Hong Kong-based culture magazine offLINE, which launched in 2026, has just announced a special box set dedicated to celebrated Hong Kong artist Michael Lau. The issue not only spotlights his latest collaboration with Carhartt WIP, the "Flowers: Serendipity" collection and its pop-up exhibition, but also traces his artistic journey over the past decade since his 2014 solo show "{AR+OY} Taipei". It features a curated selection of 100 works, including many previously unseen pieces.
The entire release comes in a collector's box set, containing a special 100-page issue and a tote bag personally designed by Michael Lau. Priced at HK$88, the set is scheduled for a mid-August release at major newsstands, Eslite bookstores, and authorized dealers across Hong Kong. This is a highly limited release, with only 1,000 copies available worldwide, while supplies last.
offLINE was founded by a core team of editors from the renowned Hong Kong magazine "MILK". In an era of fast-moving digital content, the publication is dedicated to documenting Hong Kong's vibrant fashion, music, toy, art, and film culture through the tangible medium of print. The cover of this special box set features a striking combination of a portrait of Lau in his studio and visuals from his "Flowers" series, with the theme "HIS 100 WORKS" clearly highlighting the issue's focus. It masterfully compiles his latest collaborative project alongside a decade of his creative output into a single volume.
Michael Lau is a name that needs no introduction to designer toy collectors. Back in 2014, he held the major solo exhibition "{AR+OY} Taipei “Since Michael Lau”" in Taipei, which brought together his classic "Gardener" characters, figure production materials, original sketches, paintings, and large-scale installations.
This new special issue from offLINE picks up where that exhibition left off, chronicling his creative evolution and giving readers a fresh perspective on how Lau has progressively moved beyond the iconic framework established by his "Gardener" series.
Michael Lau first burst onto the scene in 1999 with his "Gardener" series, a groundbreaking project that fused G.I. Joe action figures with skateboarding and Hong Kong street culture. The 99 original 12-inch custom figures he exhibited at the time are widely regarded as a pivotal moment that helped ignite the global designer toy movement.
However, throughout his career, he has refused to be confined to the title of "Godfather of Vinyl Figures." Lau constantly moves between creating figures, painting, sculpture, packaging design, and participating in contemporary art exhibitions. Whether his work manifests as a toy, a canvas, or in any other form, it remains true to his core philosophy: "All Art Are Toys, All Toys Are Art."
In 2020, Lau began his "Flowers" series. He personifies flowers—everyday sources of joy and hope—by giving each one a unique expression and personality, aiming to convey optimism, hope, and love. These flowers are not confined to traditional gardens; they have moved into urban landscapes, street scenes, and everyday objects, cultivating an "inner garden" that resonates with everyone. This has become a significant visual language in his recent work.
The latest project, "Flowers: Serendipity," marks a reunion between Michael Lau and Carhartt WIP following their previous 12-inch figure collaboration, and it's their first-ever apparel collection together. Lau's hand-drawn flower characters are brought to life through embroidery and graphic prints on classic Carhartt WIP pieces like the OG Detroit Jacket, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and six-panel caps. To celebrate the launch, a pop-up exhibition titled "Flowers, Flowers Everywhere!" will be held from August 13 to 23 at the Carhartt WIP flagship store on Pak Sha Road in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.
This collaboration serves as the contemporary anchor for the offLINE box set, connecting his current projects with an archive of his work from the past decade to present a complete artistic trajectory from "Gardener" to "Flowers."
offLINE Michael Lau Box Set Special
Scheduled Release: Mid-August 2026
Hong Kong Retailers: Major newsstands, Eslite bookstores, and authorized dealers
Price: HK$88
Contents: Approx. 100-page special issue, Michael Lau-designed tote bag
Edition Size: Limited to 1,000 copies worldwide, while supplies last