10 Questions: Joe Wong of Open Dialogue

1. What’s your role at Open Dialogue?

I’m the director, and I lead both the brand’s creative and business direction, as well as managing the communications with our business partners.

2. How would you describe Open Dialogue to someone who’s new to the brand?

I’d describe it as a lifestyle store that offers a curated selection of products aimed at enhancing everyday life.

3. Can you share the origin story behind launching Open Dialogue?

Our goal was to create a space that truly reflects our brand philosophy by offering a blend of collaborative projects and our own private label products. We’ve partnered with various international brands for collaborations, introducing these labels to the Hong Kong market. We also designed the store space to offer a more lifestyle-driven experience, which allows customers to engage with products in an environment similar to where the products will be used.

4. Who do you see as the target customer for Open Dialogue, and what do you hope they experience when they visit the Pacific Place store?

Our target customers aren’t defined by a specific age group — they’re open-minded individuals who focus on quality in their lifestyles. Given that Pacific Place is a symbol of contemporary luxury in Hong Kong, it aligns perfectly with Open Dialogue’s branding. We’re aiming to introduce more international lifestyle brands to these discerning people.

5. What are three menswear essentials you believe every man should have in his wardrobe?

I’d say sneakers, T-shirts and sunglasses are essential.

6. You mentioned that Open Dialogue stocks both a private label line of menswear and a series of like-minded brands. Can you share some of the brands available at Open Dialogue in Pacific Place?

Our brand selection is divided into shoes and fashion. For shoes, we offer popular brands like Clarks, New Balance, On Running and Salomon. On the fashion side, we carry international labels such as MADNESS, FDMTL, White Mountaineering and Maison Kitsuné.

7. What key pieces can customers expect to find from Open Dialogue’s private label at Pacific Place? 

We’ve brought our new SS24 collection to Pacific Place, featuring a range of versatile essentials made with functional fabrics, perfect for everything from home to office, even on a rainy day.

8. Can you tell us about any exclusive or collaborative collections available at Pacific Place?

We’ve collaborated with Clarks Originals to create an exclusive version of their iconic Desert Trek shoe, reimagined in all black with Open Dialogue’s signature silver studs. It’s a classic piece, perfect for everyday wear. We also have collaboration projects with two Japanese labels, WILD THINGS and MEANSWHILE, ideal for the summer season.

9. What key menswear, homeware or lifestyle trends do you expect to see more of in the second half of 2024?

I believe the ‘quiet outdoor’ trend will continue into the coming year. Sportswear has become the new uniform for daily life, blending seamlessly with the growing gym culture. So we expect to see sneaker and clothing creators like Hoka One One and On Running becoming more popular.

10. Where do you see Open Dialogue in five years?

We’ll continue focusing on what we’ve been building over the past year, developing new collaborations with brands we admire. Our goal is to team up with more partners across different sectors to establish a high-quality retail brand in Hong Kong and Asia.