We’re not just in Hong Kong to eat chicken joints and play shuttlecock with the locals. Believe it or not, we actually make apparel for a living, and you’re looking at ground zero for clothing manufacturing here in the Sham Shui Po district of Hong Kong.

This neighborhood is known for the open fabric market that acts as the sourcing hub for fashion designers from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a camo twill, perforated patent leather, or wet nylon, these shops have it all.

Here we’re running through poplins to source a proper weight and color material for possible Spring/Summer 2010 pieces. Poplin is woven with a basic natural cotton, but also semi-synthetic rayon and silk to provide a softer hand-feel and slight sheen. Basically, its purpose is to hold its form and structure, while still being cool and comfortable. A good idea for a short-sleeve woven, let’s just say.

B-rad is cool and comfortable. Hand-feel, maybe not so soft.

Sham Shui Po is also surrounded with a flea market of sorts. A sea of vendors who are peddling specialized collections, everything from used kitchenware to Japanese porn to power drills. One man’s trash is another man’s .. trash.

by bobbyhundreds