From Petticoat Lane to Pure Yoga, a designer’s 27-year Hong Kong odyssey
Anyone who’s been in Hong Kong a while has probably eaten, drunk or stretched at an Elaine Jamieson property. The commercial designer talks about how she got her start, her style, and working with her craftsman brother
How would you describe your style? “Contemporary, clean, elegant, tactile and a little quirky. Examples include our Infinite restaurant project at the Legend Palace Hotel, Macau, and La Saison by Jacques Barnachon, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Our work is very detailed and while we like to create an impact, the users’ delight and comfort are equally important.”
Nichole Garnaut, the CEO of the 97 Group [a bar and restaurant group in Hong Kong] was looking for a designer to work on a new bar called Petticoat Lane [in Tun Wo Lane, Central].
“It was a huge success and led to three more venues in the same lane. As a result I started my own studio. Since then we have worked with most of the large restaurant groups, including Cafe Deco Group, the Lan Kwai Fong Group, Epicurean Group and Maxims.”
What are you currently working on? “Pure Fitness’ new Singapore location will be completed in early December and features amazing pyramidical concrete ceilings. We are also designing a hotel and restaurant in Russia and a new design-led hostel in Beijing. We have just completed drawings for the renovation of Pure Fitness at Hong Kong’s IFC.”
