Mark Cho and Alan See at The Armoury's party on October 21 (Photo: courtesy of Phillips)
Cover Mark Cho and Alan See at The Armoury's party on October 21 (Photo: courtesy of Phillips)

The Armoury, Hong Kong’s men's lifestyle brand synonymous with craftsmanship and tailored elegance, has introduced a new retail concept on the fifth floor of the iconic Pedder Building

Founded in 2010 by Mark Cho and Alan See, this new and exclusive space promises to redefine the luxury shopping experience for discerning gentlemen—complete with shops, an art gallery, a bar and café.

The duo held The Armoury’s grand opening event on October 21, which was attended by more than 500 guests who were able to tour the meticulously curated space designed by Katherine Wong, and preview collections by menswear brands such as Drumohr, Nigel Cabourn and Drapers within the newly opened Pedder Arcade. The aroma of fine cigars wafted through the air, enticing visitors to the beautifully designed cigar lounge. Meanwhile, The Study is the perfect spot where connoisseurs could indulge in moments of relaxation and conversation.

Also, Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo, a luxury watch department of Phillips auction house, created Phillips Perpetual, a new destination where guests were able to look at timepieces on display or browse them for immediate purchase. Later, an auction that had party-goers digging deep into their pockets to snatch up works by artist Gabriel Lau, a Hong Kong artist who makes cardboard versions of high-end Swiss timepieces, served as a testament to The Armoury’s commitment to fostering a culture that intertwines art, style, and craftsmanship.

The evening's festivities were elevated by a touching speech by Cho, who shared his vision for the brand’s homecoming at the Pedder Building—The Armoury’s first home when it opened 13 years ago. 

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Photo 1 of 20 Carson Chan and Fed Tan
Photo 2 of 20 Mark Cho and Alan See
Photo 3 of 20 Christopher Owen
Photo 4 of 20 Lindsay Jang, Alan See and Pearl Shek
Photo 5 of 20 Alan Chan
Photo 6 of 20 Mark Cho
Photo 7 of 20 Alan See
Photo 8 of 20 Jackie Ho
Photo 9 of 20 Gertrude Wong
Photo 10 of 20 Thomas Perazzi and Mark Cho
Photo 11 of 20 Leslie Tsang
Photo 12 of 20 Ella Bridgland and Damian Chandler
Photo 13 of 20 Lindsay Jang and LA Consing Lopez
Photo 14 of 20 Nigel Cabourn
Photo 15 of 20 500 guests turned up to support The Armoury's new opening
Photo 16 of 20 Artwork by Gabriel Lau went under the hammer
Photo 17 of 20 Free flowing bubbly all night
Photo 18 of 20 Inside The Armoury at the Pedder Arcade
Photo 19 of 20 Inside The Armoury at the Pedder Arcade
Photo 20 of 20 Inside The Armoury at the Pedder Arcade

“I’d like to tell you the story of how this whole project came together. I love retail. I love making places that I can invite my friends to, where they can find joy, and hopefully buy something that they like,” Cho said to an audience that included Lindsay Jang, Federico Tan, Jackie Ho, Hermes Li, Bastian Wong and Leslie Tang.

“Two years ago, when we were all knee-deep in the frustration of Covid-19, I wanted to do something new in Hong Kong, [and] the Armoury felt stuck. I started The Armoury here [in Pedder Building] 13 years ago and I have a strong emotional attachment to this space. So, on June 16, 2021, I managed to get a meeting with the owner of this building, Sherman Tang, and I pitched him the idea of The Pedder Arcade. It took me six months of drinking martinis with Sherman—and constant pestering—and he finally decided that it was worth the gamble. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

The event emphasised the brand's dedication to providing a unique and personalised shopping experience for men, where each gentleman’s distinct style and preferences are catered to and with great attention to detail.

As the evening drew to a close, guests left with an appreciation for The Armoury’s unwavering commitment to redefining the boundaries of men’s luxury fashion. And the opening of this new retail concept marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey, solidifying its position as a beacon of refined style in the heart of Hong Kong.