Petit Bazaar is Hong Kong's best new shop for kids
Petit Bazaar is a lesson in raising chic children. The newly-opened kids' boutique sells clothes, toys and home furnishing for children, all dripping with good taste and intelligent design. A walk-through the two-story boutique, oggling the various stylish displays, is a visually and mentally stimulating exercise for both mom and child.
The owner is French mom Marguess Sousi who realized that "all the nice things for children" that she was used to buying in France were unavailable in Hong Kong, so after living here for 6 years, she decided to open her own shop for children. A typical tai-tai-to-small-business-owner story in Hong Kong.
This particular tai tai has funky tastes and is Internet savvy -- she has stocked her boutique with many small indie European brands that she discovered almost entirely through the blogosphere.
"I love to find out about people through their blogs," says Sousi. "I not only love the things that I can buy but the people behind the things as well. Every one of the bloggers have their own philosophy about the things that they make."
Profound playthings
One of these philosophy-driven brands is ah, quel plaisir, a one-woman brand by Belgium-born, Caroline Halusiak who crafts quirky toys, cushions and various knick knacks for kids all with her own hands. "I am very proud to have this brand," says Sousi. "She can only take very small orders since she makes everything herself. It is difficult to stock her."
Sousi's own philosophy for Petit Bazaar is simply to bring to Hong Kong some quality things with that touch of magical "French chic."
"I want to fulfill my vision of a room for kids. It is very French," says Sousi. "The spirit of Petit Bazaar is to find nice things that are original and different. These brands are respectful of people and the environment."
Sousi admits that many fair trade or organic goods are "not very nice," so she has to look hard to find products that are both good for society as well as good to look at. Petit Bazaar is filled with just such idealistic products for kids.
Petit Bazaar, 9 Gough Street, Central petitbazaar.canalblog.com
