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Playful Socks' journey began in Hong Kong in 2018, with the common goal between four youngsters to bring joy and playfulness to the ordinary - to give people a reason to smile. 

Designing unique socks is what makes Playful Socks great. Operating with a core belief that we "Do Whatever It Takes" to stay true to ourselves and to embrace who you are. Each design is meant to embrace culture, our surroundings and passions. 

We love showcasing Canadian artists and makers, sharing their stories, and celebrating their craft! Shopping local keeps creativity thriving and supports our community. 

Founder Claire Yates comes from a family of paper merchants. In 2013, she decided to put her own spin on the family business and launched The Lion Rock Press: a go-to for eco-friendly, Hong Kong-themed premium stationery and gifts. Since then, her business has expanded from a tiny stall at a Christmas fair to one of the most coveted stationery brands in Hong Kong. 

Claire's mother’s side of the family is Hong Kong Chinese, while her father’s side hails from Birmingham, England. The designs creatively explore these two cultures through the medium of printed stationery. Their greeting cards fuse HK-style graphics with very Western humour. Her great-grandfather founded their paper business almost 120 years ago and her 90 year-old grandfather and his brothers still work every day in the office.

Vince Chan is a multidisciplinary designer who draws inspiration from a wide range of artistic mediums, including drawings, collages, sculptures, paintings, textile work, and video. His creative process involves a continuous exchange of ideas between various elements. Throughout his artistic journey, Vince has drawn significant influence from Hip Hop culture, the beauty of decay, the nature of vandalism, and the allure of luxury design.

With a career spanning two decades in the clothing industry. From his early days in prepress to last role as the Director of Textiles, he has gained extensive experience in all aspects of applied graphics and textile print development. His work in these areas has contributed to the creation of innovative techniques and visually captivating clothing graphics and patterns.