We recently went along to the launch of Halo Asia in Hong Kong – their showroom and store on Gough Street is a cosy little nook of a shop which smells deliciously of leather and which has a pleasantly masculine feel, even though the store is lined with the most covetable handbags. The Halo brand started in Manchester, so there’s a real British influence to their work – both obviously through their use of a Union Jack motif on several product ranges, and more subtly in their items for men which have a bit of an English Country Gentleman feel. Halo have actually had a presence in Asia for a while – you will probably recognize their leather armchairs and mirrored chests from stores like Tequila Kola, but opening a shopfront of their own here to showcase their bags is a new departure.
Browsing the collection, we were really pleasantly surprised that despite the beautiful textures, timeless design and quality, the bags are very reasonably priced – around HK$1500 for a beautiful leather handbag and less for a clutch. The look of the pieces is as if being worn and bashed around a bit will only make them more desirable – the leather looks as though it is designed to get scuffed rather than to stay pristine. In fact, Halo love that their bags will develop a bit of the character of their owner as they age. One of the things that is refreshing about the Halo range is that they really are putting the visual emphasis back on the beauty and glow of the leather itself, rather than loading the bags up with glitz and hardware which in the end will date. We loved the white bags in the Halo collection for summer coming up – we’ve got our eyes on several of the styles, including one lovely ruched-leather clutch and a mini bowling bag that is strokeably soft. None of the styles are overly fussy – a little more tomboyish than girly, and begging to be worn by someone like Alexa Chung.
As well as the items for women which we’re of course instinctively drawn to, we’ve definitely made a note to head back to the shop when we have to buy a guy’s gift. Halo’s travel wallets, card holders and carry-on bags are absolutely the perfect present for the man in your life, and will work for anyone who loves a bit of classic masculine style, from your boyfriend to your dad!
Halo have been kind enough to give away a gorgeous Mia Tote bag to one lucky Sassy reader. We think this style will be perfect for summer junk trips and day use around town. To be in with a chance of winning, email [email protected] and tell us what outfit you would wear the Mia Tote with!
Halo
G/F, 17 Gough Street
Central
2559 3021