Madame Digests – March 2021

by Aude Camus
 

kapok opens a new store in Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay  

My favourite concept-store in town recently opened its sixth store in Hong Kong, in Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, and with its two storeys, 3,150 square feet and floor to ceiling windows bathing the place with natural light, it is kapok’s largest store ever but also probably my favourite one. Each store focuses on different pillars and, while the one in PMQ aims at highlighting local designers and the store in landmark is all about exploring rarity and craftmanship,  kapok Victoria Park is all about wellness, sustainability and outdoors. The continuity of a long journey started two years ago with the launch of kapok elixirs, kapok’s well being and clean beauty concept offering a sharp selection of clean and conscious beauty brands, kapok Victoria Park aims at presenting customers with a selection of well-designed conscious brands spanning from beauty to fashion and lifestyle. Exclusive brands launching in Hong Kong at this very store include Garbstore, Henrik Vibskov, Suzie Winkle, Tach Clothing, Terre de Mars, Lola James Harper and Wonder Valley.
 
2-4 Kingston Street
https://ka-pok.com/
 

 
Sustainable activewear brand ro/an reframes fitness and wellness through a different lens

Gyms have reopened and God knows I’ve missed my barre classes. Not just because, being such a foodie, I need to workout but also because staying active deeply contributes to my mental wellbeing. I am not looking for that perfect body, the one you see everywhere on social media, I am just looking at feeling good in my own body and mind and this is why the ethos of new activewear brand ro/an – finding joy in movement - resonates with me. Not too mention the beautiful simple design of each set which also have UPF50 and are sweat-wicking. Cherry on the cake, ro/an is working with sustainability in mind with using fabrics made with certified recycled materials and working with a factory in Vietnam that offers fair pay to its workers.
 
Hong Kong Madame loves: the Chia Shine legging (HKD 550) with its adjustable bow detail on the waistband and sculpting shine fabric.
 
https://roanclothing.com/
 
 

The Coffee Academics takes coffee culture to new heights with its new space in Harbour City

Spanning 1,200 square feet in Harbour City and opened in December 2020, the new The Coffee Academics concept takes coffee culture to new heights with bringing together a coffee dispensary - where guests can find a capsule bar, a drip bag bar and a coffee bean bar for on-site roasting and custom blending experience - a retail shop and a dine-in café inspired by nature and the art of camping and serving delicious dishes such as the Croque Madame (HKD 118) or Wagyu Sandos with Black Truffles (HKD 188) that pair perfectly with the delicious in-house coffee blends.
 
To all the coffee lovers out there, the Custom Blend Experience is a great opportunity to create your own coffee blend with a workshop that mixes a questionnaire to determine coffee preferences, tasting and blending.
 
As for me, I’m planning on making the most of the outdoor terrace, sipping my cappuccino in a camping chair.
 
Shop 4201K, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City - Tsim Sha Tsui
https://www.the-coffeeacademics.com/
 
 

My Gourmandises brings an authentic taste of homemade French sweets to Hong Kong

Almond dragees are such a nostalgic treat for anyone who grew up in France. Usually offered at weddings, baptisms or other special occasions, they definitely remind me of my childhood. Maison Pécou, a French manufacturer of such treats since 1880, is now offering its homemade delicacies in Hong Kong through My Gourmandises. Whether you wanna (re)discover the nostalgic taste of almond dragees or are in for a chocolate delight with an almond, hazelnut, fruity, crunchy or liquid heart, you’ll love these terribly regressive little things.
 
Hong Kong Madame loves: the Liquicrocs Orange (HKD 150 for 120g), a tasty acidulous orange heart coated in dark chocolate and a thin crispy sugar skin that reminds us of orangettes.
 
https://mygourmandises.com/
 
 

Shake Shack Hong Kong launches Chick’n Bites

Did I already mentioned that, even though I am usually not a fast-food lover, I have to confess a real love for Shake Shack? I honestly love their burgers, especially the Chick’n Shack, with crispy antibiotic-free chicken breast, and was pretty excited to hear they were launching the Chick’n Bites in Hong Kong. I mean: chicken bites that are cooked sous-vide then breaded in flour, cayenne and paprika before being crisp-friend, resulting in a tender inside and crispy outside little thing? Yes please!
 
HKD 37 for 6 bites / HKD 52 for 10
https://www.shakeshack.com.hk/