Since 1963, lifestyle brand Ben Sherman has influenced generations of fashion fans and emerged as a mainstay of British and global popular culture.
The first Ben Sherman store in Hong Kong celebrated its grand opening on the fifth floor of Times Square in Causeway Bay with a star-studded rock 'n' roll fashion show in front of a crowd of media and industry VIPs.
The brand took advantage of the occasion to launch its Spring/ Summer 2008 Collection, which features the famous Ben Sherman trademarks of quality tailoring and attention to detail along with the attitude that inspired some of the world's best rock bands, and launched a thousand more.
The Spring/ Summer 2008 Collection, themed "Decades" in reference to the brand's inextricable link with 45 years of influential British music and style, focuses on the three distinctive looks of "The Original Brighton Mods," "Punk with a Ska Twist" and "Britpop."
True to Ben Sherman's love for local music, Hong Kong rock stars Ryan Hui and Kubert Leung provided the music for the occasion with roof-raising performances.
Pop stars and Ben Sherman fans Ken Hung and Sherman Chung, as well as a host of gorgeous models, also showed off the Collection to the delight of the crowd during a fashion show that was capped off with a revved-up appearance by Sherman.
Offering a full range of Ben Sherman apparel and accessories, the Times Square store features the brand's classic "Mods in the Mansion" theme, referring to the style that became a calling card for '60s British fashion that remains relevant, around the world.
James Bettle, Director Asia Pacific of Ben Sherman said, "Hong Kong is one of the most fashion-forward cities in Asia and the world, and it was very important that we established a presence here.
Ben Sherman is enjoying a period of expansion and growing fashion influence, and we are thrilled to have our first standalone store in Hong Kong to showcase what the brand-and really, what some of the last 45 years of rock 'n' roll history-are all about."
Kubert Leung, Kolor, Climax and Ryan Hui set the tone for the grand opening celebrations with a brilliant opening set. Then, following a speech by James Bettle, Leung and Hui cranked it up once more as the models hit the catwalk to show off the latest Ben Sherman menswear, womenswear and accessories.
For the men's Spring/ Summer Collection, highlights include iconic slim- lapel blazers, signature Harrington jackets, super-slim shirt collars and the ultimate skinny jean.
Womenswear epitomises the mood of Ska with sharp, clean tailoring and slim, clean silhouettes, skinny trousers and festival summer dresses with floral print to reflect the carefree attitude of the era.
Finishing off the fashion show with a flourish was Kathy Tong, who drove onstage straddling a vintage Vespa scooter and wearing one of the latest Ben Sherman outfits.
With a raise of the glass, James Bettle, guest musicians and audience all heralded a new era in Hong Kong with the arrival of the British fashion icon.
