“To me, an urban explorer is someone who steps outside of their daily routine to experience the daily life of other locals and truly see life through their own lens on a day-to-day basis. It is not so much about seeing all the tourist attractions; Rather, urban exploration is letting travellers experience what it is like to live like a local – from waking up in the morning to grabbing breakfast at a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café) to indulging in a simple yet delicious meal at a dai pai dong (open-air food stall). These authentic experiences are invaluable.”

Fifth-Generation Descendant of Leung So Kee

Our Urban Explorer

Could you please introduce yourself to our guests?

My name is Kiki and I am the fifth-generation descendant of Leung So Kee umbrella factory.

As the fifth-generation descendant of Leung So Kee Umbrella Factory, a store specialising in hand-made umbrellas since 1885, can you tell us how and when you started helping with the family business?

In the midst of COVID, the Hong Kong retail market was struggling so I started a website so that people can order our umbrellas from their homes without having to go out. From there, I started running our social media like Instagram and Facebook to increase exposure to our brand. At the time, I was still working full-time at another job so I had a lot on my plate so I decided to quit my job to help the family business full-time.

Why do you feel it is important to continue on the legacy of Leung So Kee?

Growing up, I witnessed my parents work so hard to build the brand to where it is today so I treasure it a lot. If one day they choose not to run it anymore, there is no one else who will do it and the brand will be forgotten. Hence, I think it is so important for my brother and I to pass on this legacy for future generations to come.

What does “Urban Explorer” mean to you and how do you think you fit into this term?

To me, an urban explorer is someone who steps outside of their daily routine to experience the daily life of other locals and truly see life through their own lens on a day-to-day basis. It is not so much about seeing all the tourist attractions; Rather, urban exploration is letting travellers experience what it is like to live like a local – from waking up in the morning to grabbing breakfast at a cha chaan teng (Hong Kong-style café) to indulging in a simple yet delicious meal at a dai pai dong (open-air food stall). These authentic experiences are invaluable.

Rain, Rain Come Again Another Day

Are you proud that your brand has been one of the longest-standing local brands in the city?

Certainly! I am always proud that our umbrellas are made in Hong Kong. That said, I am constantly thinking about how we can sustain and evolve the brand so that the new generation will still be able to resonate with us.

How do you think the brand represents Hong Kong?

Our brand has gone through so many challenges together with Hong Kong – from Covid, SARS, and the financial crisis to the drought in the 1960’s. So having survived through all these challenges, I think our brand represents not only the beautiful parts of Hong Kong but its struggles as well.

Where does your inspiration for each pattern come from?

We offer an array of designs, fabrics, and coatings that our customers can choose from. There are some signature patterns that have been around for many years that sell very well, but in addition to this, we release new designs that we hope will excite our customers. From time to time, we also release limited edition collections to share with our beloved customers. For instance, my brother loves to sketch so we took several of his art pieces and created a collection of umbrellas with his print that were sold, where a portion of the proceeds were donated to the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association.

How do you think Leung So Kee differentiates itself from other umbrella brands currently out there?

What makes our umbrellas so special is that each one is crafted and assembled by hand, which guarantees the quality of our umbrellas. We also do a lot of customisation so customers can choose the fabric and pattern they like and we can custom make it for them. In addition to this, we also provide a lifetime warranty of umbrella frames for all our umbrellas so if it breaks during a heavy rainstorm, you can come back, and we will fix it for you for free. To us, it is really about caring for our customers and providing them with added value for their purchase. So essentially, that is how we differentiate ourselves from other brands out there.

How do you think the umbrella manufacturing industry has changed over the years since its opening in 1885?

The umbrella manufacturing industry has certainly become much more competitive over the years due to the rise of mass production, and the availability of so many more brands and styles out there. That said, we believe we have our own competitive edge and story that we want to continue telling.

What do you love most about your job?

My favourite part of the job is working with customers that really love our brand and that have grown up with Leung So Kee. Since my role is customer-facing, I often hear incredible stories from our loyal customers about how they have used our umbrellas since they were young. This brings me immense joy!

Has there been any challenges navigating the family business when you have to balance new ideas with your father’s way of doing things?

Yes, of course. I always have so many creative ideas floating around to make the brand more relevant or streamline our business model to make it more efficient. However, my parents have been in the business for much longer and have their own perspectives and ways of running the business. I really appreciate that they are slowly opening up their minds to new ideas like our umbrella workshop that we have started hosting for those who want to learn how to make their own umbrella.

Exploring The City

How often do you travel?

My next trip will actually be to Europe, so I am very excited about it! Prior to COVID, I would travel around 4 times a year where I would take small trips to Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. Living in Asia allows you the luxury of whisking away for a few days to another country for a long weekend!

So where does your inspiration for travel come from?

For me, I definitely use Instagram as a form of inspiration when it comes to my travels – from where to stay and which sight-sees to visit to what to eat and drink.

What other destinations are on your bucket list?

I would love to visit Santorini, Greece because it is absolutely beautiful and so romantic. I also really love the culture and gastronomy in Korea and Japan so I definitely want to visit again. Each time I visit, there is something new to explore because these cities are constantly changing!

In 3 words, how would you describe Hong Kong?

Beautiful, Adaptable, Fast-paced

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