4 Hong Kong brands making it big overseas: how Casetify, Edison Chen’s Clot, Lane Eight sneakers and Unspun jeans are going global
- Edison Chen’s streetwear label Clot, part of his Juice retail platform, has collaborated with Nike, Rimowa and Sacai and has outlets in China, LA and Honolulu
- Casetify is another successful brand many assume is from the US, Unspun has outlets in the US and Europe while Lane Eight ships to America
While Hong Kong has always been a magnet for international brands trying to make a mark on the city’s competitive and – until recently – vibrant retail scene, it has struggled to build home-grown companies that have successfully expanded overseas.
For fashion businesses based in Hong Kong, the city gives access to a very developed market that can serve as a testing ground for future expansion.
The coronavirus pandemic and, before that, a series of anti-government protests have taken a toll on Hong Kong’s retail sector but it is still one of the best in the world, thanks in no small part to a knowledgeable and savvy customer base.
Those who want to scale their business and sustain growth, however, know that there’s only so much they can achieve locally.
In recent years, a number of companies have made international expansion a priority and, with some fits and starts, have mostly succeeded in their efforts. Here are four of them.
