"I Love Hong Kong, I’m born and raised
here, Hong Kong is my home."
Hong Kong locals
love a good bargain. Anyone can walk
into a Manning’s and pick up a gallon of hand soap for the price of a pork chop
bun. A good deal is hard to resist, but
consumers are catching up to manufacturers through the digital information
rush, and the standards for quality is rising day by day.
Hong Kong’s own
Edmund Ip is already ahead of the game.
Edmund loves his hometown that much is certain. He believes that, “you cannot choose your
home, Hong Kong is not perfect, but together we can make it better.”
Personally having
a mild skin allergy, Edmund took it upon himself to be aware of the many
harmful chemicals found in common over-the-counter cosmetics and soap
materials. While seeking out alternative
organic made soaps, he discovered that the choices in his city were slim, and information
and help were hard to come by.
After graduating
from the Polytechnic University of Hong Kong with a degree in Design, Edmund
first left his hometown at the age of twenty to pursue a Communications degree
in Australia. His studies at RMIT University
would lead to his meeting with Gia Fox, his future business partner.
They partnered up
together to form Bathe to Basics, with three different locations in Hong Kong.
Bathe to Basics combines animal fats and vegetable oils with alkaline salts to
create their soaps. The ancient Egyptian
cold press method is used to extract and maintain all valuable nutrients from
each ingredient. The process yields a
high glycerin byproduct effectively moisturizing the skin simultaneously. Each soap bar is cut and packaged by hand,
without any artificial oils that cause irritation.
“It is a small operation.” A recent hire in the marketing department has
been the most recent addition to the Bathe to Basics team. The main production stage is in a remote
location in Tai Po. "It is not an
everyday production so some bulk orders are challenging to fulfil when they
come in.” They usually produce batches
in 20-30 bars during production, and large orders over 1000 have been a
challenge for this boutique shop.
When talking
about his previous work experiences, Edmund waxed nostalgic on the demise of HK
Magazine. "It was one of the first
English magazine(s) talking about different lifestyle in Hong Kong...played an
important role during the time.” While
it was a short stay during his career Edmund was sad to see that they could not
keep up with digital demands.
Bathe to Basics
has always had an operational online store on their website, but the experience
at the store cannot be replicated on a computer. "We found that customers like to
interact with us. Ask questions, smell
scents, and touch the products. Our
loyal customers buy online because of the previous experience … online is
important, but the physical shop is the key."
Located on the
fourth floor of Staunton Building in PMQ, Edmund is happy his flagship store is
in a unique location.
"(PMQ)
Gathered a lot of local designers, different boutique shop … an aura to this
place. Locals appreciate this place,
most feedback from the tourists love the place a lot, not big brands in
department stores...most of the shops are unique and representing Hong Kong,
makes us special...easier to stand out.”
Every brand has a
different identity and Edmund’s company is the same. While some soaps are either bland and
utilitarian, or overtly garish, Edmund and Gia have opted for a simpler
aesthetic and approach. Their
top-selling product is the Basic Cream Bar.
"Just a round shape, simple, that's the
first soap we made."
Edmund also
writes a blog for his website, which he admits is one area he wants to improve. "Aim of our brand...not just to provide
better solutions and choices...try to tell you more information, when we
started there was not much to go on, there are still misunderstandings and
myths, I want to write a blog telling people what it is we're doing and why.”
Although there
are three different locations throughout the city, Edmund is weary of expanding
his shop too hastily.
“(To) grow bigger
of course, try to balance the right way…save time and cost is cheap but product
suffers, lots of companies sacrifice quality as they get better, lose sight of
their mission statement… (to) grow big and balance at the same time, that is
the challenge. I believe there is a
(right) way to do it.”
Edmund is
constantly searching for new technologies and ingredients overseas. “I don’t follow one particular soap-maker,
mostly the natural brands…Hong Kong is a bit slow in (embracing) natural
organic products…I follow the trends and patterns so I can incorporate them
back home.
Since 2011 Bathe
to Basics has been on the forefront of eco-friendly local products. Now that the cat’s out the bag, local and
foreign competitors are visible on the horizon.
Fresh off their success in the Cream Bar Soap, their product line has
now expanded to shampoos, conditioners, and face wash.
Franchising his
products to boutique departments stores in the future, but they must share Edmund
and Gia’s vision of soap-making.
"It’s better for us and better for the earth.”
Store Locations:
Flagship Store
Bathe to Basics
S403, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
http://www.pmq.org.hk/shop/bathe-to-basic-home-store/
WECONS @ Flower Market
1/F, 204 Prince Edward Rd W, Mong Kok
Colorliving
333 Lockhart road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
