The Printed Times

In Hong Kong during the 1980s and 90s, popular culture was abundant, and a large newsstand could be found on every street corner. That was the window to the world for the day, and also the aesthetic hub of an era. We found inspiration for life within those glossy pages, subtly absorbing the unique temperament that belonged to that time.

From Lau Tin-lan's fashion notes and Edward Chan's columns in 《號外》, to the in-depth interviews in 《明報月刊》, print media opened up the world view for the middle-class white-collar workers. Young people eagerly followed the "City Surprise" section of 《Yes!》, as well as Hong Kong's first officially Japanese-authorized manga magazine, 《EX-am》. 《老夫子》 (Old Master Q) showcased the essence of Chinese life and the various facets of humanity since the 1960s. Female readers had 《姊妹》 magazine for beauty, fashion, and relationship enlightenment; literary youth had publications like 《香港文學》 and 《詩潮》; and trendy individuals held onto 《Amoeba》, helmed by Susie Au, which documented the "daily philosophy" of dressing.

It was precisely because these magazines were so "miscellaneous" (雜)—combining all the popular or new things of the time and presenting them in a lighthearted and enjoyable way—that those "intangible things"—an idea, a music recommendation, a type of culture—were deeply etched into the readers' minds.

We use text to pass on the memory of the "incomparable" images of stars like Leslie Cheung, Anita Mui, and Tina Chow on the magazine pages, as well as the pure joy of turning one or two pages, reading different information, and finding something uniquely their own.

In today's age, dominated by electronic information, the existence of the newsstand is the most gentle tribute to the age of print and an effort to preserve a piece of "collective memory" for the city.

COMPOSITION

80% Combed Cotton, 15% Polyamide, 5% Elastane 

ORIGIN

Designed in Hong Kong, manufactured in Poland