SCANNOW 城市編輯室-心度探索（Deep Dive）- 南泱記 Nam Yang Kee HK

店主的話

南泱記的創立，源於店主 Christy 在異國他鄉的一次奇妙經歷。那段時間，思鄉之情讓她特別敏感。某天，她在一家外國的社區二手店裡，偶然發現了一件標示著「Made In Hong Kong」字樣的恤衫。那一刻，這串簡單的文字，卻像一道光芒穿透了她的心，令她感到無比神奇又深受感動。這段經歷在她心中激起了一個想法：如果能將那些曾經承載著「香港製造」輝煌的服飾帶回香港，那將會是一件既有趣又意義深遠的事。於是乎，這個念頭便催生了「南泱記」。

若要用三個形容詞來概括南泱記的店舖與品牌精神，那便是「本土」、「獨特」與「保育」。

首先是「本土」。每一件在南泱記出售的古著，都曾是昔日的香港製造，它們不僅僅是衣物，更是當年香港紡織業繁盛的活生生見證。透過這些老物件，人們得以觸摸到那段輝煌的歷史，感受本土製造的驕傲。

再來是「獨特」。Christy 熱衷於搜尋那些特別且少見的衣品和飾物。因此，南泱記的店內藏有各式各樣的舊香港產物，其中不乏令人驚奇的品項，有想像得到的，也有意想不到的，每一件都獨一無二。

最後是「保育」。儘管這是一個相對誇張的形容詞，但 Christy 在經營的過程中，的確生出了一種使命感。她深知店內的每一件舊物都彌足珍貴，如同受保護的稀有動物，承載著一段獨特的歷史與文化記憶，值得被細心呵護與傳承。

在南泱記創業的初期，Christy 曾遭遇一段迷茫的時期。偶爾會有客人未能理解「香港製造」這些古著背後的意義。那時的她常常反問自己，難道只有她一人認同這些香港製造古著的意義和價值，遠遠大於一件衣物本身嗎？然而，轉機隨之而來。當她遇到越來越多客人，他們與她一同分享對這些舊物相同的感受時，這份共鳴便成了她堅持經營下去的強大動力。這些理解與支持，如同溫暖的陽光，驅散了她心中的疑慮，讓她堅信自己的方向是正確且有意義的。

品牌故事

目光中的認同：港製古著的情感迴響

在南泱記的日常營運中，最讓店主 Christy 感到「這就是我想做的事」的瞬間，莫過於看見客人分享感動時眼中閃爍的光芒。她感到非常慶幸，因為她所找回來的香港製造古著，能夠觸動人心，讓客人回想起小時候與母親和外婆的溫馨回憶。這種情感的連結，超越了衣物本身，讓她深切感受到自己工作的意義與價值。

時代的傳承：本地創作與手作的歷史足跡

Christy 認為，南泱記的產品本身也可算是昔日的本地創作和手作。它們的意義在於承載著香港製造業的歷史，同時也希望這些香港製造的古著，能成為年輕一代重新認識這段歷史的契機。她相信，此刻在這個城市中製作出來的每一件本地創作和手作，都像是一個個故事和技藝的載體，將傳承至未來的香港。

六十年代的匠心：穿珠繡花小手袋的獨特魅力

近期南泱記最受客人喜愛的產品，是一個來自六十年代的穿珠繡花小手袋。它之所以特別，首先在於其少見的袋型。整個手袋都繡上了白色小膠珠，巧妙地搭配袋身布料上的繡花圖案。最獨特的地方是手抽設計，有別於常見的金屬鏈款式，這個手袋將膠珠分別穿成六條串珠，再以鬢髮的方式精心編織成手抽。這是一個充滿細節和精湛工藝的小手袋，每一處都彰顯著那個年代的匠心獨運。

「舊品上架」的哲學：反思「新」與「舊」的定義

在每次發佈新產品時，Christy 堅持一個小細節，她總會寫下一句「舊品上架」。她深知這四個字未必會引起每個人的注意，但其實她希望藉此引導大家去反思：「新」與「舊」的定義究竟是什麼？尤其是在時裝業界，新舊的界線更是模糊不清。她想傳達的訊息或許是：「舊得來有點新，新得來又有點舊」，這正是南泱記產品中蘊含的獨特韻味。

靈感枯竭的解藥：展覽的啟迪與熱情重燃

當靈感枯竭，Christy 會選擇去看展覽。透過欣賞別人的故事和充滿熱情的作品，她總能感到大開眼界，許多困惑也能因此迎刃而解。這種沉浸在藝術與創意中的體驗，是她重拾創作熱情的有效方法，讓她從中獲得啟發，再次點燃對舊物新生的熱情。

《那陣時不知道》：香港的時代迴響

如果南泱記是一個品牌，它會是 My Little Airport 的歌曲《那陣時不知道》。Christy 曾問及媽媽，那個香港各行各業繁華鼎盛的年代有何感受，媽媽卻回答：「那時候不知道，只是照樣如常生活吧。」這首歌和這段對話，完美詮釋了南泱記的品牌精神：那些看似平凡的「舊」，其實承載著豐厚的歷史與故事，只是在「那陣時」，身處其中的人們並未察覺其獨特的價值。如今，南泱記的存在，正是為了讓這些被遺忘的「舊」，在當下被重新看見與珍視。

舊時光的拼圖：製衣婆婆的口述歷史

在南泱記的營運過程中，最讓店主 Christy 印象深刻的，莫過於每次遇上曾經置身香港製衣業的老一輩。這些長者總是能分享許多珍貴的故事，讓她獲益匪淺。有一次在市集，Christy 遇到一位年過八十的婆婆，南泱記的古著和手袋令她停下腳步，看得十分入神。

後來，這位婆婆告訴 Christy，原來她年輕時曾是個在九龍塘製作手袋和鞋履的女工，後期也曾在西營盤替不同客人訂製唐裝服飾。每次聽完這些從前日常的故事，Christy 都有種獲得一塊拼圖的感覺，對於從前製造業日常的想像又變得更加立體和鮮活。這些口述歷史，讓南泱記不僅僅是販售舊物，更成為了連結過去與現在的橋樑。

十年寄語：肯定與抵達心之所向

如果能對十年前的自己說一句話，Christy 會堅定地說：「每份努力都是值得的！終將抵達你心之所向的地方。」

她回憶道，十年前正是她考讀 DSE 的年份，那一年充滿了迷惘，同時又被考試追趕著，為了未知的未來拼命努力。現在回望過去，她覺得當時最需要的，就是一個對付出努力的肯定。這句話不僅是對過去自我的安慰，更是對現在與未來的一種期許，鼓勵自己和他人即使身處迷茫，也要相信努力終有回報，最終會到達內心嚮往的彼岸。

活在當下：港製古著的歷史傳承與品牌支持

南泱記希望大家當下最能透過他們的品牌感受到的，是對香港製造業歷史的了解與支持。

雖然南泱記售賣的都是來自過去的香港製造產物，但他們希望顧客在了解香港製衣業輝煌歷史的同時，更能感受現在仍然堅持「香港製造」的一眾本地品牌所面臨的不易。

地址：火炭安華工業大廈13樓i室

營業時間：預約制

A Message from the founder

The creation of Nam Yang Kee stemmed from a wondrous experience the owner, Christy, had in a foreign land. During that time, homesickness made her particularly sensitive. One day, in a community second-hand store abroad, she serendipitously discovered a shirt labeled "Made In Hong Kong." In that moment, these simple words pierced her heart like a ray of light, making her feel incredibly amazed and deeply moved. This experience sparked an idea within her: if she could bring back to Hong Kong the glorious garments that once carried the "Made In Hong Kong" label, it would be both interesting and profoundly meaningful. Thus, this idea gave birth to "Nam Yang Kee."

If three adjectives were to summarize the spirit of Nam Yang Kee's shop and brand, they would be "local," "unique," and "preservation."

Firstly, "local." Every vintage item sold at Nam Yang Kee was once made in Hong Kong. They are not merely garments but living testaments to the prosperity of Hong Kong's textile industry in those days. Through these old objects, people can touch that glorious history and feel the pride of local manufacturing.

Next, "unique." Christy is passionate about searching for special and rare clothing items and accessories. Therefore, Nam Yang Kee's store houses a wide variety of old Hong Kong products, including many surprising items, both imaginable and unexpected, each one unique.

Finally, "preservation." Although this is a relatively exaggerated adjective, Christy has indeed developed a sense of mission in the process of running the business. She deeply knows that every old item in the store is precious, like protected rare animals, carrying a unique history and cultural memory that deserves to be carefully cherished and passed down.

In the early days of Nam Yang Kee's entrepreneurship, Christy experienced a period of confusion. Occasionally, customers failed to understand the significance behind these "Made In Hong Kong" vintage items. At that time, she often asked herself, "Am I the only one who believes the meaning and value of these Hong Kong-made vintage items far exceed that of a mere garment?" However, a turning point arrived. As she met more and more customers who shared her feelings about these old items, this resonance became a powerful motivation for her to continue operating. This understanding and support, like warm sunshine, dispelled her doubts, making her firmly believe that her direction was correct and meaningful.

Brand Story

Recognition in Their Gaze: The Emotional Resonance of Hong Kong-Made Vintage

In the daily operations of Nam Yang Kee, the moment that makes the owner, Christy, feel "this is what I want to do" is seeing the sparkle in customers' eyes when they share their emotions. She feels incredibly fortunate that the Hong Kong-made vintage items she has brought back can touch hearts and evoke warm childhood memories with their mothers and grandmothers. This emotional connection transcends the garments themselves, making her deeply feel the meaning and value of her work.

Inheritance of an Era: The Historical Footprint of Local Creations and Handicrafts

Christy believes that Nam Yang Kee's products themselves can be considered local creations and handicrafts of the past. Their significance lies in carrying the history of Hong Kong's manufacturing industry. At the same time, they hope that these Hong Kong-made vintage items can serve as an opportunity for the younger generation to rediscover this history. She believes that every local creation and handicraft made in this city at this moment is like a vessel of stories and skills that will be passed on to the future of Hong Kong.

The Craftsmanship of the Sixties: The Unique Charm of a Beaded Embroidered Handbag

Recently, the most beloved product at Nam Yang Kee is a beaded embroidered handbag from the 1960s. Its special quality lies, first and foremost, in its rare shape. The entire handbag is embroidered with small white plastic beads, cleverly complementing the embroidered patterns on the bag's fabric. The most unique feature is the handle design; unlike common metal chain styles, this handbag's handle is intricately woven from six separate strands of beads, braided together like hair. It's a small handbag full of exquisite details and craftsmanship, every aspect showcasing the ingenuity of that era.

The Philosophy of "Old Items Listed": Reflecting on the Definition of "New" and "Old"

When launching new products, Christy adheres to a small detail: she always writes "舊品上架" (Old Items Listed). She knows these four characters may not catch everyone's attention, but she hopes to use them to prompt reflection: what exactly is the definition of "new" and "old"? Especially in the fashion industry, the boundary between new and old is even blurrier. The message she wants to convey might be: "old with a touch of new, new with a hint of old"—this is the unique charm embedded in Nam Yang Kee's products.

The Cure for Creative Block: The Inspiration of Exhibitions and Rekindled Passion

When inspiration runs dry, Christy chooses to visit exhibitions. By appreciating others' stories and passionate works, she always feels greatly enlightened, and many confusions can be resolved. This immersion in art and creativity is an effective way for her to regain her creative passion, allowing her to gain inspiration and rekindle her enthusiasm for the rebirth of old objects.

"Didn't Know Back Then": Hong Kong's Echo of an Era

If Nam Yang Kee were a brand, it would be My Little Airport's song "Didn't Know Back Then" (那陣時不知道). Christy once asked her mother how she felt about the era when all industries in Hong Kong were thriving, and her mother replied, "Didn't know back then, just lived life as usual." This song and this conversation perfectly encapsulate Nam Yang Kee's brand spirit: those seemingly ordinary "old" things actually carry rich history and stories, it's just that "back then," people living through it didn't perceive their unique value.Today, Nam Yang Kee exists precisely to ensure that these forgotten "old" items are seen and cherished anew in the present.

A Puzzle of Old Times: The Oral History of Garment Workers

During the operation of Nam Yang Kee, what left the deepest impression on the owner, Christy, was encountering older generations who had once worked in Hong Kong's garment industry. These elders always shared many precious stories, from which she gained immensely. Once at a market, Christy met an octogenarian woman whose attention was captivated by Nam Yang Kee's vintage clothes and handbags.

Later, the elderly woman told Christy that in her youth, she had been a female worker making handbags and footwear in Kowloon Tong, and later also customized Qipaos for various customers in Sai Ying Pun. Each time she heard these stories of daily life from the past, Christy felt as though she had gained a piece of a puzzle, making her imagination of the manufacturing industry's daily life more three-dimensional and vivid. These oral histories make Nam Yang Kee more than just a seller of old items; it becomes a bridge connecting the past and the present.

A Message for Ten Years Ago: Affirmation and Reaching One's Heart's Desire

If she could say one thing to her ten-years-ago self, Christy would firmly say: "Every effort is worthwhile! You will eventually reach the place your heart desires."

She recalled that ten years ago was the year she took her DSE exams, a year full of confusion, yet also driven by exams to desperately strive for an unknown future. Looking back now, she feels that what she needed most at that time was an affirmation of her efforts. This message is not only a comfort to her past self but also an expectation for the present and future, encouraging herself and others to believe that even amidst confusion, effort will eventually be rewarded, and they will reach the destination their heart longs for.

Living in the Present: The Historical Legacy and Brand Support of Hong Kong-Made Vintage

Nam Yang Kee hopes that what everyone can most profoundly feel through their brand in the present moment is an understanding of and support for Hong Kong's manufacturing history.

Although Nam Yang Kee sells products from Hong Kong's past, they hope that customers, while understanding the glorious history of Hong Kong's garment industry, can also appreciate the difficulties faced by local brands that are still committed to "Made In Hong Kong" today.

Address: ROOM i , 13/F , On Wah Industrial Building , Fo Tan

🕐Business Hour: By Appointment