HONG KONG Kowloon Islamic Centre + Danielle Huthart + Rad Hourani + Wan Chai
Welcome If you’re passionate about design and creativity, interested in the
to bring state of the art designs to the city. Artist and designer
Arabic-speaking diaspora and in search of an adventure, this tailor-
Danielle Huthart who heads one of the most dynamic and creative
made guide to Hong Kong will give you a street-level perspective of
branding agencies in Hong Kong tells us how she is helping to pave
one the world’s most contemporary cities.
the way in the arts and culture scene.
Tucked away amid a cluster of green trees in the Tsim Sha Tsui
In the Wan Chai district we hop onboard the ‘ding-ding’ trams that
district, we discover the four towering minarets of the Kowloon
run down the middle of the city’s chaotic streets. Finally, we visit
Islamic Centre and mosque. It is the largest place of Islamic worship
the Middle Eastern stores which are stocking plenty of regional
and the Chief Imam of Hong Kong Muhammad Arshad tells us more.
favourites for the Arab diaspora in Hong Kong.
Also we meet Jordanian fashion designer Rad Hourani whose symmetrical designs are bringing him success in the Asian fashion market. His eponymous collections are distributed in Hong Kong’s I.T store which is an organic synergy as they share the same goal:
Contents 04
06
09
10
Profiling the architecture of
Founder of branding and design
Symmetrical designs and
Wan Chai is one of the most
the Kowloon Islamic Centre
agency White Space, Danielle
collections titled by numbers
adventurous districts attracting
and mosque and discovering
Huthart explains how the
typify the work of Rad Hourani.
a young and energetic clientele.
the heart of the city’s 200,000-
creative scene is starting to
He tells us about his designs
We take a stroll to see what’s
strong Muslim community
make its own mark in Asia
and the wider industry
on offer
The Story of the Chinese Dragon A symbolic icon within the Chinese community, the dragon has a colourful history. Resembling many things at once, the dragon is thought to represent guardianship, vigilance, nobility and divinity. The dragon is also generally regarded as benevolent creatures, energetic and impulsive. The myth of the dragon’s first appearance was in the sky, while an heir to the throne was born and the country was blessed with peace and prosperity for many generations thereafter. Thus, the dragon also serves as a symbol of good fortune. Hong Kong, the Asia’s World City, takes the dragon logo as its visual identity, symbolising the city’s historic past with its energetic modernity.
02
WRITER Jack Taylor
03
A SHELTER FOR ALL Located in the heart of Hong Kong, the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre rubs shoulders with local markets and shops, acting as the largest Islamic house of worship in the city One of the four principal mosques in Hong Kong, the Kowloon Masjid and Islamic Centre takes
trust at the time of construction, was selected.
conducted in three different languages; Urdu,
centre stage in the city’s Tsim Sha Tsui district,
established his eponymous India-based firm
English and Arabic. As in most Islamic places of
a popular district amongst the Middle Eastern
in 1960, the mosque clearly represents the
worship the sermons are focused on current
diaspora in Hong Kong. Hiding behind lush green
unique identity of Muslims living in Hong
affairs relating to family life and the community.
trees and in the middle of a busy thoroughfare
Kong. Decorated and elaborate, the traditional
Today, in addition to the three prayer halls
- public transport stops on the doorstep - the
architecture of the mosque distinguishes itself
and a community hall, there is a medical clinic
sun-drenched pink roof and pale-white dome
from the regular architecture of the neighbouring
and a library, a main prayer hall on the first
top can be seen from afar. It is a main shelter
commercial buildings. The most prominent
floor that can accommodate 1,000 people and a
and meeting point for over 200,000 Muslims.
features of the building are the four 11 metre
smaller women’s prayer hall on the upper
Originally built in 1896, the grand moorish-like
high minarets which mark the corners of the
floor, which is surrounded by a terrace
mosque was constructed entirely by the Indian
upper terrace and the extensive use of white
and surmounted by a dome - five metres
Muslim soldiers of the British Army. In the 1980s,
marble on both the paving and the façade.
in
countries
including
United Arab
by
architect
I.M
attend Friday prayers - where the sermon is
Kadri, who
and thanks to donations from Middle Eastern
Designed
diameter
and
nine
metres
in
height.
In 1984, the present building, with its dome
With the main role of the centre being to
Emirates,
and carved marble, was completed to serve the
bridge the different communities, the doors of
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, the mosque was given
territory’s 70,000 Muslims. Today the centre is
the mosque are open to everyone at all times.
a facelift and, after years of development, the
used for lectures, courses, marriage ceremonies,
‘We invite groups from all walks of life to visit us
renovated mosque opened its doors in 1984.
classes and daily prayers accommodating more
and see the range of activities we offer - often
At the time of rebuilding, Muslim engineers
than 4,000 worshippers at once over three
students visit us from local universities. We teach
working in Hong Kong were asked to find
floors. Under guidance from the 42-year-old
prayers and the Qur’an to everyone,’ says Arshad.
different architects from around the world to
Chief Imam of Hong Kong, Mufti Muhammed
The
present their ideas of how the mosque should
Arshad, who came to Hong Kong in 2001
Chinese,
look. After hundreds of sketches were presented
from Pakistan, the mosque welcomes different
Bangladeshis, Malaysian, Middle Eastern and
to the construction committee, a proposal from
backgrounds - about 700 to 900 people attend
African
engineer Kifayat Rahmani, a member of the
the daily prayers and approximately 3,000
the
Chief Imam of Hong Kong; Mufti Muhammed Arshad
temples, churches, synagogues, so he welcomes
Kong, with the main role being to maintain the
them all to the mosque if they want to come. ‘It
reputation of Muslims in a non-Muslim country.’
community
is
Pakistanis, all
Mulism
converge
very
Indian, here
community
and
in
diverse; Indonesian, represent
Hong
Kong.
is good to meet different people and talk with
Arshad’s day-to-day running of the mosque
‘Our main focus within the mosque is to establish
them directly, instead of only getting information
incorporates more tasks than just leading prayers.
good relationships among different communities
via indirect sources. Being in frequent contact
‘Besides leading the prayers I deliver lectures to
in Hong Kong,’ says the Chief Imam of Hong Kong,
one learns to understand people with different
visiting students and inspect and certify items
Mufti Muhammed Arshad, ‘There are frequent
backgrounds and religions.’ Being Chief Imam
needing halal certificates.’
dialogues with Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and Jews,’
means Arshad has a great responsibility to keep
he explains. Although Arshad couldn’t imagine
prayers united.
Mosque dawah committee, which teaches the
going to other places of worship, he notes that
‘In a metropolitan society it is important to keep
community about Islam through introductory
in Hong Kong there are worshippers visiting
good relations with all religious leaders of Hong
courses. He
04
WRITER Jack Taylor
Arshad is also the the chairman of Kowloon
also
PHOTOGRAPHER Anton Hazlewinkle
leads
the
Hajj
group.
01
02
01 Kowloon Islamic Centre
02 Children reading the Qur’an
03
03 Chief Imam Mufti Muhammed Arshad
05
UNFOLDING CREATIVITY Founder of Hong Kong based creative agency White Space, Danielle Huthart is a self-appointed cultural ambassador at the forefront of Hong Kong’s creative art scene. With a multi-national background, Huthart advises brands on how to be successful in this cosmopolitan city
01
06
01 Sin Sin, a modern atelier in a quiet and traditional neighbourhood
02
02 Aesop located in Sheung Wan
03
03 Relax with a coffee at Homei
In an urban centre where the art scene is defined
notion of white space characterises her design
city is now considered one of the thriving and
by small pockets in a number of districts, Danielle
work, which is clean and simple, relevant in local
expanding international capital art markets.’
Huthart and her creative design team went about
context and maintains an international sensibility.
She admits that the Middle East has a lot
mapping the city using the creative community as
The White Space agency is located in the
of similarities when compared it to Hong
a reference point. The project Creative City acted
creative hub of Sheung Wan, a thriving area
Kong. ‘[Dubai] is similar to Hong Kong in the
as a guide curated by creatives for creatives. ‘The
that gives them access to all levels of the
sense that the city is dominated by finance
best way to find out what’s going on is to tap into
corporate community. ‘We have a French bakery
and property businesses, yet there is a strong
the dynamic community that makes up the art
next to a Michelin-Star Chinese restaurant
creative scene emerging’, she tells us. ‘There
scene here,’ she says. ‘Hong Kong is a culturally
next to a local laundromat and European
is a group of people who are leading the
unique place just waiting to be explored.’
shop,’ she explains. Eclectic and cool, Huthart
way for more diversity and dialogue for art
Coming from a mixed background of an English
chose the district as it ‘attracts creative
and culture. Being able to understand both
father and a Chinese mother, Huthart was
types since it’s a less developed landscape,
western and eastern cultures enables us to
immersed in diverse cultures from a young
which still has a sense of rawness about it.’
produce work that has a cross cultural appeal.’
age. ‘My father instilled a sense of adventure,
A leading light for the Hong Kong creative
Huthart’s recommendations when visiting
curiosity and wonder for the natural world
scene, Huthart has been praised by the likes
Hong Kong are places such as Sin Sin, a local
in me, while my mother gave a sense of
of Lane Crawford, a well established fashion
atelier; Blindspot Gallery, a contemporary art
courage,
to
atelier, for ‘pioneering the creativity’ and is paving
space promoting photography, and Saamlung,
follow my dreams as an artist and designer.’
the way for others to follow. But she admits
a
Fortunate enough to be well travelled, Huthart
that with plans underway to develop West
space, all of which hold regular exhibitions.
says she has an appreciation of both Western
Kowloon Cultural District as well as the Police
‘In a city that has a highly developed arts and
and Eastern design and, when she started her
Married Quarters and Central Police Station,
creative scene, such as London, Paris or New
own branding studio White Space, she made
into design studios with a focus on heritage
York, it can be more inspiring but also more
the most of this knowledge. She has had much
and contemporary art, her job leading the way
challenging to be seen or heard among the crowd.
success. ‘Our goal is to be a leading agency in Asia
is becoming easier. ‘With the growth of Art
We’re excited to be a part of the changes that are
that offers strategic branding, design solutions
Hong Kong and the arrival of several bluechip
taking place, and also to contribute as much as we
and interactive services,’ she says. The physical
galleries such as White Cube and others, the
can in the ways we know how - by being creative.’
independence
and
freedom
commercial
gallery
and
project
04
04 Teakha, a tea and zakka bar located in Sheung Wan
05 Blindspot Gallery opposite to the Police Married Quarters, an art exhibition space-to-be
office
05
07
BROWNBOOK PICKS Danielle continues her story and tells us her four favourite places to eat, browse, sleep and shop in the Sheung Wan district, an area that she spends most of her time
EAT
BROWSE
This two-floor space located
Konzepp is a great little shop
Popular amongst the districts'
The Jervois is the perfect
in the heart of Sheung Wan
located in the Sheung Wan
key creatives, Homeless is one
place for travelers seeking a
Heirloom
Konzepp
SHOP HOMELESS
SLEEP The Jervois
is adorned with a tasteful
district on Hong Kong Island.
of the leading lifestyle stores
sophisticated place to stay at
mishmash of vintage-like
Besides its bright yellow facade,
that sells a range of furniture,
close proximity to Hong Kong’s
furniture and ornaments, from
it has a boutique-y feel to it,
lightings and designers’ home
most frequented destinations.
tin flower pots to a full-sized
typical of many of the small,
decor accessories. The idea
Located on Jervois Street
bicycle wheeled, Heirloom
independent retail spaces
behind homessless was to
in Sheung Wan, the hotel
Eatery is a great space that’s
appearing in this ‘up-and-
create a space where people
apartment offers guests ideal
brimming with fun and
coming’ area of Hong Kong.
can find products that their
access to Hong Kong`s most
fantastic ideas. Choose from
Customers are able to shop,
home currently lacks. The shop
exciting attractions. Central’s
a comprehensive selection of
meet up, listen to music, read
is stocked with over 3,000
exclusive fine restaurants,
salads, sandwiches and western
design and fashion magazines all
items covering a wide range of
luxury shopping centres and
mains on the menu, as well as
whilst sipping various green tea
lifestyle categories, making this
prestigious office towers are
Mexican favourites.
concoctions.
store very popular.
just a stone throw away.
INFO
226 Hollywood Road
08
INFO
50 Tung Street
INFO
29 Gough Street
INFO
Jervois Street
Sheung Wan
Sheung Wan
Central
Sheung Wan
www.heirloomhk.com
www.konzepp.com
www.homeless.hk
www.thejervois.com
TIMELESS FASHION Hong Kong might not have been Jordanian fashion designer Rad Hourani’s first market choice, but with his innovative collections attracting the right crowd, he is staying put
designs for himself. ‘I believe that using what
of choice. With the fashion industry in Hong
you would like to wear as a starting point to
Kong being eclectic, trendy and experimental
the design process is the most truthful and
his two lines – Rad Hourani, which experiments
straightforward approach. It certainly allows me
with new shapes and fabrics in a couture-like
to stay focused on my aesthetic statement and to
approach and RAD by Rad Hourani, which
continually assess my commitment to wearability,
focuses on using silhouettes in different materials
functionality and comfort.’ Having finished his
and a more casual transformable fit - continue
education after high school, Hourani decided
to go from strength to strength. ‘I feel that the
to become a fashion stylist, where he learnt to
new generation in Hong Kong has a great way of
analyse the construction of the clothes he was
thinking and moving forward,’ he says. ‘I believe
styling and how the marketing process worked.
they are open minded and modern and that’s
With this knowledge he started to design the
why the collections are so successful there.
Fashion designer Rad Hourani is a world citizen
sort of clothes he would like to wear without a
When Joyce proposed a collaboration with
in the true sense of the word. Of Jordanian and
specific customer, or indeed gender in mind.
me, I designed a collection based on my classic
Syrian parentage and growing up as an expatriate
‘Since my debut in 2007, everything I have
in Canada, he now balances his time between
designed is unisex. There’s not one line for men
Paris and New York.
and another for women – all my pieces are made
Hourani’s plans for the future involve
With such a rich and varied upbringing,
to be worn by everyone. I don’t work to seasons
exploring more of Hong Kong’s diverse culture
Hourani feels that this nomadic life has only
either, my collections are titled by numbers and
and architecture. ‘When I visit Hong Kong, I
had a positive impact on the direction of his
my pieces are always symmetrical, geometrical,
am very much looking forward to visiting the
career. ‘I don’t think we need to divide things
graphic and modern. Quality is of the utmost
Wong Tai Sin Temple and to learning more about
by gender, seasons, rules, religion, race, nationality
importance to me.’ Since his first collection in
Chinese traditions.’
or age’ he says, ‘I think that as a society we’ve
2007, Hourani’s clothes are sold in Hong Kong at
When it comes to his career, Hourani aims to
been extremely programmed and that is what I’ve
I.T, a store dedicated to selling the most cutting
develop and expand his unique creativity and to
learned from being everywhere and nowhere.’
edge fashion labels from around the globe and
continue to serve the Hong Kong market with
Joyce, the upwardly mobile fashion crowd’s store
his iconic, timeless designs.
Known for his androgynous style, Hourani
WRITER Danielle Simpson
styles which nurtured a very organic and natural relationship.’
09
ENTER THE BAY Wan Chai used to be a quiet bay on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. Now a thriving district it is fast becoming a cultural hub Some 150 years ago, Wan Chai, meaning
minutes from Star Street are following suit.
‘small bay’ in Chinese, was a quiet sandy little
Among the skyscrapers that populate the area,
The tram is one of the earliest forms of public
bay on the northern shore of Hong Kong
art lovers will discover ad-hoc exhibitions and
transport on the island and is the only double-
Island. Over the course of a century it was
in the nearby Hong Kong Convention Centre
decker tram system in the world still operating.
populated by fishermen and became a thriving
book fairs encourage the city’s budding authors.
From the outside, it looks, more or less, the
district in the centre of the business district.
and
same as it did 100 years ago, a good enough
The names of the narrow lanes and busy
alongside Queen’s Road East, the streets
reason in itself for taking a ride. And tourists
streets are simple and functional. Electric
become more affluent. The first agnès b
are sure to be charmed by its nickname - Ding
Street for example was named after the
Librairie Galerie outside of Paris is situated
Ding Car - a reference to the bell used to warn
power station that was built in 1889 and the
here and is becoming a big player in the art
traffic and pedestrians of their approach. When a
surrounding throroughfares are called Star
scene. Other small galleries and boutiques
beeper replaced the bells in 2000, a public outcry
Street, Sun Street and Moon Street after the
are also opening their doors such as Asia Fine
led to the ‘ding ding’ bells being reintroduced
elements of nature the fishermen relied on.
Art gallery, Goethe Gallery and Kings Gallery.
almost immediately. One of the tram stops in
In 1922 the power station was demolished
While Wan Chai is catering for the creative,
Wan Chai is the Wan Chai market on Johnston
and this sleepy suburb commenced its slow
it is also home to another mosque; the Masjid
Road, complete with a dry goods market. It rubs
evolution
for
Ammar and Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre
shoulders with tiny shops selling all kinds of dried
passionate artists and visionary entrepreneurs.
which opened in 1981. The white façade hides
seafood and providing fresh goods to locals.
Today, the precinct around Star Street is one
its sheer size; spanning eight floors, housing a
Located just a stone throw away is the constant
of 15 sites on the Wan Chai heritage trail and
masjid, a community hall, a library, a medical
reminder that Hong Kong has thorny relationship
has become a quirky community of culture,
clinic, classrooms and offices for over 700 people.
with its historical, crumbling buildings. The three-
creativity and the arts. With an ambience that
While travelling the streets you will notice
story pre-war pawn shop, is one of the most
could be compared to London’s Covent Garden,
that long narrow trams run through the middle
visible and gorgeous last survivors in Hong Kong,
a visitor is greeted by streets lined with stylish
of the congested roads. To really explore
had been left untouched for many years, it was
galleries, chic furniture outlets, cosy cafes
Wan Chai, the best mode of transport is by
turned into a restaurant in 2007. There’s a huge
and flagship restaurants; and the majority of
tram. A truly invigorating experience, to hop
balcony on the second floor and a roof garden
stores were launched by local entrepreneurs.
aboard is to travel back in time, to experience
on the third. If you’re there before midnight,
The smaller lanes of Wan Chai, only five
a journey once enjoyed by literary greats,
the best part is hearing the tram glide by.
into
a
vibrant
destination
Up town towards the Admiralty area
wartime spies and inspiration-seeking artists.
01
010
01 A thriving outdoor market in Wan chai
02
02 - 03 Star Street Precinct, an artistic dining and lifestyle area in Wan Chai
03
LISTINGS SHOP
SLEEP
Lane Crawford www.lanecrawford.com
The Mercer www.themercer.com.hk
Madhouse Contemporary www.madhouse.com.hk
W Hotel www.w-hongkong.com
Goods of Desire www.god.com.hk
The Mira Hotel www.themirahotel.com
I.T. Store www.ithk.com
Madera Hong Kong www.hotelmadera.com.hk
Sin Sin Atelier www.sinsin.com.hk
Langham Place www.langhamplacehotels.com
Harbour City www.harbourcity.com.hk
The Upper House www.upperhouse.com
Shanghai Tang www.shanghaitang.com
Luxe Manor www.theluxemanor.com
Kapok www.ka-pok.com
Tai O Heritage Hotel www.taioheritagehotel.com
Bauhaus www.bauhaus.com.hk
JIA Boutique Hotel www.jplushongkong.com
EAT
Hullett House www.hulletthouse.com
Hutong www.aqua.com.hk
BROWSE
Sevva www.sevva.hk
Wong Tai Sin Temple www.siksikyuen.org.hk
Spice Restaurant www.spice-restaurant.hk
Hong Kong Heritage Museum www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk
Press Room www.thepressroom.com.hk
White Cube www. whitecube.com
Teakha www.teakha.com
Blindspot Gallery www.blindspotgallery.com
Bo Innovation www.boinnovation.com
Saamlung www.saamlung.com
Al Molo www.diningconcepts.com.hk
Asia Fine Art Gallery www.asia-fineart.com
Agnès B Le Pain Grillé www.agnesb-lepaingrille.com
Goethe Gallery www.goethe.de/hongkong
Jashan www.jashan.com.hk
King’s Gallery www.kingsgalleryhk.com
Habibi www.habibi.com.hk
State of the Arts Gallery www.sotagallery.com.hk
www.discoverhongkong.com