Arnault Castel
Founder, kapok, HK
Born and raised in France, Arnault founded kapok in 2006 as an antidote to the perceived blandness of Hong Kong retail scene.
Kapok focuses on designers and brands whose work reflects his attitude towards quality craftsmanship and creativity in design.
Kapok has grown to a network of 7 stores in 2 countries : Hong Kong and Singapore.
Arnault has developed an extensive knowledge and understanding of the Asian consumer goods and retail environment since 1996, when he moved to Hong Kong. In 2001, he joined the team in charge of the development of the Lomography brand in Asia as the head of Southeast Asian operations.
Arnault was also the co-owner and director of Working Unit Limited founded in 2005, the exclusive distributor for the Moleskine brand in Southeast Asia. He also brought to Hong Kong the first retail stores for Maison Kitsuné and l’Officine Universelle Buly.