In Hong Kong, Dee Poon throws open the doors of her chic boutique-cum-retail experiment
Things might not be looking quite as rosy on our shoes, but out East, the Chinese retail landscape continues to fill itself out. Dysemevas, a six-week concept pop-up shop, opens this week and aims to showcase design talent from China and Hong Kong while offering shoppers a unique cultural experience that encourages play and exploration. The site is slated to open its doors at 254 Hollywood Road in Hong Kong on November 11th and then move to Beijing this spring. Conceived by Dee Poon (daughter of retail tycoon Dixon Poon and Marjorie Yang, CEO and chairwoman of garment manufacturing Esquel Group) and designed by Mathias Woo (2004 Hong Kong Institute of Architecture prize winner), Dysemevas is conceived in part as a social experiment aimed at getting beyond the tired dragon and phoenix clichés. “[This is the] new China—the fun and young and interesting and kooky side of the country, which is full of amazing creatives and independents,” says Poon. “We want to attract people who not only see how far we have come, but how far we can go.” Ten designers from China and Hong Kong have contributed an eclectic mix of clothing, fine jewelry, watches, ceramics, and other lifestyle products. Standouts include Zhang Da, Among Strangers, Rocky Candy, Lin Jing, The Year of (a denim brand based around Chinese astrology), and JiJi, who makes “Hi Panda” T-shirts that Poon thinks are sure to be bestsellers. Dysemevas patrons will also be invited to activities hosted in its adjacent “Playroom,” which was inspired by buzzing Asian street markets. The cheekily named “Bored Games,” “Beauty Shop,” “Coffee and Cigarettes,” and “Cut and Paste” parties are all on the Dysemevas schedule, ensuring that the store will be as much of a destination for socializing as it is for shopping. “I hope people can just hang out, mingle, and have some fun,” Poon says. Sarah Sulzberger Perpich
Dysemevas
256/254 Hollywood Road
Hong Kong
+85.22858.2980
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