While I am not a practicing Lolita myself (due to full time work, I can't really "dress up"), I do admit that I appreciate the aesthetics of it.
I was recently on a mission to find a pair of rocking horse shoes, because I think they're really stylish! That is how I found this community, and the following "Hong Kong Shopping Guides". The guides are really dated, but still I wrote down all of the suggested places to shop and attempted to visit them all.
Hong Kong changes really fast. Trends come and go, so a lot of the shops that were suggested are no longer operational.
Here are my findings:
I got the suggested shops from these guides:
http://community.livejournal.com/egl/14056100.html
http://community.livejournal.com/egl/7835847.html
http://community.livejournal.com/egl/14921131.html
http://www.lacarmina.com/blog/2008/01/hong-kong-gothic-lolita-stores-spider-dracula-baby-cupid/
Causeway Bay (CWB)
Sogo - MTR CWB exit D1
No longer carries Super Lovers. I took a swing around the "young ladies fashion" floor #3 and couldn't find anything by Super Lovers. I was unable to located Hangry & Angry either. However, according to their website, Hangry & Angry still exists (Super Lovers gone). They also stock Liz Lisa, Kilara (Hello Kitty items), Heroic Rendezvous (really adorable pastry-like accessories), Mezzo Piano etc.
In Ni Castle - Gone. Their space (33A) is now occupied by a korean fashion import store. Tried to take a picture, but the lady quickly swatted me away.
The mall, Causeway Bay Ginza, consists of just a lower level basement and most of the stores are vacant.
Laforet - This mall is on Lockhart Rd. MTR CWB exit D1, it is beside Island Beverly and directly behind Sogo.
- A&F Collection - Room 147 - Closed.
- Fantasy - Room 277 - still in business and has a website
Overall, this mall is worth going to. You're going to have to search the racks for bits and pieces of clothes, but there are worth while accessory shops and cosmetic shops. There's also a store inside that sell circle lenses. I haven't purchased from that specific location, but I've bought several pairs from their Mongkok branch and they're legit.
Island Beverly - This mall is also on Lockhart Rd. MTR CWB exit D1, it is beside Laforet and directly behind Sogo. The escalator to get into the actual mall is around the corner, facing the intersection/crosswalk opposite of Sogo's main entrance.
There isn't any specific Lolita or Goth or Punk dedicated stores, HOWEVER:
- Peaches and Cream Room 260 - did carry some Emily Temple Cute, Grand Ground, Angel Blue accessories, and Hysteric Glamor stuff.
- There is another store, that was nameless, (it is on the second floor right when you get off the escalator) and they had TONS of Grand Ground clothes and a few Emily Temple Cute dresses. The mannequins on the window are brilliantly decorated with colorful accessories and it dons a super cute Grand Ground dress ($7k!!!) + a fawn head shoulder bag ($2k!!!). I can't believe that dress is $7000, I had to ask her twice just to make sure. And the owner wouldn't let me take a picture of her store.
Tsim Sha Tsui (TST)
Sogo - The Sogo in TST has Liz Lisa, very princessy-girly clothing. They also have a very small Kilara (hello kitty) and some Tokidoki bags/accessories. Sogo TST is significantly smaller than CWB's location.
Spider (branch) - Unfortunately I didn't check this place out, but I did visit the Mongkok location. The owner advises me that Mongkok is her main store, and they carry more items there.
In Ni Castle - Gone.
Ayumie #51 Granville Road - Gone. Replaced by a Tsubasa Masuwaka-esqu type clothing store. Might be worth checking out if you're into the princess-y look.
Cke Shopping Mall - TST MTR exit C1 or E, mall is in between Holiday Inn and Chungking Mansions.
As a foreigner, be careful when traveling around Chungking Mansions because you will be targeted by the many touts/hawkers there. Just look straight ahead, and don't make any eye contact or respond. Even a simple "no thank you", they will still follow you for at least a block. My boyfriend learned this the hard way.
- My Dear Darkside - Sex Pot Revenge's official Chinese distributor and they carry auth. DOUBLE DECKER SHOES!! The downside is that you have to ORDER the shoes from her at the shop. They were $850 HKD/pair. 50% of the price must be paid upon placing the order (as a security measure), and the rest to be paid when they arrive. She will order your size plus an extra pair that's one size up or down (upon request) from your size for you to choose from. She says to expect approx. 2 weeks to deliver.
- Gothic - Also sells gothic lolita / gothic punk clothes and shoes (tuk) but this shop is significantly smaller than My Dear Darkside and doesn't carry accessories.
Harbour City - TST MTR exit A1
This is Hong Kong's biggest mall. This sprawling metropolis will leave you dizzy and confused. Be sure to pick up a map. There are several different wings!
- Shirley Temple - This store is located in the OCEAN TERMINAL side of the mall, close to the Toys'R'us.
- Vivienne Westwood - There are 2 VW stores in this mall. And both of them carry separate styles of Melissa x VW shoes. VW x Melissa's Wing'ed rocking horse platform sandals are sold out in all of Hong Kong.
- Barbie Cosmetic - There's a huge Barbie Cosmetic counter in Lane Crawford.
- Q*pot - super cute and intricate jewelry, must not be missed!
ty
blondedebates for the heads-up - LCX - This is a big variety store, there are some cute accessories in the back of the store. Worth checking out.
- The Jane Marple store someone mentioned isn't in the mall anymore.
- City Super is worth checking out, they carry a lot of Japanese beauty products including all of the Dolly Wink eyelashes, Heroin Make products, B & C, Naris Up, etc.
Mongkok
Mongkok is definitely THE place to go if you only have time to visit one area. Ideally, going to CWB, TST, and Mongkok would make the ultimate shopping trip, but Mongkok's stores have significantly lower prices. Please be advised that Mong Kok's population density is extremely high, according to Guinness World Records, Mong Kok has the highest population density in the world (mean 130,000 per km2 or 340,000 per mi2). Be sure to watch your belongings when shopping around these SUPER crowded malls!!
Spider King Wah Center, 625 Nathan Road East shop #130 - Spider has relocated from their old address. The owner has a sewing machine with her at the store working on all the dresses. Her items looks to be of professional quality.
Dracula - is nowhere to be found. I checked Sino Centre and CTMA. I guess they closed down.
Deadist Faust (s/p) - When I first moved to Hong Kong (4 months ago) I've definitely seen this store in Chic Castle. They used to carry men's goth/ goth-punk clothes and shoes (tuk). When I went back yesterday, they were gone and have been replaced by a handbag store. I asked the shopkeeper if they knew what happened to them, but she says she has no idea and purchased the lot from management when it was already vacant.
Baby Cupid Gala
Notable new additions I've found:
Gala Place - MTR exit E1, 56 Dundas Street, Kowloon.
- My Closet F20A - This store isn't specifically tailored to lolitas, but their clothes are very cutesie and is worth the look. They have some Milk products.
- *no english name* G59-60 - This shop strictly carries Japanese imported goods, mostly by the brands Grand Ground and Emily Temple Cute. They have TONS of Grand Ground clothes and some shoes and also had accessories by Angel Blue, Mezzo Piano, Grand Ground, and Hysteric Glamor. They also carry several styles of "animal" purses by off-brands. The female shopkeeper is very knowledgeable and friendly.
- Evedine F41 - Another princessy store. They have a lot of off-brand frilly lace skirts and tops.
- Faye F37 - Another type of store you're gonna have to dig around in. They said they had *some* occasional Milk items, and *some* Super Lovers stuff.
- Upon Witchee F39 - Off-brand lolita store, no big labels, but they had a lot of really nice pieces that can be loli'd. They had a lot of carebear accessories and plushies, and various other accessory brands. They had these super cute contact lens cases by the brand "Swimmer".
Argyle (Mongkok) Centre - MTR exit D1, 688 Nathan Road, Kowloon.
This mall is literally right across the street from the exit. I guess it was formerly called Mongkok Centre. This mall shares the same ground floor as New Town Mall, they are connected at this level.
- Tin Sum Shoes #134-136 5/F - This shoe shop carries a HUGE variety of Montreal shoes and boots. This is the ONLY store I've found that sells Montreal brand footwear and even had "Angelic Pretty" knockoffs.
- G.L.P (Gothic Lolita & Punk) Exit B, Shop #67 1/F, Argyle Centre
This is the above store that was tipped byartemis051. It is in Argyle Centre on the first floor. It is in a awkward location in the mall, kind of hard to find. You get off the escalator and turn right, it is in a corner next to the wall. You can get to the mall by Exit D2 as well, and this will take you to the entrance of New Town Mall (which is connected at ground level with Argyle Centre). This store specializes in goth, punk and lolita clothes, bags and shoes! Do not miss! Carries a variation of RHS, slighty pointed toe with a bow attached off-side in black or pink. Carries a variety of other shoes as well. - *nameless store* #71 3/F - This store doesn't have a name, and it also has a sister store 1-2 shops down that aisle (also nameless, but carry similar stuff). They had a rack full of Angelic Pretty knockoff dresses, and the "Wonder Cookie Dress" was especially cute! They also had various goth-punk ensembles.
- This mall should not be missed, there are all sorts of clothing stores and accessory booths crammed into this building. You will be sure to find off pieces here and there.
- There are several makeup booths that sell circle lenses. I buy my contacts from this mall, and from my experience, they're legit. All the circle lens stores in this mall use the same flyer, which is why I'm pretty sure they use the same supplier. If they don't have your prescription at one store, just go to another one. Lots of places that sell false lashes, hair extensions, make up etc.
go straigt in the shop and there is the G.L.P shop. thats about the 2nd floor? im not sure, but at the top floor is another lolita shop, but im not sure of the brands. it looked like they had a small collection of all kinds like Kids yoyo.
Sino Centre - MTR exit E2, 582-592 Nathan Road, Kowloon.
I find this mall to be kind of a bust. Clothing stores were very limited; they mainly sell video games, books, comics, magazines, photo graphs of celebrities etc.
- Deco Mania #103 1/F - Only place worth mentioning, and even that, its not really worth going to unless you're in the area. They're a "deco" shop, where you basically bring in your item for them to decorate with various jewels, icons, gems etc. They also have a small clothing rack in the back that carries lacy girlie skirts and Milk products, some handbags too. But honestly, decoration stores are a dime a dozen in HK. So are nail salons/ nail art.
Note: I did not visit Anna House. It's actually quite out of the way, even if it's accessible by MTR. I'm sure they're still in business if you guys are still buying from them...
SO! This is basically it. I'm going to be living in Hong Kong for at least 2 years, so if I find some more stores I will report back!
I ended up buying a couple of items during my adventure:
- A pair of black Montreal rocking horse mary-janes (they had the ribbon ones, and the flat pleather strap ones) I got the pleather strap, and they are super comfy. Walked around in them for 6 hours with no discomfort. The foam platform really does make a difference.
- A chunky Mezzo Piano heart ring
- Grand Ground dress, swatch close-up
- Grand Ground leggings in Grey and Pink
Thanks for reading!
