Hong Kong gifts to help you bring a piece of home around the world…
We’re highlighting some great brands and services that are quintessentially Hong Kong. offer a little bit of the “Fragrant Harbour” to go. Whether you’re looking for a gift to take as a piece of your beloved Hong Kong to share with family and friends back at home or shopping for a little keepsake, these are some of our favourite items to get the job done.
What better way to celebrate the city than to incorporate iconic images into your outfit. Look no further than Louella Odie and their stunning designs. These include glamorous handbags decorated with the city skyline, stylish purses featuring the traditional abacus, and gorgeous scarves emblazoned with the double happiness symbol or the iconic Bauhinia flower. There’s no question that mother-daughter team Karen and Lauren Mead have crafted collections that will have you standing out from the crowd, and strangers asking: “Where did you get that?”
Local artist, Shann Larsson showcases her modern take on the zodiac in this playing card adaptation. The ‘Blue & White Porcelain’ deck features hand painted and digitally refined illustrations that are inspired by traditional 14th century Chinese blue and white ceramics. Get in touch directly to buy the deck with a complimentary mini-print of your choosing or browse individual prints and custom artwork!
Cityscape shots of Hong Kong are easy to find but for something truly unique opt for a print by Belinda Bath. Her beautifully thought out images capture Hong Kong in its varied glory, bringing together classic and modern scenes into one stunning print. Her skill with the lens is one thing, but the combination of hues truly makes these pieces special. She explains: “There is so much colour here in HK and so many beautiful and rustic things to photograph that are truly unique to HK. I design my work around colour palettes that I love but sometimes I let the images I find dictate the colour.”
Patinova make beautiful pieces for men and women celebrating HK’s unique culture. Founder Ben Huang has created extraordinary pieces out of ordinary items such as cufflinks crafted from classic coins, depicting Chinese characters, or designed into the shape of Dragon Boat Race paddles. There are also beautiful handmade miniature abacus cufflinks, which actually work in the same way of a standard sized one. The store also sells Chinese Zodiac animal pendants, and classic coin charm bracelets.
Why not get out and about with your family and make some memories of you all against the city backdrop. Melanie Adamson does some brilliant shoots in imaginative locations and is adept at getting kids to perform to camera. She snaps interiors, babies, head shots, and more. So there’s unlikely to be a location or a situation that she can’t capture for posterity.
Why not opt for a classic Hong Kong day – and where better than one of its most famous hotels? Have brunch at The Clipper Lounge before retiring for a pick me up. The Mandarin Barber has been keeping the city’s gents well groomed since 1963 so head there for the classic wet shave, facials or executive mani/pedis. They even have father and son experiences, and a special baby’s first haircut service complete with certificate and framed lock of hair. The famous spa and salon is a favourite with well-groomed tai tais.
For darling cards, wrapping paper, and general gifting items head to the Lion Rock Press. Their designs are fun, bright and feature Hong Kong’s best loved bits – from dim sum and porcelain pots to trams and the Star Ferry. Plus, this is a firm steeped in HK history – the family has been in the paper business for around 120 years.
From leaving gifts to the cutest Christmas presents, there’s something to keep every member of the family happy!
Boutique firm Colonial Hong Kong have an array of historic and imaginative pieces celebrating the city’s heritage. Owner Ben Huang, who also runs Patinova, has come up with something for everyone. The 1950s Tourist Poster is a must buy. The image is based on an old tourist guidebook illustration and is bursting with colour and it fits standard frames. The typography maps and tram destination prints are also popular and make great mementos for those leaving town.
For vivid, original artwork bursting with Hong Kong imagery Louise Hill design is a great choice. Her designs are inspired by her own photography, illustration and patterns, vintage scenes, and photographs of textiles. Her pieces on canvas such as Hong Kong Ferry, Lucky Cat, Mahjong, and Hong Kong Taxi capture some of the city’s best loved images. She also has a series of ‘Limited Edition’ prints in a neutral colour palette based on a luxurious Chinoiserie style. Framed as if looking through an ornate window, they include imagery from Singapore, China, Japan, India, Hong Kong and Bali.
Featured image via Pinterest