King's Slippers Company
英皇拖鞋公司
Located on the ground floor of Majestic Apartments in North Point, the King's Slippers Company has been selling embroidered slippers since the 1960s. The shop was originally opened by Mrs Lee and her husband and is now co-managed by her son, Mr Lee.
英皇拖鞋公司位於香港北角英皇道315號麗宮大廈地下，於1960年代開業，主要售賣繡花款式的拖鞋。店舖由老闆娘李太和先夫開設，現由她和兒子（李先生）共同打理。
King's Slippers Company
英皇拖鞋公司
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During the 50s and 60s, the emergence of the Hong Kong manufacturing industry made the raw materials for making embroidered slippers easily accessible locally. As there were textile factories in North Point, many embroidered slipper shops were situated in the region. Most of them operated in a “shop-cum-storage” mode and some even had embroidery masters inside the shops to cater for the needs of the customers. From Mr Lee’s recollections of the Shanghainese, they valued taste so they had high standards for the quality and design of the embroidered slippers. With the decline of the manufacturing industry nowadays, these conditions are nowhere to be seen. Although most of the embroideries are finished with machines, complicated patterns such as sequins are still hand-made.
上世紀五、六十年代，香港製造業興起，製造繡花拖鞋的原材料大多來自本地，每雙都是全人手製成。昔日北角有不少繡花鞋店，大部分以「前店後倉」的形式經營，甚至會有師傅在後倉「坐鎮」。李先生表示上海人重視生活質素，對繡花拖鞋的設計、材料和顏色都有特別要求，若有不滿意的地方會立即提出，師傅可即時製作符合他們要求的繡花拖鞋。隨著香港製造業式微，現時製造繡花拖鞋的原材料大部分都來自內地，並以機繡製作為主來減低成本，但部分較複雜的圖案仍需依靠手繡，如珠片。
Shanghai ladies loved embroidered slippers with peony and nylon mesh.
五、六十年代的上海女性鍾情於牡丹花圖案和尼龍網質地的繡花鞋
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State Theatre
皇都戲院
Situated in the bustling King’s Road, the State Theatre also known as Empire Theatre was built in 1952 and provided entertainment such as movies and performances for the public. This reinforced concrete architecture displayed the simplicity and practicality of Post-war Modernist philosophy. In 1958, the Empire Theatre was expanded into the State Theatre Building, a multi-functioned complex comprised of a cinema, shopping mall, night club and apartments. Also, Empire Theatre changed its name to State Theatre.
皇都戲院於1952年起座落於繁華的英皇道，前身為「璇宮戲院」，主要供市民欣賞電影和文藝表演。建築材料以鋼筋混凝土為主，展現了戰後現代主義建築的簡潔和實用性。在1958年，璇宮戲院擴建後成為皇都戲院大廈，璇宮戲院正式更名為皇都戲院，並集戲院、商場、夜總會和住宅於一身。
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State Theatre
皇都戲院
State Theatre & "Little Shanghai" 皇都戲院與「小上海」時空
In the 50s and 60s, many Shanghainese capitalists immigrated and settled in North Point by doing textile business. At the same time, their “Shanghai nightlife” culture was brought with them and reconstructed in North Point. Plus, their pursuit of extravagance and ostentation. All these reasons constituted the formation of the “Little Shanghai” and North Point became the centre for top-notch entertainment. Under such historical contexts, State Theatre was one of the cultural centres in the Eastern District.
「小上海」的形成，是因為上海資本家在發展紡織業同時，將當時上海夜生活文化遷至北角以慰鄉愁。他們品味獨特，重視排場，打造了當時匯聚頂尖娛樂場所的「小上海」。在這樣的歷史環境影響下，皇都戲院儼然成為了港島區的一座文化殿堂，可謂一時無兩。
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Empire Theatre and King's Road in 1953
璇宮戲院與英皇道 (1953年)
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The Empire Theatre and State Theatre played crucial roles in Hong Kong's cinema and performing arts industry. The Empire Theatre opened the Chinese film market in Hong Kong through a screening alliance with two other cinemas in Kowloon and Central in 1956. Moving to 1964, the State Theatre was one of the few theatres that owned the screening rights on Hong Kong Island. It also hosted various art performances, including recitals, dramas, and dance performances. Under the management of Henry Oscar Odell, it attracted renowned performers and groups from around the world.
在電影方面，璇宮戲院在1956年初與金城及仙樂戲院組成國語片聯映陣線，打開了國語片在香港的市場；其後在1964年，皇都戲院更是港島區其中一間擁有首輪西片放映權的戲院。同時，其劇院設計提供了一個合適的場地進行文藝表演，例如古典音樂演奏、戲劇及舞蹈表演等。在影業鉅子歐德禮的安排下，更有不少知名的歌星和團體受邀演出。
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Mandarin film screened by Empire Theatre in 1956
於1956年璇宮戲院上映的國語片《娘惹與岩岩》
Copyright 圖片版權
1-2: 由組員鄒泳茵自行拍攝 Chau Wing Yan(2023)
3: 取自新世界發展有限公司(2018) New World Development Company Limited (2018)
4: 取自香港工商日報Hong Kong Kung Sheung Daily News (1956)
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