The adage “judge the attire before the person” holds true for interior designers: talent is essential, but a refined personal style amplifies professional appeal. Here we spotlight seven Hong Kong women designers whose exceptional work is matched by their distinctive charisma.
Laura Cheung, Lala Curio
Born into an artistic family, Laura Cheung infuses her brand Lala Curio with contemporary takes on cloisonné enamelling and hand-painted wallpapers. Her vibrant personal style—bold colours and confident dressing—mirrors the meticulous embroidery in her work. Embracing a “more is more” ethos, she creates dramatic residential wall hangings blending Baroque opulence with Eastern motifs, turning each piece into a cross-cultural visual feast.
Residential wall decoration designed by Laura Cheung
MJ, Common Room
MJ exudes effortless elegance that permeates her interiors. As creative director of Common Room Home & Living, she pairs modern aesthetics with antique furniture to craft narrative-rich spaces. Drawing from clients’ lifestyles, her designs balance practicality and poise, creating relaxed yet sophisticated homes that feel uniquely personal.
The Drake residential project by MJ
Anya Wu, Root Design
Anya Wu founded Root Design in 2018, embodying urban femininity amid work and family life. Her modest, tailored style translates into interiors that are precisely proportioned—neither sparse nor excessive. For Anya, beauty lies beyond surface: her spatial storytelling resonates deeply with homeowners.
Malibu Residential, designed by Anya Wu
Elaine Lu, LIM + LU
Co-founder of Lim + Lu, Elaine Lu—raised in Atlanta, educated in New York—brings global experience from Copenhagen’s Boldsen & Holm, New York’s Robert A.M. Stern, and Tiffany & Co. retail projects. Her versatile approach spans furniture, graphics, branding and interiors, unbound by convention.
Rosewood Hong Kong headquarters office by Lim + Lu, led by Elaine Lu
Samantha Soo, STUDIOSSOO
Samantha Soo, founder and creative director of STUDIOSSOO since 2017, channels a lifelong passion for materials into emotive spaces. Shaped by nearly a decade in Chicago and global travels, her East-meets-West sensibility shines through masterful texture play, reflecting her poised, intellectual allure. Each project honours space through storytelling.
Borrett Residence by Samantha Soo
Betty Ng, COLLECTIVE
A powerhouse at cross-disciplinary firm COLLECTIVE, Betty Ng spans architecture, interiors, urban planning and exhibitions. A former design director under Rem Koolhaas at OMA Rotterdam, she champions “subtractive” design—stripping away excess to reveal essence through collaborative critique, mirroring her no-nonsense sophistication.
Christie’s Asia Pacific headquarters by Betty Ng
Candice Chan Chao, J. Candice Interior Architects
After US studies, Candice Chan Chao launched J. Candice Interior Architects in 2009. Her worldly inspirations yield balanced designs harmonising complements and contrasts. As a mother of three, she equates spatial beauty—texture to light—with life’s work-family equilibrium, underpinned by dedicated self-care.
Restaurant for Hong Kong Jockey Club by Candice Chan Chao
