Bridal Revisited: Create bespoke wedding moments in Hong Kong

In the charming world of decadent weddings, nothing is off limits. While you may want to create a spectacular ceremony to wow the crowds, when it comes to picking out the top spots for bespoke bridal and wedding frills, leave it to us.

From bedazzling wedding gowns and hand-sewn suits to hand-crafted invitation cards and art deco tiered cakes, here is Gafencu’s list of places to go to add a sumptuous personalised touch to your big day.

Bespoke tailoring by Magnus & Novus
A perfect fit for the modern groom

Attention, guys! If there is one thing you should invest your time and money in during the complex wedding-planning process, it is a top-notch custom-made suit. After all, while everyone’s eyes are on the bride, she’s only got eyes for you.

When it comes to putting your best foot forward on your big day, the artisanal menswear brand Magnus & Novus pulls out all the stops. More than 5,000 handmade stitches, 50 hours of tailoring, and rigorous product development and research go into creating each bespoke suit – all to guarantee that the groom looks his best next to her couture dress.

Through private consultations, customers can collaborate on the design, be it determining the fit of a raw silk jacket or personally selecting from a wide range of fine-pearl requisites and handcrafted accessories to pair with their ensemble. Every minute detail ensures the expression of a gentleman’s personal creativity and debonair style. Each suit takes four to six weeks to perfect, inclusive of at least three visits for measurements and alterations, but in the end you’ll have a wardrobe standout that is forever close to your heart.

For enquiries: (852) 9380 9173 / magnusandnovus.com

A dress for any bride by Marco M Chan
Dressing the bride is an imaginative love affair for Marco M Chan

The wedding dress is often the emblem of a bride’s childhood fantasies – every detail, every twirl, a liberated expression of her desires, wishes and creative imaginings.

Making those fantasies a reality is celebrated fashion stylist-turned-designer Marco M Chan. Earning rapid international fame, Chan has worked with fashionable A-listers, from Paris Hilton and CoCo Lee to G.E.M, and an array of prestigious brands, including Cartier, Omega and Shiseido. Graduating from dressing the stars to cutting his own cloth, he launched his eponymous label of show-stopping tailor-made pieces in 2013.

He thrives on transforming fabric into stunning bespoke gowns and dresses that emphasise his clients’ individuality and unique qualities, giving them a strong sense of confidence and empowerment.
Known for his innovative use of silk and lace, as well as the finest materials from around the world, his designs are recognised for his signature draping, and his way of reforming basic cutting techniques to accentuate the bride’s silhouette perfectly. The painstaking process takes, on average, six weeks from start to finish, but the result never fails to unveil a gorgeous outcome.

For enquiries: @MarcoMChan

Hand-designed invitation cards for your big day
Sandy Chan folds artistry into exquisite stationery for your big day

In the age of email and Instagram, handwritten invitation cards bring a personalised, intimate feel to special occasions. Especially on such an important day as a wedding, formal announcement by the way of a customised invitation card sets the tone for guests, providing a deft foundation for the stated theme and dress code.

Stationery artist Sandy Chan, founder and creative director of Sanstation, caters to the specific, personal tastes of each of the couple she works with. Her decade-long experience in the wedding industry and dynamic background reflects her unique artistry in blending Western art elements with traditional Oriental designs. Having spent her early years in Hong Kong and her teens in Oxford, England, before moving to Canada to study fine arts and graphic design, her passion for paper art and printing techniques unfolded into a career in 2014, quickly followed by the 2015 launch of her own business.

Elegant, tasteful and sophisticated, Chan’s designs have won awards and a number of prestigious titles, including exclusive wedding stationery designer for luxury hotels like The Peninsula Hong Kong and the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong.

For enquiries: (852) 3956 8780 / sanstation.com

Centrepiece-worthy artisanal wedding cakes
The Butterfly Patisserie’s creative wedding cakes set hearts fluttering

No wedding is complete without a beautifully designed cake. A centrepiece of any reception, the towering wedding cake is more than just a well-constructed mix of flour, eggs, butter and sugar. It’s an important symbol of tradition, commitment and love, as demonstrated in every exciting cake-cutting ceremony.

Serving up premium tiered treats is an elevated, boutique cake shop in one of Tsim Sha Tsui’s most luxurious hotels, The Butterfly Patisserie at Rosewood Hong Kong. Intricately designed and sumptuously moulded with the highest quality ingredients, it offers a slew of edible art with multitiered cakes for weddings and other special occasions.

With prices ranging from HK$1,280 to HK$1,680 per pound, The Butterfly Patisserie’s bespoke wedding cakes will naturally cater to the specific flavour and design requests of customers. From the addition of lavishly sprinkled gold-leaf flakes to elegant marbling, these exclusive, made-to-order creations provide newlyweds with a spectacular feature on their special day, and the sweetest of memories to share with loved ones and close friends.

For enquiries: (852) 3891 8732 / rosewoodhotels.com

Personalised Touch: Custom made décor and furniture you need for the home

Every start and end of the day begins in the comfort of your home, and there is no greater feeling than coming home to a place of your own, culminated with the objects that, not only stylistically elevate a room, but creates a living space that best speaks to the personal taste and style.

To set the tone of how you want to spend your downtime, what better way to sink into the peace and comfort of being at home than to customise your personal space with custom-made décor and furniture that best reflect your personality offer your abode a graceful lift of personality. From hand-made hardwood furniture to bespoke flower arrangements, these are the most noteworthy places to find precious custom-made decorative pieces to add to your home.

spruce hong kong custom hand made wooden furniture gafencu bespoke — Image courtesy of Sprue HK

Spruce up your home with Sprue (custom-made hardwood furniture)
With more than 50 years of combined experience in carpentry and custom-made furniture design, Sprue Bespoke Furniture owner Josh Manning and his team have made it their passion to realise homeowners’ decorative dreams, paying a close focus on the use of high-quality solid-wood joinery.

Initially starting up as a small design and craft workshop in 2013, they have since expanded their repertoire of materials, techniques and team of experts in timber joinery, metalwork, blacksmithing and upholstery (to name a few), and will soon open their first showroom in Yau Tong. Finished with natural hard wax, their furniture is easy to maintain and built to last.

The solid hardwood joinery experts build each piece by hand in Hong Kong. From measurements and interior fitout to design and finish, Sprue creates hardwood furnishings that are tailored to fit each client’s unique space and taste – whether it is a design made from scratch or a re-creation of an aspirational piece. As an average cost, projects range from HK$20,000 to HK$110,000, depending on the fitout.

For more info: (852) 5702 104 / sprue.hk

lee wah frames custom made for art gafencu bespoke — Image courtesy of Lee Wah Art & Frames

Picture perfect frames at Lee Wah Art & Frames (Custom-made frames for collectable art)
With all the talk of art collecting, it’s a surprise that there has been so little mention of custom-made framing. One shop in particular, situated in the heart of Central, has spent over four decades providing art aficionados and galleries with framing solutions for their precious investments. Lee Wah Art & Frames, founded by Ernest Chan in 1973, enables each picture to stand out with frames made of the finest materials imported from Europe and the United States. Its work is of the highest standard, adhering to quality specifications of museums and conservation institutions.

A large, loyal clientele of artists and renowned galleries appreciate Lee Wah’s depth of knowledge in design concepts that allows the creation of custom-made frames that both protect and maximise the impact of each unique work of art. The shop offers a comprehensive selection of more than 1,000 frame moulding styles that are designed with precise detailing and stylish touches to complement not only the artwork, but also the client’s interior décor and taste.

For more info: (852) 2525 9416 / lwframing.com

al-shahzadi hk carpet queens road gafencu bespoke — Image courtesy of Al-Shahzadi

Roll out in exquisite style with Al-Shahzadi (hand-woven Persian carpets)

In the ’90s, the stretch of Queen’s Road in Wan Chai was lined with shop windows gaily decorated with Persian carpets. Today, only a handful of hand-woven carpet shops are left to keep the trade alive. A standout among them is Al-Shahzadi HK, simply and affectionately known by antique aficionados as ‘The carpet shop on Queen’s Road’.

Having been established in 1952, the family-business’ 60-year legacy is now proudly continued by third-generation scion Avais Ahmad, who calls the carpet shop at 265 Queen’s Road East his second home.

A visit to its showroom does not disappoint. Backed by a staff of experts, they guide discerning customers with an eye for detail through their wide selection of high quality traditional and modern Persian carpets. Available in an array of colours, shapes and sizes, from 3ft rugs to carpets that stretch up to 20ft – all hand-made with 100 percent silk, wool or cotton.

For more info: (852) 2834 8396 / alshahzadi.com

be candle sai kung gafencu custom made soy wax candle — Image courtesy of BeCandle

Flickers of creativity from BeCandle (besoke scented candles and essential oils)
Joy, passion, warmth and nostalgia… who wouldn’t want an olfactory experience that allows us to revisit the past or brighten the mood of those around us? Creating the perfect scent that narrates a story is surely possible, especially at BeCandle, a small fragrance shop-cum-lab nestled in Wang Street, Sai Kung.

Founded in 2012 by Xavier Tsang, a product designer-turned-business owner, BeCandle takes customers on an inspiring aromatic adventure while continuing Sai Kung’s history of sustainable local production.

Offering a range of vegetal and soy wax scented candles to essential oils, produced in small batches and encased in elegant hand-blown glass, copper or ceramic vessels, Tsang puts a premium on maintaining high-quality craftsmanship. He says, “Growing up in Sai Kung village, then living in Italy and travelling the world has given me a mix of unique experiences that inspired the creation of the brand”. This creativity extends to collaborations with international and local clients for exclusive and one-off pieces – each an expression of the individual’s personal journey.

For more info: (852) 8481 7684 / becandle.com.hk

gary kwok flower arrangement tailor made hand picked flowers gafencu bespoke — Image courtesy of Gary Kwok Flowers & Design

Blooming marvellous floral art by Gary Kwok Flowers & Design (Bespoke flower arrangements)
Anybody can purchase a bunch of flowers and drop them in a vase, but proper flower arrangement is an art form. Beautifully styled bouquets, garlands and elaborate floral displays are more than just decoration. According to Gary Kwok, founder of the epynomous floral design brand, “flower arrangements elicit a deeper connection with nature and ourselves”.

With a passion to translate floral art into a sensory experience that enlivens and transforms any space, Kwok offers a bespoke service that is personal to each client. “I want people to experience flowers as living objects that they can admire, appreciate, touch and even integrate into their daily lives,” she says.
Whether it is a launch party, a wedding or a special arrangement for the home, the skilled florists at Gary Kwok Flowers & Design support your celebration of every important moment in life through their use of raw materials imported from European countries such as the Netherlands, and a play of colours that highlight the unique beauty of each flower and the individual taste of each client.

For more info: (852) 8200 9226 / garykwok.com

joseph porcelain gafencu bespoke — Image courtesy of Yuet Tung China Works

A touch of elegance and tradition through Yuet Tung China Works (hand-painted porcelain wares)
Hand-painted Chinese porcelain is famed across the globe for its delicate craftsmanship, intricate decoration and exclusive price tag. An art and cultural practice once reserved for the use of the imperial court and export, this centuries-old tradition continues at one particular – and endearingly humble – porcelain factory in Kowloon Bay.

Yuet Tung China Works, established in 1928, was the first large-scale hand-painted porcelain factory in the city. It is now the oldest and one of last remaining producers of fine porcelain in Hong Kong. Headed by Joseph Tso, the shop’s third-generation owner and manager, the company endeavours to keep this disappearing trade alive.

There is little that the skilled artisans at Yuet Tung China Works cannot do. Specialising in custom-made, hand-painted, functional and decorative porcelain wares, they can create a wide array of products for diverse tastes, from dinner sets to lamp bases and fish bowls to accessories and gift boxes in any size, colour or design.

For more info: (852) 2796 1125 / porcelainware.com.hk

Featured image courtesy of Sprue HK

Obsessed with Persian carpets? Here’s where to buy them in Hong Kong

Ultra-chic and sophisticated, traditional Persian rugs and carpets are a thing of timeless beauty. They’ve been around for years and are making a big splash in the decor world once again. Not only are they durable, add a punch of personality to your home but can also enhance any decor style.

Can’t blame you for taking a major shine to them. Keep scrolling if you’re obsessed like us.

How to pick an authentic traditional Persian carpet:
The most important feature to look out for when looking for an authentic Persian carpet is the knot count. Top quality rugs will have at least 120 to 160 knots per square inch. The materials used to make Persian rugs are made of wool, silk or a wool-silk blend and can come in a variety of natural colours. This is because they are dyed with natural ingredients such as cochineal insects for reds, indigo plant for blues and pomegranate rind for shades of yellow.

Caring and cleaning the carpet:
Hand-made rugs should be vacuumed regularly to prevent dirt from settling into the pile of the carpet, especially avoiding vacuuming the tassels or fringes to prevent damage. Other things to avoid when caring and cleaning for the carpet is to avoid steam-cleaning or making the carpet wet. There are professional services specialising in cleaning hand-woven carpets, some of them provided by stores that sell the carpets themselves. It is recommended that having your carpet professionally cleaned every 5 to 10 years.

WHERE TO BUY TRADITIONAL PERSIAN CARPETS:

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home decor knots and patterns — Image from Al-Shahzadi HK

Al-Shahzadi HK
Spanning three generations, Al-Shahzadi HK has had over half a century in the business of Persian carpets, the family-run carpet shop boasts boast a large selection of hand-woven traditional (and modern) Persian carpets and rugs in different colors, sizes, shapes and country of origins. Every piece is made of 100% silk, wool or cotton. Their range of carpets which stretch between 3ft and 20ft fits in any room of the home. They also provide professional cleaning services for hand-woven carpets and an upgrade program for those who already own Persian carpets and would like to trade in for an even finer iteration.
Price: HK$5,000 – $350,000
Contact: (852) 2834 8396
Location: Wan Chai

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home decor size tribal rug centre — Image from Tribal Rug Centre

Tribal Rugs Centre
Having been in the business since 1967, the staff at Tribal Rugs Centre have earned a reputation for their expertise in traditional Persian carpets and Oriental rugs. Providing a one-stop service for authentic handcrafted traditional Persian carpets made from silk, wool and silk-wool blend from various regions namely Nain, Tabriz, Qom, Shiraz, Kashan, Isfahan, including vintages dating back a century. Their rugs normally range between 3ft to 12ft and larger.

Providing a one-stop service for homeowners, they also offer cleaning and repair services as well as bespoke rugs for homeowners and businesses in the city and beyond who prefer a specific pattern, colour, and size – meeting the demand that that many remaining traditional carpet stores in Hong Kong don’t.
Price: HK$18,000 – $350,000
Contact: (852) 2544 0455
Location: Hollywood Road, Central

gafencu where to buy persian rugs oriental and traditional persian carpets for home the rug store hk — Image from the Rug Store HK

Rug Store HK
Rug Store HK is a father-and-son business that carries a large collection of the premium quality hand-knotted Persian carpets in various colours and sizes, as well as other tribal and oriental rugs from countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey, personally hand-picking their products from individual family-run weavers. Having been in business for over 30 years, they have earned a loyal following that continue to order hand-woven rugs and carpets after moving out of the city, serving customers online and providing direct shipping to countries around the world. Beyond this, they also provide cleaning and repair services for vintage carpets ensuring your precious investments last for decades more. Those interested in visiting their warehouse can Whatsapp them three to four hours ahead of time.
Price: HK$5,000 – $65,000
Contact: (852) 28513665 / (852) 90180897
Location: Po Tung Road, Sai Kung

Persian Arts Ltd
Boasting a huge selection of vintage and modern Persian carpets and rugs, Persian Arts Ltd offers hand-made traditional Persian carpets for the home. With in-depth knowledge and over 20 years in the business, customers can rest assured that they know what they are doing when it comes to sourcing high quality hand-woven wool and silk rugs and carpets from skilled artisans from around the world. They also provide professional cleaning services for your hand-woven carpets.
Price: Enquire for more information
Contact: (852) 2524 8901
Location: Wyndham St, Central

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The Arts of Survival: Hong Kong’s disappearing crafts

Hong Kong is one of the most distinctive cities in the world. Its attributes are widely loved and reported: From the dynamic landscape of East-meets-West architecture and culinary staples, the towering skyscrapers that outline the iconic Victoria Harbour, not to mention the many picturesque islands and mountains that are mere walking distance from the heaving commercial districts.

But beyond the impressive infrastructure, a rich heritage of traditional handicrafts and art forms instil depth and additional vibrancy to the city. Steeped in Chinese traditions, and the country’s own history of folk crafts, many of these decades- and centuries-old practices have been passed down through the generations.

Yet, despite being an integral part of Hong Kong’s culture and distinct aesthetic, these home-grown crafts are struggling to survive in an increasingly modernised world. From hand-carved mahjong sets to hand-painted porcelain, these artisanal practices typically require rigorous training and exceptional skills, and with only a handful of masters remaining and not enough successors to continue their legacy, there is fear that these historical, traditional arts will die out within a few years.

Hand-painted porcelain
One such example is hand-painted porcelain and ceramics. In the early 19th century, porcelain was an important commodity for the British Empire, and the world trading port of Hong Kong set itself apart for its thriving industry of uniquely intricate and delicately patterned hand-painted china. The craft became intrinsic to the city’s artistic, cultural and historical identity.

Today, Yuet Tung China is the first and last hand-painted porcelain workshop in the city. Almost a century of history is rooted in its Kowloon Bay location, and now in the hands of third-generation scion Joseph Tso the business continues, albeit without a clear future as the old district of factory buildings upgrades to gleaming commercial premises. In its heyday, some 300 painters worked for the company; today only a handful remain.

Handcrafted copperware
Amidst the many kitchenware stores lining the streets of Yau Ma Tei, you may chance upon a pair of veteran coppersmiths at the 80-year-old Ping Kee Copperware shop. The city’s oldest coppersmiths is run by brothers Luk Shu-choi and Luk Keung-choi, who assumed the reins from their father after training in the family shop. Despite their advanced age, they continue to fashion copper pots and stills, fulfilling orders from local businesses for kitchenware and tea-brewing equipment.

But designing, hand-hammering and forging copperware is, to say the least, not an easy feat. Because of the years of hard work required to master its back-breaking skill and fastidious execution, this is a disappearing craft. Many among the younger generation have opted for less laborious jobs and higher-paid careers. The artisanal endeavour may soon be completely replaced by steel and copperware imported from China, as well as its more popular and durable counterpart, stainless steel.

Birdcage making
Before walking dogs in strollers became commonplace in the city, bird-walking was a regular sight amongst Hong Kong pet owners. From the ’50s to the ’80s, raising songbirds was a popular hobby for elderly retirees, most of whom were men. The popularity of bird keeping came hand-in-hand with the demand for handcrafted birdcages, often of elaborate design and structure. These birdcages were meticulously crafted in a process that lasted for several months: pieces of bamboo were shaved into strips that were soaked in hot water for hours before being bent and moulded under a kerosene lamp, and finally nailed together. Painting the cages also took days to complete.

However, soon after a serious outbreak of H5N1 avian flu in 2008, bird-keeping became subject to stricter government guidelines. Consequently, the number of bird owners dwindled, and today the sight and sweet sound of songbirds chirping within these handcrafted birdcages is limited to just a few areas, particularly the 3,000sq.m Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. One of the few remaining masters of birdcage making is Chan Lok Choi, who now in his ’80s and spends most of his time repairing cages rather than crafting them.

Candy blowing
The traditional Chinese handicraft of candy blowing derives from a 600-year-old Chinese folk art that was brought to Hong Kong during the ’60s and ’70s, and proved a real treat for young children at a time when toys were often considered a luxury.
The ‘candy men’ or ‘sugar people’, as these craftsmen are called, form these sugar figurines by first heating liquid suga, then blowing into it to form a ball-like shape, before kneading the balls into various guises, usually an auspicious animal or decorative symbol.

Today, the only candy man left standing resides on Cheung Chau Island. Visitors will find Louis To in a small corner shop crowded with wide-eyed children and families as he entertains with his skill and tales of the history of this traditional handicraft.

Neon signage
A quintessential emblem of the city’s nightscape is the huge, overhanging neon signboards that illuminate the shopping districts of Kowloon. This unique and highly distinguishable visual aspect of Hong Kong has often been used to set the tone of futuristic- and cyberpunk-themed films, such as the Japanese animation Ghost in the Shell and the 2017 remake of American movie Blade Runner.

Yet despite being an integral part of the city’s cultural identity, neon signs have been disappearing rapidly from the streets in recent years. Since 2014, thousands of signs have been taken down and replaced with digital billboards or cheaper and easier-to-make LED signs due to governmental safety concerns.

Today, there are only a handful of neon street sign makers left in town, and Wu Chi-kai is one of them. He has been hand-making neon signs for more than 30 years and despite their large-scale removal across Hong Kong, he believes the craft will continue to attract supporters. The M+ museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District has also started collecting, preserving and exhibiting neon signs for public appreciation.

These are just a few of the many traditional crafts that are fast disappearing in the city. Yet such skills encapsulate Hong Kong’s unique history and cultural identity, and as a result they are now attracting the attention and support of many young artisans and non-profit groups, as well as international media. Workshops held in creative hubs such as the PMQ building and charitable organisations like Crafts on Peel are pulling together a community of artisans to keep these art forms alive. The drive to preserve, revitalise and educate the public about their heritage is building momentum and providing glimmers of hope that Hong Kong’s traditional crafts may thrive once more.