French fashion house Lacoste has officially opened its new Hong Kong flagship store at the historic Pedder Building in Central. To mark the occasion, the brand partnered with local watercolour artist Alvin C.K. Lam to create a bespoke artwork inspired by the iconic building and its surrounding neighbourhood. Located within the Grade I-listed site, the new flagship brings together Lacoste’s French heritage and Hong Kong’s dynamic spirit
Lam is best known for documenting Hong Kong’s overlooked stories, historic businesses and everyday moments through watercolor. His “Unspoken Stories, Unsung Heroes” series, which spotlights the people and places that shape the city’s identity, has earned him a devoted following. Beyond his urban sketching practice, he has remained active in Hong Kong’s art scene through solo exhibitions and appearances at events such as the Hong Kong Illustration and Creative Show.
For the Lacoste collaboration, Lam reimagined Pedder Building through his distinctive style, filling the artwork with local references, architectural details and cultural touchpoints that celebrate both Central’s character and the meeting of Hong Kong and French heritage.
On the opening day of the flagship, #legend spoke with Lam about the collaboration, the inspiration behind the artwork and how he brought the two cultures together through a single painting.
How did the Lacoste collaboration first come about?
Lacoste first approached me around February and I was immediately interested. The idea of being involved in the opening of a flagship store at the Pedder Building felt very exciting. It became a long but rewarding creative process involving lots of brainstorming and collaboration. What I appreciated most was the creative freedom Lacoste gave me to bring my own artistic perspective into the project. From the artwork itself to tote bags and postcards, I’m very proud to see everything come together.
Much of your work explores Hong Kong’s heritage and the stories behind its places. How did you bring that artistic perspective into this collaboration with Lacoste?
This collaboration felt very natural because it pays tribute to the Pedder Building, a site with deep cultural and historical significance in Hong Kong. My work has always focused on documenting the stories behind the city’s people and places, so the project felt like a natural extension of that approach. Through the artwork, I enjoyed exploring the intersection between Lacoste’s French heritage and Hong Kong’s own cultural heritage.
You often paint directly on location. What do you enjoy most about painting in the middle of the city?
Painting on location allows me to fully immerse myself in my surroundings and observe details that might otherwise go unnoticed. Those observations give soul to my paintings. My work is ultimately about storytelling, and many of those stories come from the small moments and details that you can only experience by being there in person. They’re often the kinds of things you would miss if you were working from a photograph, which is why painting on location remains such an essential part of what I do.
How did the Pedder Building influence your creative approach to the artwork?
The Pedder Building is really the hero of the artwork. From the very beginning, its historical significance served as the central inspiration behind the painting. As the concept evolved, I incorporated elements that reflect the character of Central, including the iconic cha chaan teng Lan Fong Yuen, a classic 1950s walk-up building on Shing Wong Street, taxis, rickshaws and Central MTR Station. Together, these details create a tribute not only to the building itself, but also to the neighbourhood and culture that surround it.
How did you translate Lacoste’s brand identity into your distinctive watercolor style?
With this project, I was able to be a bit more playful than usual. While my “Unspoken Stories, Unsung Heroes” collection is often highly detailed and rooted in storytelling, this collaboration gave me room to embrace a lighter, more imaginative approach. At the same time, I made sure my artistic DNA remained present through the colours, composition and many hidden details throughout the painting.
What do you hope visitors take away from the artwork?
I hope visitors feel as though they have stepped into a uniquely Hong Kong interpretation of Lacoste’s wonderland. The artwork is filled with details that reward closer inspection. Some draw from Hong Kong culture, while others reference French culture and Lacoste’s heritage. I wanted to create a dialogue between the two and celebrate how they can come together in one piece.
What does this collaboration mean to you personally as a Hong Kong artist?
I feel incredibly grateful and proud to be part of this project. The fact that Lacoste actively sought out a local Hong Kong artist and gave me the freedom to contribute my own ideas means a great deal to me. I hope it also shows that local creative voices have value and that meaningful collaborations can exist between global brands and Hong Kong’s artistic community.
Check out our conversation with Alvin C.K. Lam below.
Also see: Golden Goose: An enchanted evening in the forest at Biennale Arte 2026
