Brand-savvy treasure hunters forgo the glitzy boutiques of Central and head over the Peak by car to Ap Lei Chau on the Island’s south side. Space is the place for last season’s Prada and Miu Miu. Bring plenty of patience and stamina to rummage through racks and stacks of these three ultra-desirable labels. Long lines are proof of the fabulous finds.

If you only hit one of Hollywood Road's many antiques shops, make it the emporium, founded by a Dutch couple in 1988. Browsing this trove of Asian antiques and art can easily fill a few hours for a serious antiques hunter. You can also rest assured that every item on sale here has a detailed certificate of authenticity. In her book China, the Art of the Middle Kingdom, featuring photographs of prime pieces from various eras and a collection of thoughtful essays, co-founder Bonnie Groot wrote: “The enduring power of Chinese art is that it instills in us a passion that is both emotional and profound as we come to understand the complex rituals and beliefs that surrounded its making and ultimately leads us back in time to a world that we cannot help but feel privileged to enter.”

For high-quality cashmere at reasonable prices and in a large variety of styles and colors, Pearls & Cashmere has long been a go-to shop for visitors. Founded in 1984 with outlets in the top hotels in Hong Kong, it once offered only very traditional English styles. A few years ago, though, the company started its BYPAC label, with hipper fashion designers introducing trendier styles. You will pay less than you would in Europe or the States, but sadly, not the bargain basement prices of years ago.

Tucked in the basement of a teeny bopper mini-mall, this diminutive space crammed with leather straps and scraps serves as the work space for the talented Eva Lau. Lau specializes in re-crafting once much loved but now rather trashed bags from European designers, some with highly recognizable logos, into more of "the" moment satchels, wallets and other chic accessories. She’s slow and crafty, like her shop’s moniker, but the high quality products will last until you decide to bring them back so Lau can morph them into something else.

English owner Mandy D’Abo is an expat favorite for her discerning eye when it comes to mostly international artists. This gallery was one of the first in the Sheung Wan neighborhood and continues to throw some of its most well-attended openings.

Anwar Islam knows everything about Chinese antiques and his generosity in teaching customers is matched by the graceful surroundings of this highly regarded collection.

This may feel like a Chinatown emporium but it’s the best place for one-stop shopping for traditional Chinese  objects and fashions like jade trinkets, carved chopsticks, silk pajamas and dragon-motif teapots. Here you can find everything from herbal teas and healing balms and remedies to furniture, ceramics and fashions, including skirts and jackets fashioned out of antique textiles.

Chiu Kee Brass Work specializes in exquisitely crafted Chinese brass accessories for the home. Items such as locks, doorknockers or collectibles in the shapes of dragons or lions as well as made-to-order pieces are available.

Suit up in the experienced hands of Paul Yiu and Johnny Leung at this no-nonsense spot. The team here works with alacrity but without sacrificing quality on custom suits, tuxedos, sports jackets and elegant French-cuff shirts.

Make an appointment to design your own Hong Kong souvenir with Chinese-Jewish Hong Kong native Elissa, or browse her selection of South Sea Pearls and diamond-encrusted baubles that sparkle like the skyline. Cohen’s number can be found on Hong Kong concierges’ speed dials, and her inspired creations, quality and prices also make her a favorite of in-the-know locals.

Think of this as Hong Kong's version of the Conran store, Muji and Anthropologie all wrapped into one. Creative, colorful and whimsical, G.O.D. (the acronym stands for Goods of Desire) stocks home wares, accessories, paper goods and gifts. It's a fun place to pick up local mementoes, too, like wallets festooned with local iconography and imagery. You can find similar Chinese-inspired knick-knacks at markets like Stanley, but the experience of shopping here—less hunting, no haggling— is much more pleasant.

Owner Oi Ling is the third generation of the Chiang family to collect Chinese antiques: her grandfather collected fine furniture and scholar’s items. She is a renowned authority, often called on to help with top auction houses and to speak as a guest at international antiques shows, and is passionate about her topic.

At the only gallery in Hong Kong specializing in local artists, owner Henry Au-Yeung has cornered this market and created a serious following among Hong Kongers and expatriates alike.

This concept store with a vintage edge sells international fashion brands as well as items from its own brand. Initial’s Causeway Bay location emphasizes a mix of home and accessories, including interesting wall decorations, designer bikes and luxury cosmetics.

This is one of those secret sources that women tell only their closest friends about. The Chinese owner, who is known to all her customers as Elsa, sells her own designs but also sought-after copies of the biggest name jewelers, including Verdura, Van Cleef and Buccellati. She uses gold and platinum and real stones as well as cubic zirconia (ask and she’ll tell you what’s what), and her prices are at least half of what you’d pay for the real thing. Society ladies from all over the world have been such loyal customers that sometimes she makes trunk show visits to New York and Los Angeles. (Ask to get on her mailing list). The main shop is in the Prince’s Building, but there is also an outpost on the mezzanine level of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Connaught Road.

A sliver of a shop on bustling Wellington Street (with a second address in Causeway Bay), Kei Poon sells handbags in exotic skins from crocodile and ostrich to ring lizard, lamb and pony hair. If you don’t see exactly what you like, they will custom design any style in any skin or color. Prices are not the cheapest you will find in town but the workmanship is worth the premium.

For those willing to shop the way many Hong Kong expats do, the Lace Department Store is worth a trip. Customers go into a drab office building, ride the elevator up to the 5th floor and hunt down Suite No. 504. Here there are extremely inexpensive cashmere sweaters and scarves.

For the very latest international fashions from the hottest designers, the once stodgy Lane Crawford has re-invented itself. Across 80,000 square feet in the IFC Mall adjacent to the Central Airport Terminal, this outlet is for locals and visitors looking to pick up the highest heels from Italy and the latest Dior handbag before jetting off or immediately on arrival.

Liger offers some of the edgiest and fashion-forward pieces in Hong Kong. Curated by two of Hong Kong’s top trendsetters, this high-end boutique offers an eclectic assortment of international brands.

Like your Choos but want them in other hues too? It’s worth hauling your entire shoe collection to this women’s cobbler who stocks an extensive range of leather and exotic skins. Custom orders take time but this centrally located address is a daily pick-up stop for the likes of FedEx and some of Hong Kong’s bold-faced names who nip in to augment their designer-filled closets with these perfect copies.

Set free your inner Suzie Wong with a cheongsam made to measure. Bring your own fabric or choose from Mr. Leung’s colorful collection of quality silks in traditional shades. Expect to wait four days from initial fitting to follow-up, then another two to three weeks to complete the transformation. Shipping is available worldwide.

This centrally located seamstress is the top pick of fashionistas who want their favorite designer items in multiple renditions, or copied off the catwalk.

A slightly hidden treasure trove, this Central shop carries unusual (for Hong Kong) folksy items, like handmade masks and natural dye clothes from all over China. Hunt for bags, cards, bamboo chopsticks and jade carved ornaments. This is a charming detour off HK’s luxury brand drag.

This historic building houses renowned international art galleries including Gagosian Gallery, a branch of London’s Ben Brown Gallery, Pearl Lam Galley and Simon Lee Gallery. Temporary exhibitions range from photographs and Chinese scroll paintings to Jeff Koons sculptures.

To see and shop up-and-coming Hong Kong designers, head to this drab office block. Four floors are home to closet-sized boutiques crammed with cutting edge designs, mostly geared towards slim figures.

The best known of them all, Sam’s Tailor, is something of an exception to that posh location rule; his tiny store is located in a shopping arcade alley with the absurdly grand address of “Burlington Arcade.” The boss, Manu Melwani, is available to go at a moment’s notice to the hotel rooms of clients such as Bill Clinton. “I see myself as similar to a lawyer or a doctor,” says the loquacious and charming Melwani. “When people come for a fitting, it’s like an X-ray; I know lots of things about their body.”

The flagship shop of David Tang, Shanghai Tang brought new glamour to traditional Chinese style clothes with electric-colored silk Mao jackets and authentic Chinese tailoring for women. The multi-story emporium now includes children’s clothing and a home collection.