Goods of Desire / G.O.D.

Looking to kill some time before an event last week, I popped into Goods of Desire to take a look around.
Whoa — what a cool little shop! This smartly-​curated boutique is filled with all kinds of wares and trinkets… from niche books to hipster t-​shirts and eclectic housewares to funky scarves, G.O.D stocks a wide variety of potential gifts and souvenirs.
On this particular day, I was in search of a new umbrella as it was misting outside and I had left mine at a restaurant the previous week. The worst! Conveniently, there’s two different sizes of umbrellas to choose from, each featuring a unique pattern. They may cost more than a typical umbrella, but I’m excited to show off the beautiful traditional Chinese print next time it rains.
I also noticed a gorgeous tunic with a Mandarin collar as I was completing my purchase! Guess I now have incentive to soon return.

Totally cute/​funky/​fun store. If you are familiar with Kitson in California, or I am familiar with the one in Las Vegas, it kind of has that feel… with less retail stock.
Loads of funky t-​shirts, clothing, footwear on the first floor and funky housewares on the second floor (everything from bedding to shower curtains to cutlery to dishes). Not a huge store, but big enough to get a feel of all they have to offer without being too crammed. This place seemed great and fit our artistic, design driven creative side. It was just fun to poke around and explore.
We would absolutely go back. It is in the choas of Central, but other than that one negative element, I thought this store was great.

One of the coolest trendy shops across Hong Kong riddled with neat trinkets and souvenirs. I bought some of their limited edition shirts, key chains and couple other knick nacks for some friends back and all I got to say it’s all great quality. A tad pricey but I love it.
Note: For some reason they have a strong pension for Bill Withers, every shop I go they never cease to have one of his tracks on. I’m not just talking about Ain’t No Sunshine on loop, they must have the whole friggin catalog. Which to be honest, is actually pretty damn cool.

In need to search for the obligatory holiday souvenirs, I headed over to G.O.D. (Goods of Desire) for a peruse of their offerings as I’d read they were stockists of some quirky and good quality products.
Proudly flying the flag of Hong Kong, they have a very wide range of items such as books, clothing and accessories (on the ground floor), table & kitchenware, soft furnishings, greetings cards, stationery and picture frames (on the first floor). It also acts as an art gallery so you can appreciate some local exhibits whilst you shop.
I ended up coming back here twice during my trip, as I struggled to find gifts that weren’t either majorly expensive or so cheap and commonplace that I could buy them from China Town back in Manchester.
The staff are friendly and just let you amble through the racks and shelves without bothering you. I left having purchased a few of their rice bowls and a cool picture frame and was pleasantly surprised with the prices.
Definitely somewhere to bookmark for a visit if you’re on Hollywood Road in Central.

My all-​time favourite local brand blends Hong Kong casual style in a sarcastic humour with high quality. I have been a loyal for using their bedding for a few years. It is not only fun of the mailbox drawings/​district names but truly the durable comfy texture of the linen. And those gifts for my friends, e.g. the tattoo silk arm mask received all the compliments from that office!
I have to say it is a bit over priced for the production itself. I am more paying for the design each time. Douglas Young as the owner, advocates to conserve local culture, heritage and street scenes. 100% nostalgia, bingo! The tone remains black and red (anything to do with Double Happiness??) which can be linked with its black humor. Not sure if it is original, but I heard ‘De lay no more’ (ask your cantonese friends what it means) initially starts from Goods of Design.
The red, white and blue plastic bag pattern has been widely developed into purse, bottles… And the old style newspaper advertisement pattern is a blast. The un-​envely painted ink in a rectangular box popping out with hilarious information or description. It recalls how ridiculous the conventional lifestyle or advertising is. Though it makes you miss it more! They also know you love Mahjong. They did establish a handbook to teach you how to play Mahjong. Man it is totally your fault if you fails that.
BTW, they sell Havaianas here, women, men and kids. Have not experienced their fashion collection. Just by touching the fabric, you know it that kind of ‘second-​skin’.

G.O.D. (or Goods Of Desire to give it its full name) is a clothing and home-​wares store that specialises in Hong Kong designs and cultural tchotchkes. It’s moderately pricey, but not as much as Shanghai Tang, but it does sell some very unique pieces that you can only get here in HK.
Their range includes such delights as; proper furniture (think somewhere between Ikea and Habitat), double happiness plates, bowls and chopsticks, «Delay No More» T-​shirts (ask a Hong Konger if you don’t get it), art photos of planes landing into Kai Tak, charm bracelets with mini dim sums and lanterns, the list goes on.
What I like the most is the uniqueness of the products they sell in store. It really is only available in HK. Sure, when I buy presents for Mrs L, I go to Shanghai Tang and smash some wedge on the best silk scarves, but if I’m buying Crimbo gifts for the family, I’ll head to G.O.D. If it’s a cousin I don’t really like, I’ll head to Ladies Market.
Another thing they do well is their greeting cards and postcards. They are all blank and feature some quirky scenes from HK now and then. Get yourself a handful, and never be short of a birthday card for a mate, or a thank you card for the boss ever again.
It’s a popular store in HK, so even the tourists know about it. So popular in fact, that I think everyone of my friends has the coaster set of old HK buildings. If you are visiting from overseas, or a local planning a trip home, you would do well to get a few souvenirs from G.O.D. There are a few stores around HK, so check out their website for more details.