Background
KOU, the unique lifestyle boutique, offers a ritzy new shopping concept in Hong Kong. Styled after a luxury mansion in the heart of Central, KOU is the brainchild of lifestyle guru and interior designer Lu Kou.
Promising a "sensational and glamorous new shopping experience" of innovative ideas for interior design, home décor and personal style, the 5,000 square foot duplex penthouse boutique on the 22nd Floor of Fung House, 19-20 Connaught Road, opened its door in mid-June.
Complemented by sweeping views of the harbour, KOU is designed after a chic and stylish "mansion" with an exquisitely furnished lounge, dining room, contemporary kitchen, outdoor patio with a marquee and sensational inner staircase leading down to the library, study, dressing room, and bedroom with en suite bath -- except everything from floor to ceiling is for sale, from antiques, artworks and furniture to a fashion line of clothes and affordable unique ornaments.
All of KOU's products are of the highest quality, whether custom-made by Lu or specially selected from the cream of the world's household designers.
Crystal glassware is handpicked from Belgium and France, and exquisite cutlery is from Thiers, the 'capital of cutlery'. An extensive selection of Chinese tableware also includes KOU's own line of jade items.Outdoor furniture is by Kettal, the most renowned label in Spain. Luxury books are from Taschen. Persian rugs are from Isfahan and Beluchi tribes. Exotic accessories and daring lingerie is by Tina Barratt of France, in a design collaboration with Lu Kou. Chantal Thomass' chicly provocative yet lingerie selections are sensual and elegant. Candles and home fragrances are by Vie Luxe, a label popular with Hollywood stars, and the pouring champagne is Krug, rated by connoisseurs as the world's finest.
In addition to the Chinese tableware, Asian items featured at Kou include a line of contemporary furniture produced in Thailand, a complete fashion line of luxurious Oriental loungewear designed by Lu Kou and unique homeware items from Bali, Thailand and China.
Among antiques on sale are 19th century French chandeliers, tables, screens and cupboards. Antique accessories and handbags have also been hand-selected by Lu Kou from around the world, especially Britain and France.
A selection of works by famous and recently discovered, local and international artists are periodically exhibited at KOU. Changing regularly, the art works stay on for sale once the exhibition ends.
All items at KOU are Ms Kou's personal choices, as are chic fashion selections that change with every season.
With the extensive selection of lifestyle items KOU is also fast becoming the store of choice for wedding gift registries and has received great interest from wedding planners.
With the opening of KOU, just steps away from The Landmark, Lu Kou combines her talents for innovative interior design concepts with insights into the global fashion industry gained while in top management positions at some of the world's leading luxury fashion brands, including Joyce, Swank and Escada Asia.
She established her own lifestyle consultancy KouConcept five years ago - and expert Lifestyle Consultants are part of the KOU store concept to offer customers interior design ideas and fashion suggestions. Special 'Ladies Lunches', Wine Seminars and Cigar evenings for men – complete with more lashings of vintage Krug – is also a art of the boutique's social calendar showcasing their ever changing range of products and quality service offerings.
Lu Kou's full service interior design and personal styling consultancy, KouConcept, which has designed the homes of Hong Kong socialites and business professionals, also operates from the new boutique.
"Creating harmony in your lifestyle is the essence of our philosophy. Every detail of your lifestyle should reveal a passion, an experience, and a sense of style," says Lu Kou.
"With KOU, we have handpicked only the very best of fashion and homeware items from around the world, things that truly express style and individuality."
"Her passion and drive for pursuing the ultimate quality has impressed me very much. Her insistence in further fine-tuning the creative ideas has successfully delivered the result which was better than expected."