What’s new in Hong Kong this season

Diptyque collaborates with Café Verlet

Diptyque has launched a limited-time collaboration with Café Verlet, the oldest Parisian coffee company still in operation. 

The collaboration sees four exquisite gourmet additions to Diptyque’s Classic Candle collection: Biscuit (Biscuit), Café (Coffee), Chantilly (Whipped Cream) and Fruit Confits (Candied Fruits) available to shop at Hong Kong stores and online until June 3. 

To celebrate the collaboration, Diptyque has launched a limited-time Parisian Café Pop Up at Harbour City. Consumers who shop at the pop-up can enjoy a complimentary handcrafted Diptyque coffee from now until May 2. 
The collection will be available for purchase from April 2nd to June 3rd in Diptyque stores and online via diptyqueparis.com while stocks last.

Kiztopia to open in May 

Singapore’s leading family edutainment brand, Kiztopia, will open its second Hong Kong outlet at Park Central this May. 

Kids can enjoy 13,000 square feet of astro-inspired space with 19 play areas offering innovative challenges, including robotics competition, interactive kinesthetic device, and projection technology. The ‘Mojo Zone’, covering approximately one-third of the playground, introduces two new additions: the exhilarating ‘Speedy Slide’ and the dynamic ‘Volcanic Slide’ and the ‘Occupational Experience Zone’ offers two new professional roles for kids to play and learn in the company of eight original Kiztopia characters. 

For more information follow @kiztopiahk.

Benefit X Preface PORE-tential Arcade Coffee Shop

Benefit Cosmetics has collaborated with tech-enabling brand Preface to open Hong Kong’s first-ever pop-up Arcade Coffee Shop in Central. 

Located near Lan Kwai Fong, Benefit Cosmetics has transformed this minimalist, technology-driven coffee shop into a gaming paradise inspired by Benefit’s latest PORE CARE concept: “Level-Up Your PORES.” Visitors can try their luck with games such as Hydro Pop Catcher,” and “Pac-Derm; the gamer with the highest overall score will receive a complete set of Benefit PORE CARE products. 

Open to the public daily 10am-6pm until May 6, 10am-6pm. 

Preface Coffee & Wine (Central) – The Loop, G/F & UG/F, 33 Wellington Street, Central

Duffy and Friends Play Days at Hong Kong Disneyland

The beloved annual fan festival “Duffy and Friends Play Days” is set to return to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort from March 15 to June 10. Fans from far and wide are invited to immerse themselves in an exclusive Duffy Fans-tasy celebration only at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. 

Fans are invited to share and curate heart-warming moments by joining the first-ever Duffy and Friends “The Joy of Sharing” Show; matching with their favourite fuzzy friends in all-new Springtime outfits at the Duffy and Friends Play House; join CookieAnn’s “Sharing is Sweet” Surprise Moment; enjoy the highly anticipated “StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet”; and pamper themselves with themed treats and goodies.

From April 5 to May 5, fans can witness StellaLou’s dancing dream come true at Disney’s Storybook Theater as she performs with the Hong Kong Ballet in the highly anticipated return of “StellaLou’s Wonderful Wishes Ballet.” 

Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Island

Aesop launches new SPF50 Protective Facial Lotion.

Just in time for the Spring, Aesop has launched its popular new SPF50 Protective Facial Lotion in Hong Kong. 

Part of Aesop’s Sun Care range, Protective Facial Lotion SPF50 offers high-level, broad-spectrum UV protection in a medium-weight lotion ideal for everyday use. It moisturises the skin while guarding against UVA and UVB rays and smells delicious! 

The lotion is suitable for most skin types—particularly ‘normal’ to dry—and has a non-greasy feel. Its hydrating ingredients include Niacinamide and humectant Saccharide Isomerate, while the emollient Tocopherol nourishes the skin. 

Aesop’s Protective Facial Lotion SPF50 is packaged in a 50mL plastic bottle with a pump dispenser and costs $470. 

Introducing the French-Italian all-day dining concept, Bambino

This French-Italian-inspired restaurant opened in December, but we’ve just now gotten around to checking it out and we can’t recommend it highly enough! 

Founded by Frenchman Matthieu Maury, also responsible for the much-loved French bakery and coffee shop FRENCHES, Bambino brings a fresh perspective to Soho’s dining scene with a dynamic all-day concept, a fantastic cocktail and food menu and eclectic music. 

At the helm of Bambino’s culinary voyage is visionary Chef Andy Mast, who hails from the vibrant streets of Dongguan and Shenzhen and, more recently, bustling kitchens of prestigious local establishments like Shady Acres and Honky Tonks. Must-try dishes include the crispy Spinach Fritters & Ricotta Fritters ($110) and the succulent Angus Meat & Potatoes ($250) an Italian-style Pesto Gnocchi ($160) and Ménage À Trois ($90) for dessert, a decadent chocolate cookie crowned with velvety vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with crushed pistachios, and drizzled with salted caramel.

There’s also a captivating classic cocktail menu with an unbeatable Negroni and a selection of 40 exclusive bottles of French and Italian wines, chosen to complement the diverse flavours of the menu. 

Bambino, 45 Peel Street, Soho, Central

Leica releases its SL3 model

German camera manufacturer Leica is known for combining the two worlds of photography and videography to ensure exceptional standards. In exciting news for photographers, the brand has recently released its latest model the Leica SL3 in Hong Kong. The Leica Camera AG has taken the SL- System to a new level. With an optimised design, efficient user interface, and the versatile L-Mount bayonet, the Leica SL3 is a highly modern, intuitive full-frame camera with outstanding image quality. It combines precision, the best materials, and unprecedented manufacturing quality “Made in Germany”. Robust and reliable, it masters every challenge in photo- and videography, setting new standards in terms of user comfort and a seamless professional workflow with extended interfaces, improved connectivity, and useful accessories.

The Leica SL3 is priced at HKD $55,000 and available at all Leica stores and authorised dealers as well as online.