Stylish, relaxed and radiating an enviable glow, Aussie designer Kaitie is the founder of ethical online retail sensation The Slow Mode, which reps a hand-picked edit of sustainable fashion, home and beauty brands.
A long time Asia-pat Kaitie is also the go-to for tips on how to beat the stress of city living – here she shares reccos on how and where to slow down in Hong Kong.
Where does your conscious approach to retail stem from?
Now is the time for everyone to be asking, who made this, where was it made; is the brand supporting a local community of artisans? Conscious consumerism isn’t a fad or trend, it’s essential for our children and the world they will be growing up in.
Where do you find inspiration?
I love finding new and undiscovered brands from around the world and Instagram is the best place to do that. I have a few fave fashion bloggers that I follow for style inspiration such as @sincerelyjules and @matildadjerf
What can shoppers expect from the Slow Mode over the coming months?
More beautiful, slowly-made fashion, bags, beauty, homewares, shoes and jewellery online. I’ll also be rolling out the full Wellness Guides – talking with wellness warriors that I’ve connected with, whose personal stories have an important message to share on healing and happiness.
What do you love about Hong Kong’s lifestyle?
The energy of the people, the can-do attitude, the pace, the mix of city lights and deep-green mountains all rolled into my daily view as I walk around my area.
What do you loathe?
Pollution
How do you shut out the noise and wind down?
Meditation twice a day (20 mins each time); infusing a mix of essential oils in my study and home; grounding with walks and yoga around trees.
Where do you go for sustainable, conscious cuisine?
Bindaas does (surprisingly) clean Indian dishes very well. I love the matcha and brekkie selection at Grassroots Pantry and salt-crusted seabass at Chachawan. Café Gray has a new vegan menu that is pretty good and RED at IFC has quite a few good vegan options too. And of course MANA.
What will most surprise first-time visitors to the region?
It’s not all skyscrapers – 40 percent of the Hong Kong territory is actually country park and nature reserve.
What to wear when in HK?
Summer: linen dresses and raffia slides.
Winter: vintage jeans, heels, blazers and Moroccan pouches made from upcycled Moroccan rugs and pillows.
Name a secret or lesser-known place in HK?
Bite Unite in Wan Chai is just around the corner from my home studio. It’s gorgeous with a cool cafe and workspace, which can be rented as a private kitchen and for taste testing and food product launches.
Favourite mini break destination from HK and why?
Bali. Always. I instantly feel on holiday when I land in Bali. There is a beautiful spirituality to the place and the people, and nowhere in Asia comes close to the level of cafes offering the most amazing healthy ‘clean’ food. Yoga and massages in your private villa, then sundown drinks watching the most beautiful sunsets on the beach
For more insider tips on Hong Kong, get your mitts on a LUXE Hong Kong guide…
