Shopping in haute Hong Kong
The photos hanging on the wall at Shanghai Tang show celebrity faces: Michael Douglas, Angelina Jolie, Keanu Reeves, Kate Moss, Jodie Foster.Each is wearing a Chinese jacket, or “cheongsam.” Similar dresses and jackets, many priced at well over $1,000, line the racks. The store is full of browsers and buyers.
Welcome to Hong Kong, where the A-list does its luxury shopping.
Ranking alongside New York, London and Tokyo as one of the world’s economic giants, Hong Kong pushes the envelope on design, architecture and obsessive consumerism. It’s an exotic port of call with superb hotels, exceptional restaurants and flashy nightlife.
And, of course, world-class shopping: If you can’t find what you want, you probably can have it made in a day or two.
A decade has elapsed since the British handover of Hong Kong to China. The territory, an East-West trading center since the mid-19th century, prospered during Britain’s 156-year rule. There was apprehension it would regress when the Chinese took over.
Instead, commerce has skyrocketed, along with the gleaming skyline. Multistory malls have sprung up crammed with designer shops. The latest additions in the Central District — the international business center — are Harvey Nichols, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, which join veterans Chanel, Cartier, Prada, Fendi and Dior.
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