Bess (Hong Kong)

Shopping in Hong Kong can be an overwhelming experience, regardless of whether you've visited the city before. Luxury flagships, smaller boutiques and retail chains can be found on every street, in various malls and when you least expect it, even office or apartment buildings will house a shop or two. In my quest to find a high street brand that was a bit more local than the countless Mangos or Uniqlos, I stumbled upon a fashion label that stood out from the rest, primarily because it chose to go with a more unique decor than the usual grungy gray or minimal white. Bess (not to be confused with the American punk glam label with the same name) can easily be mistaken for a foreign brand. While the previously featured 2% chose to go with a Japanese vibe, this company decided to tackle a more Western look, resulting in a range of casual chic clothes that would rival any European high street brand.

A few shots from the FW09 lookbook (images: Bess).

A small selection from the FW09 catalog (images: Bess).

Very little is known about the company except for the fact that it was founded in 1993 with the aim of blending elegance with a more urban aesthetic. What I quickly realized while browsing, is that unlike most lower-end labels that seem to have an over-the-top "let's stud, distress, embellish and shred our pieces so it looks totally Balmain meets Alexander Wang"-attitude, is that Bess has decided to keep their range fairly simple. It's not just a refreshing change from the overly trendy pieces you'll find elsewhere, but in choosing to focus on a more subtle style, the items you'll find here won't just look more timeless but also of higher quality, as you won't need to fear the look of cheap lace or sequins falling off your dress.

Part of the store as seen from the front (left), a selection of scarves (top) and a white hoodie next to a vintage sewing machine (right).

The very antique looking cash desk surrounded by memorabilia (left). Racks and racks of clothes (right).

Another part of the store featured a saddle and for those who need a rest, a comfy couch was available too.

The one thing that is typical about Bess is that all their stores are situated in shopping centers. It's a shame because this is the kind of boutique that really would have benefited from a real storefront and natural lighting. The interiors could be described as charming rustic chic: an entire wall shelf filled with vintage looking frames, vases and other items could be found behind a cash desk, fake animal skulls adorned the walls along with whitewashed window shutters, while old suitcases could be found in various corners of the boutique. White brick walls provided the backdrop, giving you the impression you're in an old cottage. The sales area itself was very small and crammed with items, but because I chose to go to a slightly less busy outlet, the various shoppers would enter then leave the area so quickly you never had the feeling it was too cramped.

More chic looks including cardigans with fur collars and jumpers (left). Wall decoration included vintage inspired clocks and white shelves filled with statues (right).

The jewelry cabinet, which displayed fine necklaces and even cosmetics.

Most of the clothing was kept in muted colors of brown, taupe, black and gray - with occasional flashes of red, visible in the tartan shirts - or orange, green and blue as seen on various knits and dresses. Everything was very wearable, but because of the slouchy cut and effortless tailoring, the pieces are more cool than boring. They're also easy to integrate into any wardrobe. Channeling the country romance look? Pick a plaid skirt and a cowboy hat. If you're looking for something a bit more French, you'll find Breton striped tees and fringed scarves. For a grunge style, there are plenty of soft gray cardigans and perfectly faded jeans. What makes it all the more fun to browse, is the fact that every now and then, your gaze will fall upon another cute decor item, whether it's the jewelry cabinet near the entrance, the horse saddle next to a table or the comfy looking sofa in front of the changing rooms.

Faux animal skulls added an interesting touch (left). A subtle floral printed sweater competes with classic tartan (left).

Some country chic gear towards the back (left) and cute changing rooms with the typical white brick walls (right).

And a short note to also take a look at some of their accessories. I spied plenty of soft leather hobo bags, cute clutches and knee high boots. At the time I went, none of the SS10 items were available for viewing yet, but most of what I saw could easily be worn throughout Spring, especially the army jackets and khaki trousers that work well with the upcoming military trend.

Don't forget to accessorize: a nice selection of hats, boots, scarves and bags.

A few khakis to complete the army-inspired look (left) and fake windows decorate a few walls (right).

Because the store is quite small, it won't take too long to browse, though you shouldn't underestimate the amount of clothing Hong Kong stores manage to stuff on their racks and shelves. Staff was very friendly and unlike many other local stores, they won't follow you around like a puppy hoping for a snack (trust me, this can get seriously annoying when shopping in Asia). The pricing is very competitive and comparable to that of other lower-end retail stores like Zara, with the added benefit that what you're getting here will be slightly more unique. There are over a dozen retail outlets around Hong Kong, though I'm not quite sure if their range is available outside the country as well, but this gives you an even better excuse to pick something up if you're ever in town.

More looks from FW09. Click the image to see a less blurry version (images: Bess).

A few of the bags, scarves, hats and boots from FW09 (images: Bess).

Address: Shop P409-410, The World Trade Center, 280 Gloucester Road, Hong Kong
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sun: 10:30-22:30
Bess Homepage