Tag: Ookonn

  • Ookonn landing with special luggage at DFS

    Ookonn landing with special luggage at DFS

    Luxury travel retailer DFS Group is collaborating with Hong Kong luggage brand Ookonn to launch a dedicated pop-up store at T Galleria by DFS, Canton Road.

    The pop-up, to open next week, will showcase Ookonn’s signature patented round rolling luggage. It will also offer personalisation services, such as patterns that can be applied across an item’s body and handles as well as luggage covers. There are also monograms.

    It is the first on-ground store for the e-commerce company.

    “T Galleria by DFS provides a perfect setting to showcase our vision and values,” says co-founder/CEO/creative director Anson Shum.

    To mark the occasion, Ookonn has designed an exclusive luggage edition for DFS with a whimsical red and blue pattern.

    DFS will host a customer event on October 6 to introduce the pop-up and the DFS-exclusive print. There will also be demonstrations by Ookonn’s artist from Paris. An interactive artist will take over the store windows to entice people to explore the pop-up on the fashion floor. Stylist/former Voguefashion editor Grace Lam will join guests as they consult a tarot-card reader about their next travel destination.

  • Bluebell Group invests in designer startup

    Bluebell Group invests in designer startup

    Bluebell Group has invested in a new luggage design house Ookonn, which takes inspiration from a hat box, selling direct to consumers online.

    Ookon is the brainchild of Anson Shum, who conceived a style and design based on an old-fashioned, round hat box.

    At the time, Shum was working in a marketing and communications role with Bluebell Group.

    “When I resigned last year, I told the company of my plan to start my own label,” Shum said in an interview.

    ookonn-lugguage

    “They were so nice to me, and asked if there was any way we could work together. I showed them my business plan, and they offered to coach and mentor me.

    “Eventually nearing the end of my employment period, I did a formal presentation in front of all the shareholders. And the week after, I was told that Bluebell wanted to invest in Ookonn. It was a surreal moment. I think they decided to invest because of the product, the business model, and obviously the fact I have built a good relationship with them.”

    Shum and his business partners sell the Ookonn bags online, where they cost upwards of HK$2280 for basic models.

    “Online business is more relevant to my target audience. Ookonn is a lifestyle brand targeting millennials. While we get customers from different age groups, the feeling and foundation of the brand is for a younger audience in their early 20s to early 30s. While online is important, it is only one part of the business model, since we are launching in Hong Kong and China. But for other markets, perhaps we can collaborate with several bricks-and-mortar multi label stores,” said Shum.

    He describes his case designs as “a bit more playful” than most common luggage ranges.

    ookonn-lugguage-1

    “I’ve been working in fashion and luxury for 12 years, and have had plenty of opportunities to travel. But while I can find a lot of beautiful options for clothes and accessories, there are not that many for luggage. Most luggage brands in the market are business oriented. So I wanted to see if I could create a luxury brand that would generate excitement.”

    The bags come with a variety of options for handles, covers and belts and can be customised with the buyer’s chosen monogram.

    The bags come from Transport Safety Authority locks, wheels which turn a full 360 degrees and a light polycarbonate shell.