Kapok

Winter is upon us - time for some Grizzly boots

 

Now that winter is finally upon us, I finally cracked and got myself a pair of the Quoddy Trail Grizzly Boots. We got them in store this Summer, and it was juts a bit too early. Now that the temperature is dropping, they will become my shoe of choice (it's not yet cold enough to hunt for Grizzly bears, but it will be OK).

While looking for a nice picture of these boots to share with you, I discovered that The Sartorialist is also infatuated with what he calls "the lovechild of a moccasin and a pair of Air Jordans". I have to say that the leather is so soft that these boots are insanely comfortable!

Dosh - Wallet as Art

 

Dosh was founded in 2007 by Henri Spaile and Mark Armstrong. As directors of the Blue Sky design studio, Mark and Henri have created a wide range of award winning products including the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch, digital cameras for Olympus and mobile phones for Philips. 

Designed and manufactured in Sydney, Australia, Dosh wallets are made from a combination of polymer materials including Desmopan. This durable patented material allows Dosh wallets to be used in environments where most other wallets would perish - this gives Dosh a truly “go-anywhere” edge. Desmopan has been described as the new leather - a sturdy, slick and sexy material built for the modern age. Round corners and streamlined form to fit easily into pockets and reduces uncomfortable bulging.

No animals, humans or rivers are hurt in the production of Dosh wallets, and all of the materials in a Dosh wallet are recyclable at the end of the wallets life.

The innovative card slots provide safe and secure storage for up to 6 cards. This system is designed for easy access and return of the cards back into the slots. Stainless steel centre clips provides safe storage of bank notes and receipts, and allow for easy access. Small and compact, it has been designed to fit comfortably in the pocket without sacrificing storage space.

“Inspired by the world around us” in the words of Henri Spaile – one of the brains behind the design of the wallets, the shadows range comes in tonal black, vivid white and deep velvet red aka oil, gist and hearts whilst the street range reflects the hues of the urban landscape; a range of 9 colourways from the edgy “electric”, the vivid “atlantis” to the eye candy of “cookies and cream”. Each dosh wallet comes with its own collectable flavour card that tells the story of the colour.

 

Dosh card holders and wallet are now available in Kapok and webshop: www.ka-pok.com

Eau de Cologne reinvented - by Astier de Villatte

The new born perfume

For Astier de Villatte, Francoise Caron, one of the top perfumers at Takasago, author of worldwide fragrance sensations, such as “L’eau d’orange verte” for Hermes and Giorgio Armani “Gio” developed three colognes of pure delight, exclusive and luscious, that can be worn at all times without getting dull or annoying other people.

   

Eau de Cologne

This fresh splash will instantly wake up any sleeping beauty. A morning shock-wave both stylish and straightforward. A flare of verbena, aromatic effusions of lavender, rosemary, basil; the lift of a fleeting floral note. And a trace of benzoin to secure a lasting freshness.

Eau Chic

A genuine Francoise Caron original, under its tame exterior lies and explosive character. A subtle balance of white flowers (Ylang Ylang, sensitive rose, mysterious tuberose) and nervous, fresh intersity from rosemary, thyme, petitgrain citronnier, and lavender.

Astier de Villatte fragrances can now be purchase at the Kapok store on St. Francis Yard, or in our new webshop : www.ka-pok.com

Thomsen Paris - Exploring the Sustainable, Classic Chic from the City of Love

Three visions, three worlds, three perspectives ... A common ground, a shared inspiration. Alix, the collaborator of  Christophe Lemaire at Lacoste, taking care of styling - Franck, who launched American Apparel, taking care of operations and Lionel, from legendary Paris club Le Baron, handling the promotion.

Thomsen was born from the chance meeting of three characters around a similar interest : the shirt. Their initial idea was the same : they could not find a shirt to match their style. They quickly realised that a high quality and coll shirt, with perfect details, was a rare object. Apart from the trendy and the classic shirts, there was no choice. A tiny gap that Thomsen chose to explore. They are making garments they love and they don't know how to do otherwise... 

Here, love of the product comes first... The main efforts are made on the cut the concept, the creative process, the quality of the fabric and the production. The technical requirements of a Big Fashion House, without the complexities that could come from its history and structure.

At the end of the day, Thomsen is not starting any revolution but very nicely underlines a certain idea of simplicity and elegance.

More styles in Kapok are available, come and explore the Sustainable, Classic Chic from the City of Love

Common Project - Italian Craftsmanship meets the American Casual

Common Projects is a collaboration between designers Prathan Poopat (former art director for Visionaire and V) and Flavio Girolami. Combining their collective industrial and graphic design backgrounds, the pair formed the company in winter 2004. Inspired by utilitarian design and luxury product, the designers set out to create minimalist design basics and accessories.

All shoes are  made in Italy using the finest leathers and materials. Common Projects shoes are hand stitched to the sole as opposed to vulcanized.

Inspired by fundamental architectures found in everyday objects, each product is infused with a tailored and executed using the finest materials and processes. Common Projects offerings are practical yet luxurious. The line endorses the companies dedication to basic footwear architecture and marks each shoe with only it's proprietary gold stamp on the heel.    

Various style of Common Projects shoes are now available in Kapok with limited quantity.
Don't hesitate and come to experience the Italian craftsmanship with the American Casual.

Mizensir - the queen of candles

We have now created a "candle bar" at Kapok with a selection of the finest candle makers in the world : Heeley and Lost Marc'h from France, and Vila Hermanos from Spain. But a candle bar would not be completed without the most exclusive candle maker : Mizensir from Geneva, Switzerland.

Mizensir is the only manufacturer of perfumed candles to have an in house "nose" create the fragrances for each product. The "nose" in question is Alberto Morillas, world renowned perfume creator and winner of many an award including the Coty award for World's Best Perfume Artist of 2003. Alberto Morillas had the habit of creating a new candle for its family and friends every Christmas. His candles became so sought-after that he decided to create the Mizensir brand and make them available to a wider audience.

Mizensir is a family business which prides itself on perfection and which sets itself apart by offering a range of candles of the highest quality and unmatched anywhere else in the world. The methods of creation used revolve around homemade craftsmanship and know-how and strive towards a luxurious style, which is second to none.

Mizensir is one of the rare manufacturers to create his candles and home fragrances by hand in his workshop near the Lac Leman in Geneva, Switzerland. His methods of working are reminiscent of those used by traditional watchmakers; each item is unique, each wrapping box is hand folded, the perfumed wax is left to rest a while so as to obtain the best results.

We are proud to be the exclusive store in Hong Kong representing Mizensir and we are already stocking the following fragrances:
Floral
Rose Blanche - White Rose
Pivoine Matin - Morning Peony
Orchidee Chocolat - Chocolate Orchid

Tea
The vert - Green Tea
The fume - Fumed Tea

Fruity
Figuier de Sicile - Sicilian Fig Tree

Spicy
Gingembre rose - Pink Ginger

Woody
Cuir et feu - Leather and Fire
Vetyver de Java - Java vetyver
Bois du Tibet - Tibet wood
Cypres de Toscane - Tuscany cypress

Aromatic
Vert amande - Green Almond

Kapok Exclusive - Kanye West "Glow in the dark" Nooka watch

To celebrate the conclusion of the "Glow in the dark" tour, experimental watch maker Nooka produced a limited edition of its Zub watch. This "glow in the dark" model was limited to 15 watches for Kanye West and his crew. You can learn more at crave and hypebeast.

Now this "Glow in the dark" Zub watch by Nooka will be made available to the public.To keep it very limited, this watch will be produced by order only. This model will be available in Hong Kong exclusively in Kapok. We will take orders at Kapok until August 15th and the watch will be realeased in early September. The watch will retail for : HK$1,250

For more informaton or reservation, contact Kapok at : 254 99 254 / info@ka-pok.com or visit the store at G/F. 9 Dragon Road. Tin Hau

 

Kapok and Hooked present : COED tee shirt design exhibition

CO-ED is our 2nd t-shirt collaboration project by KAPOK and HOOKEDCLOTHINGS, after our first successful exhibition Some Kind of Wonderful in 06. So we have once again invited artist and designers over the world to join us in this Project .

Pink is for girl. Blue is for boy. Or the other way around?

An American newspaper in 1914 advised mothers, "If you like the colour note on the little one's garments, use pink for the boy and blue for the girl, if you are a follower of convention." Pink was considered as more of a boy’s colour (as a watered down red, which is a fierce colour) and blue was more of a girl’s.

Conventions are changing. And we are less following the rules of what they should wear... Girls wearing men suits, guys rocking floral patterns or a shocking pink shirt. But these personas don’t turn heads anymore.

We are moving ahead in time where label, name, title, occupation and status are just definitions that is getting more and more complex, merging into a realm of hybridity. And it is in this shared universe where CO-ED concept comes about. We are indeed living in the power of one – uni. Its aim is to create tee shirts that can be worn by both men and women. Right from the drawing board, designs are being consciously targeted for both sexes. We are challenging ourselves to break all graphic conventions that are easily associated to both men and women and rise above the means of popular culture. Designers have complete freedom to interpret the concept of CO-ED - theoretical, political innuendos, agenda-driven or simply playful or whimsical.

With CO-ED, you can choose a tee shirt for yourself, your boyfriend, girlfriend, brother, sister, or even your dog. In CO-ED, we believe in the power of uni.

We believe in one love.

For this CO-ED exhibition we are glad to present designs from  :

BOB FOUNDATION - JAPAN
FLEECIRCUS - SINGAPORE
HOOKCLOTHINGS - SINGAPORE
KAPOK - HONGKONG
KAR CHUN LEUNG - CHINA
LAU CHI CHUNG - HONGKONG
MARIKO JESSE - JAPAN / UK
MOMOROBO - SINGAPORE
RABI MARK - HONGKONG

VENUE : KAPOK 1/F DELAY NO MALL
68 YEE WO STREET
CAUSEWAY BAY.
DATE    : 17.12.07 Monday
TIME     : 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The exhibition will last till Jan 15th, 2007

One day shop at Kapok - Dec 2nd

What will you do on Sunday?
You may sleep till 2pm, then having breakfast at 4pm.
You may go to yum cha with your big family.
You may do your laundry for the whole day.
but some of us are going to do something different.
They want to open a shop, just for one Sunday.

Fur Fur, Hanami, Happy Ending, Sally Chu and Prettie Sillie are a group of handcraft lovers.
They have decided to hold a "ONE DAY SHOP" at Kapok on Dec 2nd 2007, just selling their their handmade creations.
You can find some lovely accessories, tote bags, zakka, and even homemade Lipstick here.

Everything is one of a kind, you will never find the same products again, since this ONEDAYSHOP@KAPOK will only happen on Dec 2nd 2007.
If you miss it, you can never find the same one.

So, no regret : this coming Sunday, 12noon-8pm, come to Kapok, visit the ONEDAYSHOP, spend a lovely Sunday with 5 handcraft lovers!

Kapok exclusive : Jimmy x Vila Hermanos Perfumed Candles

Kapok is very excited to launch a new collection of perfumed candles – a collaboration between one of Asia’s most renowned illustrator Jimmy () and Spanish traditional wax manufacturer, Vila Hermanos.

Jimmy was born in Taipei and has become one of the most popular illustrators in Asia. He had since set a fashion in creating and publishing illustrated books in local and international markets.  Being the most popular illustrator author in Asia, has created lots of fantasy and touch hearts across all generation. Immersing in his works is just like to go into Jimmy's inner world, his inviting stories reflect the reality of real life, more and more people are intoxicated by his vivid strokes and his magic realism narratives. Now in Asia, Jimmy becomes vogue of the time, beyond his stories, "Jimmy" is like a pop of a new life style.

The Spanish company “Vila hermanos” was created on October 19th, 1901 by three brothers : Juan Bautista, Salvador and Jose Vila Borderia. The company has been dedicated since 1901 to the manufacture of wax candles. Handcrafted in the family-owned Vila Hermanos candle factory, these natural vegetable wax candles are elegantly perfumed with natural essential oils. They are high-quality and made with all natural ingredients. Their scents are fresh and soothing.

We offer three scents of the collaborated candles…

Perhaps you dreamt of resting on petal of roses with its subtle fragrances encapsulating you in the gentle cradle of clouds amidst a white forest, Cherub and Seraph sitting by one of the white trees playful giggling as their little wings flutters with the symphony of the winds;

 

Or perhaps a revitalising scent of green tea flows through the air, shedding off the burdens of dusts from the concrete jungle, freeing your stifling soul as it ascends into a sanctuary above the valley of serenity and peace;

Or immerse yourself into an emotional state of immense passion and affection, leap free from the chains of social conformity and run with unsurpassed freedom and joy, the refreshing air liberates you as jasmines bloom in successive rhythms filling in the voids, creating a halcyon where stallions roam free on plains, unrestrained and unbridled, the exhilaration of liberty.

Inhale freedom, breathe joy...