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From the bright, neon lights that illuminate it at night to the clothes that everyone is wearing, there’s always something new to notice.
Once the site of Hong Kong’s first ice factory, today Causeway Bay keeps the city cool in a very different way. The district’s bustling pavements — where all walks of life shuffle cheek-by-jowl past one another in the shadows of lustrous skyscrapers — are a barometer of trends, offering almost as much insight into what’s in vogue as the catwalks of London or Paris. Pause at any major intersection and take a moment to observe the myriad cuts, colours, fabrics and silhouettes on show; this is street style in its most authentic form.
James Woodward, creative director of a local design agency, calls the area home and advocates it as an inspiration. “Visually, there’s so much that stimulates in Causeway Bay,” he says. “From the bright, neon lights that illuminate it at night to the clothes that everyone is wearing, there’s always something new to notice. And it’s great for people watching.”
Photo Credit: Elephant Grounds
One of his favourite spots to sit and watch as the world goes by is Elephant Grounds
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info , a coffee shop located in the aptly named Fashion Walk. Established by the poster boy for Hong Kong cool kids, Kevin Poon, it serves a fine cup of coffee from its white-and-wood surrounds, as well as lunch, dinner and stiffer drinks should they be desired. When temperate, its natty patrons spill out onto the Instagram-approved al fresco benches.
It’s always so inspiring — there’s just so much to take in. I always come away from there with a lot of vision and motivation...
For those seeking a chic awakening, Island Beverley
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info is a good place in which to get lost. Euphemistically called a mini-mall, its four floors are crammed with micro-shops peddling the latest styles from Asia’s fashion capitals, Seoul and Tokyo. Boasting wallet-friendly clothes, jewellery, shoes, accessories and everything in between, it’s see-now, buy-now done right and the easiest way to discover what’s hot at any given moment. Jewellery designer Anne Yuen admits that she peruses the baubles when in need of new ideas. “I love wandering around Island Beverly,” she says. “It’s always so inspiring — there’s just so much to take in. I always come away from there with a lot of vision and motivation, and normally with a few new purchases too.”
For fashion that’s not quite so fast, follow the sneakerheads as they ascend to one of the city’s original skateboard and streetwear stores, 8five2
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info . Named for Hong Kong’s international dial code and opened in 1999 (which makes it older than some of its clientele) the glass-fronted, marble-floored sanctuary is a modish temple of cool, with impeccably styled wares from underground and established brands presented on brilliant white shelves.
Analogue photography is now the hipster’s hobby of choice and Causeway Bay is the Hong Kong Island point of confluence for amateurs and aficionados alike, many of whom turn to Showa Lab
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info when the last shot has been taken. Simplicity is central to Showa Lab’s approach, ensuring that it does film development well and often at lightning speed. It also carries vintage cameras, a wide range of film and modified Polaroid cameras — surely the ultimate scenester accessory.
Sarha Kim, who works in fashion, chooses to live in the district not only for its cosmopolitan mix of local and international, but also because it’s where her preferred haunts are located. “I might be giving away a hidden gem here, but my absolute favourite spot in Causeway Bay is this lovely authentic Japanese teppanyaki spot called Kozy
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{{taRatingReviewTotal}} {{taRatingReviewText}} Address {{address}} Website {{website}} More info ,” says Kim. “It only seats about 20 people at the same time so it’s virtually impossible to get a table without a reservation. The ambience is always lively — I would recommend perching at the bar and ordering a highball.”
That Kim’s favoured eatery is Japanese instead of Cantonese, is indicative of Causeway Bay’s globalisation, whether in terms of style or flavour. However, what it does so well, is take that outside influence and transform it into something that is distinctively Hong Kong, a place where opposites attract and the younger generation is well dressed.
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