Ever since the plans for Hong Kong’s most exciting new development were revealed, the MoMa Design Store has been one of the most highly anticipated openings. MoMa (The Museum of Modern Art, New York City) is arguably one of the most culturally significant institutions in the world, holding over 100,000 pieces of visual artwork as well as countless films, photographic images and outstandingly in-depth publications to contextualize all of their exhibitions. In addition to holding some of the biggest names in the art world in their archives, their stores are a place to purchase design products of the same high caliber. Being well known worldwide as being at the height of design and style, the very first opening in Hong Kong couldn’t be more welcomed. It is so much more than a regular shop, here are six reasons you won’t be able to resist loving this store!
Exclusive pieces you can’t get anywhere else
Everyone wants a statement piece that no one else has. Well, at the MoMa Design Store, that is exactly what you get! Exclusive to Hong Kong and limited edition products means you could be one of a few people in the world to own any of the pieces you buy there. It makes each piece seem just that little more special. One of our favorite Hong Kong exclusives at the minute is the Heng Balance Lamp by local Guangdong based designer, Zanwen Li. Its sleek and beautiful design would fit well in any home, using both natural materials and contemporary design. ‘Heng’ means balance in Chinese, and this piece is a perfect balance of innovative technology with traditional craftsmanship.
It’s so big you could get lost in it!
Not only is Hong Kong lucky enough to have a MoMa Design store open at all, but Hong Kong is also home to the largest store in the whole of Asia and that’s counting both the stores in Tokyo and Kyoto! At a whopping 6,000 square feet, you can spend a whole day looking around the magnitude of beautiful objects and designs–all carefully curated so stylishly it seems like a museum in itself. Being the biggest store in the whole of the continent, we are sure people will be traveling far and wide to see the space for themselves. Luckily, we have it right here on our doorstep!
You know you will always get ‘Good Design’
With countless online sites and startups fighting for your attention insisting that their products are the most stylish, the most sustainable and the most impressive, making any purchase can be overwhelming and you don’t often feel 100% assured on quality. The creative geniuses over at MoMa have ensured that they know exactly what is ‘Good Design’ for almost a hundred years when the museum became the first in the world to create a whole department completely dedicated to Architecture & Design all the way back in 1932. Ever since, they are devoted to promoting an ethos of ‘Good Design’ through their exhibitions and stores. With all that research and expertise going into each MoMa setting, you can be assured that every single object is a piece of ‘Good Design’–no pop-up ads necessary!
It’s much more than just a store
While you can, of course, go to the MoMa Design Store and enjoy gazing at all the beautiful objects, the store is so much more than just that! It was conceptualized and designed in collaboration with Hong Kong’s award-winning studio EDGE Design Institute. They have won awards for innovative multidisciplinary design ever since it was first founded by Gary Chang back in 1994 so it is no surprise that the store’s concept and design is a feature in itself. A pioneering mix of local tradition and the MoMa brand, the whole store has a balance between tradition and modernity that is invigorating. The use of typical Hong Kong materials like bamboo and galvanized zinc, mah-jong tables, and a contemporary dim sum trolley display are the little touches that make the Hong Kong store that little bit more unique and a much more interesting place to hang out. How many quirky features will you see?
You get to contribute to the art world
If you care at all about the art world, then this added extra will make you love the store even more than you already do! Money from each sale goes toward the MoMA foundation, which is committed to establishing, preserving, and documenting a permanent collection of the highest order artworks along with educational programs, a library, archives, a conservation laboratory among many more. A contribution to MoMA goes toward art getting the recognition it deserves–which is never be a bad thing!
Learn while you shop
So often, seeing something beautiful will make you wonder–where did it come from? Who designed it? Why did they design it? What is it made of? Traditionally design stores will give you the name of the designer, name of the materials and the tale ends there. For those of you who yearn to know more, the MoMA Design Store will not disappoint. The store has highly trained MoMA Design Store ambassadors who will be able to give you intimate details and design stories behind each and every object in the store. Should you want to know more, they are also able to explain what makes something of ‘Good Design’–meaning you’ll be able to apply the principles to everything you buy in or out of the store! There’s also the publication area (image above) where you can take one of the countless MoMA publications of which there are hundreds about many–if not all–of their past exhibitions! Grab a copy that intrigues you, kick back and relax in some peace and quiet. What better way to spend an afternoon than with Picasso or Magritte?
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MoMA Design Store: 1F, 135 K11 Musea, 18, Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, www.k11musea.com
