Eclectic boutique Apartment 49 will be ‘popping up’ in Central next week. Here’s why you need to check it out
Team-of-two George Lyons and George Woods launched their curated homewares business when they couldn’t find the products that they loved in Hong Kong. Urged on by enthusiastic friends, they now stock a range of diverse goodies from around the world. Their African ‘juju’ wall art pieces went down a storm last season.
Both long-term Hong Kong residents, they juggle Apartment 49 with busy family lives – between them they have six children under the age of 12.
“Having a pop-up in Central is the best,” enthuses Lyons. “It means we get to bring in loads of new stock for customers to see. At the moment, we have a huge range of homewares, statement jewellery” (their fabulous earrings will take you from beach to bar with great style) “handbags, swimwear and pool accessories.”
Of note, Apartment 49 is one of only a handful of Hong Kong-based stores that stock adult rash-vests (they source them from Australian-based Acqua Brand), a must-have when you’re living under an Asian sun – nobody wants to come off a junk imitating the lunch buffet prawns.
And with that number of offspring, the Georges are expert at sourcing gorgeous gifts and kids toys. So if you’ve got birthday parties looming on the horizon, this is your go-to pop-up.
New for this season include all-new homewares, Katie Luxton pouches and jewellery, Kollab shopping and beach bags, Cocolux Onyx candles and a new body and bath range called Bondi Wash. “We’ll also have the latest range of Keep Cup reusable coffee cups in lots of new styles and colours,” says Lyons. “We’re passionate about eliminating single-use plastic.”
“We source our products from all over the place. Let’s face it, it’s never a chore,” admits Woods. “Both Aussies by birth, we do have a soft spot for Australian collections, but we’re basically drawn to small businesses like ourselves. It’s great to be able to support them. My favourite line this season is our new Tribal Artwork from Melbourne-based artist Anna Mulcahey,” she adds.
Lyons, meanwhile, has her eyes firmly on the handcrafted French Laguiole knives.
The Apartment 49 Pop-Up runs from Tuesday March 20 to Saturday March 24, 10am-8pm, and Sunday March 25, 11am-5pm, 33 Wellington Street, Central, apartment49.com.
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