Immigrating to Hong Kong is a great opportunity to visit these colorful exotic shops, where you can find unique items and a joyful atmosphere: less of the grandeur of large stores, more of the exquisite; less of the generic products on the streets, more of the individuality; less of the crowd and noise, more of the tranquility and leisure. Many people who settle in Hong Kong often feel the fast pace of this city, but if you take a moment to pay attention to the subtle changes in this city, you will discover many diverse and charming things. It will often bring you a sense of "unexpected joy," leaving you in a bright mood for a long time.
1. Maybelle Garcia
A Time Tunnel to Southeast Asia
Shanlin Road is a food hub, lined with various eateries, but there is a small shop on the street that sells handmade products imported from Nepal, India, and Thailand.
Although Maybelle Garcia is small, it offers a wide variety of products, primarily clothing, jewelry, and handbags, as well as home decor items, including skincare products and weight loss tea from Thailand.
In Hong Kong, ethnic clothing stores generally have higher prices, but Maybelle Garcia is not solely profit-driven; it aims to bring foreign culture to Hong Kong, so its clothing can be found for just a few dozen dollars. The owner, Sharon, says: "The Hong Kong market has been dominated by Japanese and Korean fashion, and everyone dresses the same, lacking their own style. Everyone should find clothing that suits them, but in the past, there were few choices, forcing people to follow trends, which is why I conceived the idea of opening this Southeast Asian ethnic clothing store four years ago."
Sharon, who studied fashion design, personally designs the clothing, sourcing fabrics from Thailand, India, or Nepal to create garments that are then sold in the store. The designs cater more to the Hong Kong market, making them more popular than traditional ethnic clothing.
Due to the similarities in ethnic clothing from Nepal, India, and Thailand, it can be difficult to distinguish which country a piece of clothing is from at Maybelle Garcia. Fortunately, the staff can provide some guidance—items adorned with small mirrors are mostly from India; Nepali clothing often features patchwork; and Thai products typically include shell decorations.
Address: G/F, 10C Shanlin Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
2. Living @ costume
Dancing in a Sari on the Loft
Upon entering the 2nd floor of the Tsim Sha Tsui Lee Theatre, you are greeted by strange music and the scent of sandalwood. Following the sounds, you will find an Indian sign with the English name "Living @ costume" below it.
Living @ costume occupies only a few square meters and has an unremarkable storefront, but once you step inside, you will be immediately captivated by the colorful ethnic lighting and uniquely designed daily necessities.
Having been in business for six years, Living @ costume sells various ethnic items imported from India, such as furniture, jewelry, clothing, lighting, and tablecloths, all personally sourced by the owner, Vena, who is passionate about Indian culture.
Previously a costume designer at a television station, Vena has a deep affection for ethnic clothing. In the past, she often had to source fabrics for costumes herself, frequently visiting "Chai Hang" (Indian material shops). Through her experiences, she gradually discovered the beauty of Indian fabrics, and after traveling to India, she became even more enamored with the ethnic products there. Every item in her shop, from the door decorations to the wall hangings, is imported from India. She found that the fabrics available locally were even more beautiful and varied than those seen in Hong Kong, so she decided to import fabrics and create clothing for sale. A few years ago, simple Thai-style furniture became popular in Hong Kong, but Indian products were less common. When the owner discovered the vibrant Indian decorations, she felt there was a market for them and began introducing household items like coffee tables and lighting.
Address: Shop 240, 2nd Floor, Lee Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui
3. Thamel
Wearing Nepalese Floral Fabric
The traditional Nepali women's outfit consists of three pieces, but it is relatively rare in Hong Kong. However, you can find it near the market on Elgin Street in Central.
Thamel is a modest roadside shop, primarily decorated in black, giving it a mysterious feel. Inside, there are various ethnic garments, with the most eye-catching items being the necklaces hanging on the walls.
Whenever someone enters the shop, a male voice warmly greets them with a "Hello!" It is indeed a unique feature of this shop that a man serves customers in a store selling women's clothing. This gentleman is the owner of Thamel, a genuine Nepali who is well-versed in the products from his homeland. In addition to selling Nepali ethnic clothing, the shop also features bracelets that he personally crafts, some adorned with silver beads and others with colorful stones, each piece being a labor of love. If you wish to purchase a traditional Nepali outfit, Thamel is definitely an ideal place, as the outfits sold in the shop are uniquely designed by the owner's wife. Owner Daniel says: "Although the styles are not too numerous, they are complete, with options for everyday wear as well as formal occasions. If a customer finds a style they like but there is no suitable size, they can also place a custom order, which takes about two weeks." After selecting your favorite clothing, you can also pair it with a pair of handmade sandals to complete the look, transforming into a Nepali girl full of ethnic flavor.
Address: G/F, 2 Elgin Street, Central
4. Aussie Belle: 100% Australian Sentiment
This small shop specializes in Australian products, offering a wide range of skincare, health products, honey, souvenirs, aromatherapy, dried flowers, koalas, kangaroo plush toys, and gifts: salmon XO sauce, made from premium salmon from the South Pacific of Australia, dried scallops, fresh oysters, combined with herbs, natural spices, and fresh lemon juice, serves as a seasoning for sushi, stir-frying, hot pot, noodles, barbecuing, and more, delicious and tasty. Dried scallop satay sauce is made from premium dried scallops and cashews, combined with herbs, natural spices, and fresh lemon juice, fresh and flavorful.
Bird's Nest Candy is a famous Australian specialty made from almonds, honey, egg whites, corn syrup, and wafers, a healthy and delicious snack, while natural lavender tea is made from lavender combined with high-quality tea leaves from North Queensland, Australia, making it an excellent beverage for a relaxing afternoon tea.
What’s most distinctive is that they offer nearly all Australian aromatherapy products. Aussie Belle has been in business for four years, but initially, they did not plan to sell aromatherapy products. Owner Jennie lived in Australia for many years, and upon returning to Hong Kong, she found that there were no specialty stores for Australian health products, so she boldly tried it out, and within a few years, she has opened five branches.
When it comes to the store's Australian aromatherapy, it is essential to mention three types of bottled fragrance oils: essential oils, fragrance oils, and diluted fragrance oils, each with about twenty options. Essential oils do not have therapeutic effects and are primarily used to enhance the scent of dried flowers or eliminate odors. The fragrance oils contain no impurities, with pure plant essential oils being the most expensive, but they must not be applied directly to the skin and must be diluted before use. As for diluted fragrance oils, they have a very fresh scent and can be used as perfume.
Address: UG05A, Phase 2, Olympian City, Mong Kok