China's ban on sales of black clothing to Hong Kong has unexpectedly hit a fashion company specializing in casual wear in black.
"Right now all my items for the September drop are being held at customs. Couriers won't even pick them up," said Brian Au, whose fashion brand CHSN1 sells hoodies, sweatshirts and casual sportswear that come mainly in black.
Chinese authorities have banned sales to Hong Kong of black garments such as T-shirts and jeans, which anti-government protesters have adopted as part of their signature look in their months-long campaign for greater accountability and democracy.
The snag highlights the surprising and far-reaching consequences of the Hong Kong government's push for a plan to allow extradition to mainland China, which was formally withdrawn on Wednesday.
The plan had triggered months of unrest since June over fears it would weaken the former British colony's considerable autonomy from Beijing.
Au said he knew of companies that had placed orders of black T-shirts for corporate events and couldn't get them shipped into Hong Kong from the mainland.
Others have reported delayed shipments of black clothing such as yoga pants.
No wonder it took Taobao three freaking weeks to send me two pairs of black yoga pants…
Shall I THANK THE PARTY they didn't get confiscated? https://t.co/hOJfCTjxSH" Nectar Gan (@Nectar_Gan) October 17, 2019
CHSN1, which stands for "chosen one," is sold through the brand's own website mostly to North America. Production takes place in a factory near the city of Guangzhou in southern China.
Au has adopted the "drop model" typical of streetwear labels: timed releases of new products that don't follow the seasonal calendar of conventional brands.
However, the brand's latest drop, which was supposed to be available in September, has not reached Hong Kong yet, due to the Chinese government's ban.
"The black came to me because it's easy to wear," Au said.
But now, "There's no way to get even one shirt into Hong Kong," he said.
Au said he has not personally seen any protesters wearing his products on the street but has heard from friends who have seen some clad in CHSN1 items.
But while the protests and the ban have affected the bottom line of his brand, Au said he would continue wearing black.
"It's my style and the essence of the brand and I always wear black, so I don't let that affect me."
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