I.T

I.T is a Hong Kong fashion and investment conglomerate established in November 1988 by brothers Sham Kar Wai and Sham Kin Wai. The business began as a distributor of hard-to-find European and Japanese fashion labels at a time when access to international contemporary fashion in Hong Kong was more limited. It subsequently expanded from distribution into multi-brand retail, brand management, licensing, and the development of proprietary fashion concepts. The group uses several retail formats. Stores operating under the uppercase I.T name generally focus on more premium European and Japanese labels, while the lowercase i.t format is associated with younger and more accessible fashion brands. In addition to these multi-brand stores, the group has operated stand-alone locations for individual labels, including 5CM and other brands associated with its portfolio. This format allows I.T to combine the purchasing and distribution capabilities of a department-store-style fashion retailer with the identity and merchandising control of a brand owner. Its portfolio has included in-house and controlled labels such as AAPE BY A BATHING APE, A BATHING APE, A BATHING APE Café, b+ab, CHOCOOLATE, EXIT, FIVE CM, fingercroxx, HOODS, izzue, mastermind A BATHING APE, NEITH, tout à coup, and Venilla suite. The group has also been associated with licensed or distributed brands including X-Large, Hyoma, as known as de Rue, Camper, MLB, Techwear, and Fred Perry. The precise ownership, licensing, and distribution status of individual labels can vary over time, so the portfolio should not be treated as a single uniform ownership structure. I.T developed a substantial presence across Asia through stores and distribution activities. It also operated several stores in a mall in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada; that Canadian location closed in 2019. The company’s head office is in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, while its registered office is in Hamilton, Bermuda. Publicly available reference material identifies the group’s retail architecture, founders, locations, and brand portfolio, but does not provide enough reliable information here to state current revenue, ownership, listing status, executive leadership, or a definitive current store count.

I.T was founded in Hong Kong in November 1988 by brothers Sham Kar Wai and Sham Kin Wai. Its original business was the distribution of European and Japanese fashion labels that were difficult for Hong Kong consumers to obtain. This starting point gave the company expertise in sourcing, importing, merchandising, and presenting international contemporary fashion within the Hong Kong market. Over time, I.T moved beyond the role of a distributor. It developed a multi-brand retail network and introduced proprietary fashion labels, while also operating stores dedicated to particular brands. The group’s retail structure separated different customer and price propositions: the I.T format was associated with more expensive European and Japanese labels, whereas the i.t format focused on younger brands distributed under the group’s retail umbrella. Individual stores for labels such as 5CM complemented these broader multi-brand formats. The group’s brand activities have covered streetwear, contemporary fashion, youth apparel, footwear, accessories, and related lifestyle concepts. Its portfolio has included A BATHING APE and AAPE BY A BATHING APE, as well as labels such as b+ab, CHOCOOLATE, EXIT, FIVE CM, fingercroxx, HOODS, izzue, NEITH, tout à coup, and Venilla suite. It has also been connected with licensed or distributed brands including X-Large, Hyoma, as known as de Rue, Camper, MLB, Techwear, and Fred Perry. These categories reflect I.T’s hybrid model: it has acted as a retailer, distributor, licensee, and brand developer rather than relying on a single house label. I.T built a significant presence in Asia. Its operations included Hong Kong retail and wider regional distribution, with additional international activity in Canada. Several stores operated in a mall in Richmond, British Columbia, although that location closed in 2019. The company’s head office is located on the 31st floor of Tower A of Southmark in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, and its registered office is in Hamilton, Bermuda. The available reference material does not establish a complete chronology of ownership changes, financial performance, current store numbers, or present executive appointments. It does, however, document I.T’s central historical transition from a specialist Hong Kong distributor into a broader fashion retail and investment group with international brands, proprietary labels, and multiple retail formats.

• 2019

  Richmond, British Columbia retail presence closes

  [1]I.Ten.wikipedia.org

  Several I.T stores in a Richmond, British Columbia mall close.

• 1988

  I.T is founded in Hong Kong

  [1]I.Ten.wikipedia.org

  Sham Kar Wai and Sham Kin Wai establish I.T in November 1988 as a distributor of hard-to-find European and Japanese fashion labels.

• The group develops proprietary fashion brands

  [1]I.Ten.wikipedia.org

  I.T expands from third-party distribution into the creation, ownership, licensing, and operation of fashion labels and dedicated retail concepts.

A Hong Kong-based fashion platform positioned between premium multi-brand retail, youth-oriented contemporary fashion, and proprietary brand development. Its differentiation comes from combining the distribution of European and Japanese labels with in-house, licensed, and stand-alone retail concepts.

• Premium multi-brand fashion retail

  I.T

  The uppercase I.T store format is associated with the group’s more premium selection of European and Japanese fashion labels. It functions as a curated multi-brand retail channel rather than a single-product line, presenting apparel, footwear, accessories, and related contemporary fashion products from multiple designers and labels.

• Youth-oriented multi-brand fashion retail

  i.t

  The lowercase i.t format is positioned toward younger and more accessible fashion. It distributes and retails a broad selection of youthful brands under the I.T group’s store network, complementing the more premium assortment associated with the uppercase I.T format.

• Streetwear

  A BATHING APE

  A BATHING APE is a prominent streetwear label represented in I.T’s brand portfolio. Its offer is centered on graphic-led apparel, footwear, accessories, and lifestyle merchandise. The available reference identifies it as an in-house brand within the group’s portfolio, but does not provide a detailed chronology of its ownership or operating structure.

• Streetwear

  AAPE BY A BATHING APE

  AAPE BY A BATHING APE is a youth-focused streetwear label included among I.T’s in-house brands. It extends the group’s streetwear activity through apparel and accessories designed for a younger market, although the supplied sources do not specify its launch date or current distribution footprint.

• Contemporary fashion

  5CM

  5CM is one of the fashion labels associated with I.T’s proprietary portfolio and has also been operated through individual stand-alone stores. It represents the group’s strategy of developing distinct brand identities in addition to running multi-brand retail formats.

• Contemporary fashion

  izzue

  izzue is an I.T-associated in-house fashion label. It forms part of the group’s contemporary apparel portfolio and illustrates its move from importing external labels toward building proprietary brands with their own merchandising and retail identities.

• Youth fashion

  CHOCOOLATE

  CHOCOOLATE is listed among I.T’s in-house brands and is connected with the group’s youth-oriented fashion activity. The supplied material does not provide product-level details or a verified launch date, so it is described here only as a portfolio label rather than a specific product range.

• Women’s contemporary fashion

  b+ab

  b+ab is included in I.T’s in-house brand portfolio. It contributes to the group’s broader contemporary fashion offering and is presented through the group’s retail and distribution infrastructure. Detailed information about its current product assortment is not established by the supplied references.

• Lifestyle hospitality

  A BATHING APE Café

  A BATHING APE Café is a lifestyle extension associated with the A BATHING APE portfolio. It broadens the brand experience beyond apparel into hospitality and branded consumer environments. The available reference confirms its inclusion in the portfolio but does not document locations or operating dates.

• 1988

  Begin as a specialist international-label distributorStrategy

  Background

  The founders entered Hong Kong fashion by distributing European and Japanese labels that were difficult to find locally.

  Action taken

  I.T established a sourcing and distribution business focused on hard-to-find international fashion brands.

  Aftermath

  This distribution foundation later supported the group’s expansion into multi-brand retail and proprietary fashion labels.

  Source

• Expand into owned and proprietary brandsStrategy

  Background

  After establishing its distribution business, I.T sought greater control over brand development and retail presentation.

  Action taken

  The group developed in-house labels and operated stand-alone stores alongside its I.T and i.t multi-brand formats.

  Aftermath

  I.T became a hybrid fashion group combining distribution, retail, licensing, and proprietary brand operations.

  Source

1. 1I.Ten.wikipedia.org