You've probably heard about the scandal involving t-shirts printed with 14K (the name of one the city's largest triad groups). If not, here's a quick rundown: Douglas Young, the founder of G.O.D (Goods of Desire), and a bunch of his employees were taken in by the police for placing t-shirts bearing a logo of 14K on the racks of G.O.D. Of course, it was all a misunderstanding and the shirts were actually referring to 14 Karat gold. Recently, I sat down with the controversy-stirring Young. We met at the Causeway Bay branch of G.O.D and Young arrived dressed in baggy jeans and a playful t-shirt with pandas enacting the classic proverb, "See no evil, Hear no evil, speak no evil." Over a cup of tea, the charming designer filled me in on his latest escapades including the brand new Delay No Mall.
Lifestyle: How did you decide to open G.O.D? Can you tell me about your original vision?
Douglas Young (DY): I wanted to create a brand for Hong Kong—a successful brand. If you notice, the most successful brands tend to incorporate national identity. Not many HK brands actually feel very Hong Kong. I wanted to do something differen: to give ourselves some pride and some respect. Some of our signature items have a quirky Hong Kong feel—they are unmistakable.
Lifestyle: Can you speak a little about your experience growing up in Hong Kong? How did it feel to return to HK after your time abroad?
DY: I think my growing up is similar to a lot of Hong Kong kids. I went to a British boarding school at 14. Only upon my return did I realize what makes Hong Kong special and that's why all these inspirations came to me. I became interested in local culture and things that we normally overlook even though they are right under our nose.
Lifestyle: Can you give some examples of aspects of local culture that intrigued you?
DY: The older buildings which are unique. Newer buildings are very anonymous. Even the way people dress, the smells, the sounds, the density—there are so many aspects that are unique and exciting.
Lifestyle: Has your background in architecture influenced your work at G.O.D at all?
DY: I still consider myself to be an architect. I am still creating. There are a lot of shared aspects between what I do now and architecture, only it's on a smaller scale.
Lifestyle: I know this is probably a difficult question for you, but can you pinpoint what you love most about Hong Kong?
DY: I like the fact that it rewards people who work hard. You can't say that about everywhere in the world. Some places are lazy. I also think Hong Kong people are optimistic and resilient. It's a place you can't sit still; you get pushed along (sometimes literally). I love how you are always just 10 minutes from the sea in Hong Kong. It's also very open and cosmopolitan not provincial.
Lifestyle: Can you speak a little about your involvement in the local art scene and the current state of affairs of the Hong Kong arts scene?
DY: I am opening Delay no Mall where I will work with musicians, designers and artists. I think culture ought to be part of everyday life. I think it's high time that we had a decent platform to showcase work of local artists. As a Hong Kong person, I want to help people and I can start by giving them a platform.
Lifestyle: Who are some of your favourite local artists?
DY: I like Michael Wolf who does big format photography and Graphic Airlines. They are a team (a boy and girl) who do graffiti and some commercial work.
Lifestyle: So Delay No More really has nothing to do with the Cantonese swear words?
DY: We wanted to create a brand that addresses urgent issues like heritage preservation which is close to my heart. A lot of these things just have not been addressed by the authorities. I realize that it does sound a bit like the swear word. But we would never use it in that sense. I just want something really punchy that makes sense in terms of local culture.
Lifestyle: What was your vision for Delay No Mall?
DY: G.O.D is a brand, its got its style but at the mall its different because I get to work with other artists. Here I'm a designer whereas there I'm will be a curator. There will be deliberately no trace of G.O.D there. We have had a soft opening and by April there will be cafes, restaurants, an art gallery and a Taschen bookshop.
Lifestyle: Is it true that you were named one of the ten best dressed personalities by HK Fashion Designers? What are some of your favourite local and international brands to wear?
DY: It's true can you believe? (laughing) I need to wear casual things. I am rarely in a suit, well unless I'm meeting bankers or at a funeral. I like Levis, Adidas and GAP.
Lifestyle: What do you do to relax?
DY: Skiing.
Lifestyle: And in Hong Kong?
DY: I like to drive because I'm a car nut. Anything with speed (laughing). I like speed basically.
Lifestyle: You've been in the news lately. Can you speak a little about that?
DY: I've been in the news yes, but not as much as Edison. He sort of toppled me—I'm pissed off about that (laughing). It was just a misunderstanding, I never dreamed of being on the front page. The first day was kind of scary. I've never been arrested before. They just took us in and we got out on bail. We came out unscathed really. Since then our business has picked up, and sales have increased.
Lifestyle: What are your views on freedom of speech in Hong Kong?
DY: There is no where on earth that has complete freedom. What's important is for the law to be as black and white as possible. The triad law is very discretionary. Why is it that you can do a movie about triads but not a t-shirt, ours is not about that but what if? Hong Kong is a creative city, the law should be more written so it's clear to creative people.
Lifestyle: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
DY: Being exhausted and run to the ground (laughing).
Lifestyle: No really, is there anything you'd still like to achieve?
DY: I'm doing my dream job and I'll be blessed if I can keep going like this. But I'd love to build a building, if you know anyone who has some land let me know.
