Industrial Building, on Wang Chiu Road, is divided into eight themed zones displaying furniture sorted according to the use of materials and production techniques.

    Ohara believes that in a modern city like Hong Kong, with an emphasis on mechanisation and quick results, the quality of life and the beauty of tradition are easily sacrificed in a fast-paced lifestyle.

    “Extraordinary traditional craftsmanship of furniture making will eventually phase out due to mechanisation,” he says.

    “The traditional skills of woodworking is at risk of dying out despite its high value of preservation. My mission is to safeguard the heritage of woodworking and create high-quality furniture that last for generations, and at the same time introduce the beauty of Japanese traditional craftsmanship to Hong Kong people.”

    Ohara worked in a chain department store for mass-produced furniture before he started his own business.

    Gankooyaji insists on following the spirit of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, from the selection and processing of wood, to the connection techniques and paint lacquer. Ohara travelled all over Japan searching for talented traditional craftsmen, inviting them to produce high-quality furniture for the brand.

    Gankooyaji has branches in Mito City and Tsukuba City of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. It is also sold in Singapore.

     

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  • Two new-format Maison Boucheron stores opens in HK

    Two new-format Maison Boucheron stores opens in HK

    Heritage jewellery design house Maison Boucheron has opened two new boutiques in Hong Kong.

    The boutiques, located at Pacific Place and Admiralty and IFC mall in Central, showcase a Parisian design ethic that recalls the historical Boucheron Hotel Particulier on the French capital’s Place Vendome. The Pacific Place boutique features a personal one-on-one experience in a dedicated VIP room.

    The openings further strengthen the presence of Boucheron in greater China as it celebrates its 160th anniversary this year. They represent the first steps in the brand’s expansion in the region, with more new boutiques marked for Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai and Beijing. There are currently more than 55 Boucheron boutiques across the world.

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