Club Monaco Opens First Men’s Store in Hong Kong

Club Monaco designer Aaron Levine

Club Monaco designer Aaron Levine

Hong Kong was once known as a mere sartorial stopover. It was where guys could go to get cheaply made suits during long layovers. But as more men became concerned with the details of suiting and traditional tailoring, Hong Kong began to attract a different sort of shopping experience. Big brands such as Zegna, Hugo Boss and Armani began to open stores to cater to the business set not only in Hong Kong, but also visitors from mainland China and around the world. So it’s no surprise that Club Monaco, an emerging player in the world of traditional tailoring, set up their very first men’s-only shop in this burgeoning menswear mecca.

Club Monaco fall collection

Club Monaco fall collection

The Men’s Shop, located in Hong Kong’s quiet Wanchai District, is the first of its kind for Club Monaco, and according to Aaron Levine, the vice president of men’s design for the company, the 600-square-foot, intimate boutique is meant to be the ultimate men’s closet. For the opening, however, Club Monaco transformed the usually sleepy street into a little piece of New York City with a real yellow taxi cab and vendors serving tacos and other street food.

Also involved in the store opening were two of Hong Kong’s menswear tastemakers, including Jun Kung, a local musician and famed drummer along with JJ Acuna, a lifestyle blogger and Hong Kong-based architect.

Club Monaco fall collection

Club Monaco fall collection

Inside the store, shoppers will find a mix of Club Monaco items along with a unique selection of third-party accessories. The majority of the store will feature the latest from Club Monaco’s own line — and the label’s über-popular Made in the USA capsule collection — but about 30 percent of the sales floor will be dedicated to collaborations with labels such as Rancourt & Co., Ernst Alexander, Aether, Goruck and more. There will even be a small area with vintage watches from Rolex, Tag Heuer and Omega curated by watch blog Hodinkee (a Gilt Groupe and Park & Bond favorite).Club Monaco’s signature tailoring and sophisticated preppy staples will be on display, including their GQ-approved lauded fall collection, which features newer punctuated silhouettes.

Levine previously held a position at Thom Browne, so the influence of his experience under Browne is clear to menswear aficionados, but he’s mixed in true American heritage to the new Club Monaco oeuvre that has resonated with everyone from fashion-savvy men and everyday consumers alike.

Club Monaco designer Aaron Levine

Club Monaco designer Aaron Levine

The first Club Monaco store opened in Hong Kong over seven years ago. But following the success of the Made in the USA collection in Canada and the United States, the brand wanted to extend its reach into Asia and other markets, said John Mehas, Chief Executive Officer of Club Monaco. With Hong Kong being the first overseas location to offer the unique Men’s Shop mix, Mehas sees the opportunity to expand the Men’s Shop into the rest of mainland China and other countries throughout Asia.

We may just have to schedule a stopover now.

Photos courtesy Club Monaco

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Author:Christopher Luu for Fashion Trends Daily

Christopher Luu is a Fashion Trends Daily Senior Writer and Menswear Editor.