LANE CRAWFORD IS 170

To mark Lane Crawford’s 170th anniversary, a handful of treasured friends and members of our community share their favourite memories from throughout the years.

“I remember my first experience with Lane Crawford. It was almost 29 years ago, when I was still in high school. I was only window shopping as I couldn't afford anything from the store back then. I have always admired the way Lane Crawford does everything. Over the years, we’ve had lots of people visiting Hong Kong from all over the world— every type of creative person from designers and musicians to DJs and actors. We always take them to Lane Crawford, and I believe many creatives around the world have found inspiration during their visit over the decades! Personally, my favourite section will always be shoes. One of my favourite memories is when we (hip hop group 24HERBS) performed in the sneaker area, and when Handsome Factory Barbershop had a pop-up that became permanent at Lane Crawford ifc mall. We also held our 8FIVE2 20th anniversary pre-party at Lane Crawford and so many people came down to show support and love. Lane Crawford has always been a local business, and we’ve been proud to say that it is made in Hong Kong, for the people. I never thought I would be working with them!”

– J Brian Siswojo, Co-Owner, Handsome Factory and Founder, 8FIVE2

“I remember the year exactly. It was the spring of 1997, I had just moved to Hong Kong and started Tibi. I was living at the Conrad at the time and Lane Crawford was right there in Pacific Place. I would visit a few times a week. I always set mini goals for myself when starting Tibi, and my first goal was to sell at a place like Lane Crawford. When my first collection arrived, I was featured in an article in the South China Morning Post. Sarah Rutson called me to come in and show her the line. I remember she was wearing an orange A-line cotton dress with a plunging neckline from Catherine Malandrino. She was looking for new young designers and she picked up the line straight away. I was over the moon.”

– Amy Smilovic, Founder, Tibi

“Growing up in Hong Kong in the 90s meant trips to Lane Crawford with my mum. It was the place to go when she needed something nice for occasions and celebratory events, to spoil herself, and to browse for gifts for my dad's birthday or Father's Day. My younger brother and I would be impatiently rolling around the seating fixtures, playing on our coloured Game Boys, waiting for what felt like hours. I always remember my mum had a lighter, happier mood when she left. So much so, she’d spoil us with the ice-cream or a trip to Toys “R” Us downstairs while happily swinging her Lane Crawford bag. It was seven years ago when I had a similar experience for myself. When I started getting my own pay cheques after college, I bought a Céline Trapeze for myself, by myself, at full price, at Lane Crawford. This gave me a sense of accomplishment and progress.”

– Jessica Fong, Co-Founder, Common Farms

“To me, walking into a Lane Crawford store is always an opportunity to create an experience to remember, from admiring all the beautiful shoes on display as a kid, to seeing my own label Yunotme's headpieces on mannequins and working on social initiatives with LUXARITY. One of the most impressive visual displays was one for Chinese New Year last year. It was an installation conceptualised by Johanna Ho, composed of thousands of flower cutouts from old Lane Crawford bags and made possible by ladies in Sham Shui Po. I loved it.”

– Gloria Yu, Designer, Content Creator and Sustainability Advocate

“One of our fondest memories from the time we have worked together with Lane Crawford is when we were invited to be judges for the Lane Crawford Creative Callout in Shanghai in 2017. Being past Creative Callout winners, it was really interesting to be on the other side of the judging panel. We learnt so much from being part of the judging team, with so many different insights and creative perspectives. It was a really fun and memorable experience!”

– Fiona Lau and Kain Picken, Creative Directors, FFIXXED STUDIOS