If you're in Hong Kong for the new edition of Art Basel, take some time to explore the city's retail scene between exhibition openings. Far from the traditional luxury boutiques, a whole network of independent designers stands out with a more personal approach, focusing primarily on experimentation and originality. These brands offer a fresh perspective on the Hong Kong fashion landscape. Here are 12 must-visit addresses.
1. Matt Hui
Less than a year after its launch, Matt Hui's debut collection is already captivating audiences with its textured knits, bold patterns, and innate sense of proportion. Designed for layering, his creations favor loose, relaxed silhouettes. Like his blue sweater—featuring an oversized flared neckline, striped sleeves, and a checkered front—the designer demonstrates his ability to create pieces that effortlessly blend casual style with sophisticated elegance.
Discover Matt Hui's world here.
2. Meilan
With Meilan, founder Michael Cheung celebrates his mother's impeccable style through designs inspired by East Asian craftsmanship. From jadeite bead bracelets and gold pendants to lacquered rings, this sophisticated collection prioritizes quality over quantity. The brand also offers ready-to-wear pieces, such as the Crown of Thorns pure silk printed shirt, which demonstrates a true mastery of materials and finishes.
meilanjewels.com
3. Kinyan Lam
Kinyan Lam's eponymous brand and his workshop, Genau Studio, are dedicated to preserving and modernizing natural dyeing techniques. The pigments, derived from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs such as walnut husk, persimmon, and sappan wood, lend a unique chromatic depth to his pleated trousers and flowing shirts. Already recognized by the LVMH group for his innovative manufacturing process, the designer, whose brand is celebrating its third anniversary, offers highly versatile pieces, such as his embroidered mid-season jackets.
Discover Lam's creations here.
4. Pabe Pabe
The accessories brand Pabe Pabe playfully transforms everyday objects into whimsical details on its leather bags. The label cleverly repurposes hardware, as seen in the Knob model made of aged cowhide, whose clasp is actually a doorknob. The aesthetic is delightfully quirky yet deeply thoughtful: these functional bags, designed for everyday essentials, pay a playful tribute to the objects that inspired them.
pabepabeofficial.com
5. Arto
Specializing in women's ready-to-wear, the Arto label breathes new life into knitwear by playing with cuts and color palettes. Its founder, Arto Wong, demonstrates a perfect mastery of the material: she sculpts and dyes the yarn while ensuring its absolute comfort against the skin. The collection features pleated skirts, textured cardigans, and statement pieces like the Unlimited Energy Bubble dress, crafted from blue and green jacquard.
artoofficial.com
6. Pye
Since 1984, Pye has dedicated itself to elevating the classic men's shirt to the level of perfection. Under the leadership of Dee Poon, who revitalized the brand, the company now controls its entire production chain, from cotton seed to final stitching. The collection features styles designed for every occasion, crafted from poplin, twill, or exquisite blends of natural fibers. The structured Liu shirt, enhanced by an elegant mandarin collar, is a prime example.
pyeshirts.com
7. Rhyzem
Launched in 2023, Rhyzem takes a different approach from strict tailoring, offering a more fluid style. Its collections draw inspiration from various forms of urban and traditional art, from ceramics to calligraphy. This influence is particularly evident in its signature collarless jacket with its relaxed silhouette. Thanks to the use of organza, silk, and merino wool, the construction remains airy and offers soft silhouettes that naturally follow the body's contours.
rhyzem.com
8. A Society
If you're looking for designer eyewear, A Society positions itself as a bold alternative to traditional frames. Founded in 2018 by Kenny Kwok, Victor Chu, and Dee Lam, the brand draws its aesthetic from Asia's underground cultural scene. Created in collaboration with Universal Works, the angular Kowloon model—crafted from titanium and featuring blue-light-blocking lenses—perfectly encapsulates their approach: futuristic yet always functional.
asociety.com
9. Weigh
Founded in 2019, Ponderer stands out for its unisex cuts and experimental approach to textiles. The two founders, Alex Po and Derek Cheng, apply smocking, digital printing, and hand-dyeing techniques to a wide range of fabrics, from denim to silk organza. Tactile and highly visual, their creations transform the material, as seen in the Tide denim shirt with its smocked details. Their utilitarian wardrobe also incorporates subtle nods to Hong Kong's urban landscape (bamboo scaffolding, worn posters, tiles).
ponder-er.com
10. Yama Guest
The lifestyle brand Yama Guest takes its name from the Japanese word for "mountain" ( yama ), emphasizing the idea that we are only passing through nature. With a design resolutely focused on functionality, the label develops ultra-lightweight technical shirts, trench coats, and outerwear. Their light green, breathable shirt with an adjustable zip closure perfectly illustrates this desire to create pieces that are as practical in the city as they are in the great outdoors.
Click here to learn more about Yama Guest.
11. Still House
Located on Pak Sha Road in the Causeway Bay district, the Still House boutique has championed 100% local production since its inception in 2015. Conceived by Miu Chan and Liz Yuen, the collections are brought to life in a nearby factory in Tsuen Wan. The duo playfully modernizes classic lines by infusing them with subtle yet perfectly calibrated details. Visitors flock here to discover timeless, high-quality basics, such as impeccably tailored trousers or the elegant Tinker’s collarless jacket.
stillhouse-store.com
12. Femance
Childhood friends Angel Tam and Celia Ng founded Femance in 2019 with the idea of designing sculptural handbags with proportions adapted to Asian body shapes. The Lympia shoulder bag, with its umber-colored calfskin leather structure, embodies the very essence of the brand: a perfect balance between sophisticated aesthetics and practicality, for an impeccable look at the office or on weekends.
femance-official.com